The Washington herald., 1917-11-06

Bernhard. in his now famous or
infamous book. said that German
Americans were useful in American
politicsTuseful not, Of course, 70 the
nation TO which they swore al
legiance, but TO the schemes Of PAN
Germanism. That Potsdam was TAX
ing hand In American politics years
before the war began Is now well
known. In the New York mayoralty
contest tomorrow Potsdam is pri-
marily interested in the defeat OF
Mayor Mitchell. who stands sQuarely
for the national administration Ac-
cordingly the election Of any OF the
other candidates will please Berlin.
in varying degrees.
As there is no very general ex-
pectation that the Republican can
didate can win. he could probably
best serve his party. his country and
himself by Withdrawing, which he
will not be likely to do. His can
didacy. however, may end his political
career. For the people Of his city,
State. and nation will know where
TO put responsibility for injury done
TO the nation.
The. Democratic candidate, the
creature of Tammany and Hearst,
stands a better chance. His pro-
Gernanism, somewhat camouflaged'
makes him acceptable TO Potsdam,
but not so acceptable as Hillquit
The foes of Mitchell. In predicting
a big vote for Hillquit, are playing
the usual election game. Either the
wish Is father TO the thought. or,
more likely. there's bit Of camou-
flage in the expression OF IL. They
do not really expect Hillquit TO be
elected. but any vote diverted from
Mitchell Is a gain to Bennet or Hylan.
Both Republicans and Tammany re-
gard votes for Hillquit as thrown
away. Every vote they cannot get
they want thrown away. and Hillquit
is their choice for wasted votes. They
figure that he cannot get enough la
he elected, but may get enough OF
the votes they cannot control 10 de-
feat Mitchell, each hoping TO get a
plurality.
They are quite right in viewing a
vote for Hillquit as wasted. il Is
worse than wasted. Humiliaung as
IL is to Americans generally that its
two Eerat parties in New York should
resort to this insincere advertising OF
a candidate described by a member
of his own race as "seditious," some
rxcuse for this kind of camouflase
may be found In the insincerity of
those who use IL. 1t Is for them
merely a campaign dodge intended
primarily for suckers. They don't eI-
pect any one with horse sense TO be
fooled by il.
But there is little reason for he
lieving that the birthrate Of suckers
has recently diminished. There is an
evident increase among doctrinairG
pacifists. And IL the prophecies OF a
big Hil,duit vote are realized. a..
abnormal increase will have TO be
credited to the PEOPLE who imagine
themselves TO be Socialists or social
isticalIy inclined. II these want a
good. clear-Cut illustration OF what a
real Socialist is in this time Of world
crisis they can find Il in Ben Tillett
who has just been triumphantly elect
ed TO the British parliament as wal
candidate.
Ben TilIett is not. like Hillqult. =
rich corporation lawyer, but a reaI
worllingman. At the age Of S h'
went to work in a hrickyard. At ].
Z
apprcnticed to a shoemaker; Joined
the navy. was invalided: made sew
eral voyages as sailor; settled al
the Docks. Organized the Dockers
Union and led the great strike o'
lSS9 He was imprisoned in Antwerp
and Hamburg and elected from botf
having gone there 10 assist strikers
At a Socialist congress before the
war he proposed that, in the event
OF a declaration Of war. that the
workingrlen in all the countries in
Volvcd should go on a general strike
to prevent IT, When he asked Ger
man Socialists 10 support this emf
nently socialist program he got this
reply: I'VE are Germans; We arc
rot allowed TO take such action.
The Kaiser knows now all he wants
to know about you. He knows you
are afraid and he can do what No
wants" Since the war began Ben
Tillett has visited the hattie front a
number Of times. He has delivered
thousands Of speeches calling for an
abundant supply OF munitions, and
on his war platform has Just been
returned TO parliament. He is real