The Washington herald., 1917-04-10
The Pre.ident'. Powers.
tchriaian sciepc. Monitor,

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tchrisian Science Monitor.)
The government of the United States,
whatever Its faults may be at other
times. as humanity organized system,
becomes In war model OF simplicity
and efficiency. Then practically all
power centers in the Executive. Admin
istration, in its largest sense, is dele
gated to him. As Commander-in-Chie
of the army and navy he exercises con-
trol over all OF the nations armed forces
ON land and sea. He can make or un-
make generals and admirals. He can di-
rect or alter all campaign plans. He
can move armies or fleets as he chooses.
He may seek or accept advice. but he
may, at his pleasure. ignore or reject It,
He Is the war council of the nation. He
not merely symbolizes the power of the
democracy over which he rules, but he
possesses and exercises that power. He
Is virtually a dictator. His commands
are absolute. No other ruler on earth Is
clothed with such unlimited discretion,
airy authority. Yet he never ceases to
be the servant Of the people, II his
powers are great, so. also. are his re-
possibilities. He must keep constantly
in view the time when he will be called
upon for an accounting.
1t is the prerogative of the Congress to
declare war, and to vote supplies; but
the President Is the instrument through
which the wishes Of Congress are carried
out. There is no need of new enactments
There is no need of enlarging the de-
partments or of celebrating their func-
tions. The one word Executive" is all
embracing. command beginning by
order of the President" is backed by
the strength of the republic. The ma
chinery is. as 1t were, automatic. 1t is
all but perfect, and, wonder of wonders
1t is democratic. -"
Latin-American Allies.
New York Timesl
There are clear Indications that the en-
trance of the United States in the world
war will soon be followed by the acces-
sion of new allies besides the republics
OF Cuba and Panama, which have already
declared war on Germany. This morn
ing's news dispatches strongly encour-
age the hope that nearly all of the South
American republics will lend their
strength and influence to the support of
this country. Brazil. indeed, is expected
to declare war within a few days Re-
sentiment there of the sinking of the
Parana is general and is forcibIy ex-
pressed. Brazil is an important country,
with population OF "a. 900. 900 and a con-
siderable navy. While Washington still
thinks that German influence is too
strong in Argentina to permit similar ac-
ton there, that view is not borne out by
the attitude of La Prensa. the most in
fiuential newspaper in Buenos Aires and
/ is contrary to the impressions of Vice
President Allen. OF the National City
Bank who has just returned from a long
stay in Buenos Aires. where he was in
daily contact with representative citi-
zens. He reports a strong pro-alIy feel
ing.
In Peru anti-German sentiment is
strong and while the attitude of Chile
Is az yet undetermined. close observers in
Santiago feel sure that she will soon en-
ter the war against Germany Guate-
mala is the one Central American coun-
try in which a disposition has thus far
been manifested to support the action of
the United States. President Estrada is
a statesman of exceptional ability, and
he has organized and trained an army to
be reckoned with in that part OF the
world. His support of this country would
be valuable in case OF trouble with Mex
leo. The entrance of these Latin Ameri-
can countries in the war would put a
check upon any possible German efforts
to make use of Caribbean and South At
lantic harbors for the coaling and pro-
visioning of undersea boats, and would
effectively end the operations in those
waters of occasional German raiders The
moral influence, however, of the co-opera-
tion of our southern neighbors would be
of incalculabIe value
Put the Lid on Liars.
Baltimore American)
1t Is time now for the government
to put the lid of its adequate sup
preston upon the archliars in the ser
vice of Germany. This does not mean
that aimless or sentimental idiots, but
the maliciously informed and probably
paid agents of Berlin. 1t matters not
whether they have American citizenship
or not; II they have. the offense Is the
fouler. They are now circulating and
using one of the major German organs
for the purpose of making a charge IN
the guise of plausibility that is In
essence a lie. This Is the letter of one
Ahlborn, asking the Secretary of State
why the British order warning neutraIs
out of the North Seas had not been