The Washington herald., 1917-03-07
What. Leading Newspapers
Say on the War Situation
Amending the HuIes.
Nov York Tmes.l

) tNsw Yok TimesJ
A Maori chieftain once spoke con-
unuously for thirty hours In the Aus
tralian Parliament. Even Mr.. La Fol-
iette could not rival that exploit, but
though the individual voice may fail the
unchanstng evil purpose runs on, and
with the aid Of q few accomplices q
Senator bent on obstruction to the last
ditch might defeat any legislation to
which he was opposed Doubtless the
President should have asked for special
authority to arm ships when he ap-
peared before Congress on February J.
It Is probable that in the four weeks
then remaining OF the session the fill
busters might have been worn out or
driven to cover. It 10 not certain, how
ever. 1t Is only q probability. When the
country has once been disgraced and
made contemplate in the eyes Of the
world We can no longer trust to chance
or probability. the Senate must be as
sured of its power to transact business
II Is not conceivable that a majority of
the Senate will very often be resolved
upon vicious enactments. Under our new
practice OF electing Senators by the
people there Is greatly increased prob
ability that irresponsible and ungovern-
able cranks will now and then be elected to
that body. The country must not be
at the mercy of cranks or OF men alien
in heart, disloyal Americans.
The Region of shame.
New York Sum-
1t Is worthy Of notice that only two
Of the States that seeded from the
Union were disgraced last week by the
conduct of men whom they elected to
the Senate. These are Mississippi. dis
graced by Vardaman, and Arkansas.
shamed by Kirby. OF the States Of the
hAP
head but O'Gorman passed from the
stage with this. the act Of infamy which
New York will never forget or forgive.
But these are only three Of eleven.
It is the West. once the West of glory,
that has poured the fullest libation Of
iEnominy at the feet of the Prussian
Moloch.
The Supreme Duty.
New York Tribune.l
There is no question OF political
advantage. The shame Of the Senate Is
divided between the two parties, and II
the Democrats will henceforth hnd the
association with Stone difficult Repubh-
cans will not find 1t less difficult to con-
tinue TO act with Cummins and La Fol-
lette There can be no partisan ques-
ton raised when members OF both parties
have combined to betray their country.
dishonor their nation and abandon their
fellow countrymen to foreign murder for
the sole purpose of preserving votes for
themselves in their own districts
This nation of ours is slowly but surely
coming to Il realization of things as they
are Shameful as have been recent
events, there is in them reason for hope
and not for dependency. 1t is not time
TO indulge merely in reCrimination or in
despair. We have all of US to do what
we can to contribute to the totality of
patriotic determination and to make audi
BILE and visible that national Will which
is the will to defend American rights and
liberties
Senator stones Chairmanship.
New York word.)
BY grace Of seniority alone William J.
Stone of Missouri. is chairman OF the
Senate Committee on FOreign Relations
This committee is the active agent of
the Senate in that body's association with
The President as the treaty-making power
of the United States. II Mr.. Stone ever
has had by education. temperament or ex-
pericncc any qualifications for this posi-
ton the fact has not been disclosed.
From the day when the awful tragedy
of the Lustiania cast its shadow over the
world until the present hour. when. as
the leader Of a small minority in the
Senate. he stands momentarily triumphant
over the wishes of his Countrymen to
maintain their rights at sea, he has been
in unCeasinE conflict with the administra-
ton and with public opinion. A man who
practically defended the destruction of
the Lusitania became logically the NOV
ing spirit in the contemplate Senatorial
cabal which defeated the bin authorizing
the President to arm merchantmen
against such attacks.
In 1871 a greater man than William j.
Stone was deposcd from the chairman
ship of the Senate Committee on For
eign Relations, and for much less cause.
Charles Sumner in that capacity refused
to support the Santo Domingo anneXa-
ton project His detection from Pres
ident Grant was not sharper than Mr..
stones detection from President Will
son. That quarrel was largely personQl
and II involved no question OF foreiEn
sympathy or prejudice; vet 1t brought
humiliation upon Sumner from which he
never recovered
William ]. Stones unhtness for this
high station would be recognized even in
humdrum times. When there is need of
a mansSunder no suspicion of German
affiliations it becomes too glarins to be
ignored.