Arizona republican., 1918-10-26
Republican A. P. Leased Wire]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-President Wilson in statement today addressed to his fellow counGymen asked them to return a democratic congress in the November elections if they have ap- proved of his leadership in this critical time.
 Failure to return a democratic ma jority to both the senate and house of representative, the president said, not only would seriously impair his power to administer the great trust assigned me by the constitution" but would be interpreted abroad as a repudiation of his leadership.
 The presidents action electrified re- publicans at the capitol, who issued formal reply in the name of the party leaders in the senate and house and the chairmen of the senate and house re- publican congressional campaign com mitteeS.
 Supported Policies
 The republican statement, declaring the minority party in congress had supported the administration policies since the war began with an unanimity and an absence of criticism unprece dented in party history, pointed to the record as proof.
 The war, the republican statement contends, is not the presidents per sonal war" nor the war of congress, nor of a party, but of the American people, and declares the republican party, representing more than half the citizenship of the country, demands it's rightful share in the burdens and re- responsibilities it imposes"
 "Would Hasten Victory"
 If given a majority in either or both houses, the leaders said, the republican party would drive forward the war and hasten victory and would "check the waste now going on of money given by the nation.
 Several senators and representatives, both republicans and democrats. issued personal statements during the day and most leaders on both sides prepared for the debate which was expected in the senate when it reassembled Mon day after the weekend recess, and possibly in the house.
 President Makes Appeal
 Following is the presidents state ment:
 My fellow countrymen:
 t'The congressional. elections are at hand. They occur in the most critical period our country has ever faced or is likely to face in our time. If you have approved of my leadership and wish me to continue to be your unembar- rassed spokesman in affairs at home and abroad, I earnestly beg that you will express yourselves unmistakably to that effect by returning a demo- cratic majority to both the senate and house of representatives. 'l Am Your Servant"
 
 your judgment without cavil, but my power to administer the great trust as signed me by the constitution would be seriously impaired should your judg- ment be adverse and I must frankly tell you so because so many critical issues depend upon your verdict No scruple of taste must in grim times like these be allowed to stand in l the way of speaking the plain truth T have no thought of suggesting l that any political party is paramount in matters of patriotism. I feel too deeply the sacrifices which have been made in this war by all our citizens ir- respective of party affiliations, to har- l bor such an idea. I mean only that the 1 difficulties and delicacies of our pres 1 ent task are of a sort that makes it 1 imperatively necessary that the nation | should give its undivided support to the 1 government under a unified leadership and that a republican congress would divide the leadership.
 Minority is Pro-War
 "The leaders of the minority in the present congress have unquestionably been pro war. but they have been anti administration. At almost every turn since we entered the war, they have sought to take the choice of policy and the conduct of the war out of my hands and put it under the control of instru- mentalities of their own choosing. This is no time either for divided counsel or for divided leadership. Unity of command is as necessary now in civil action as it is upon the field of battle. If the control of the house and the senate should be taken away from the party now in power. an opposing majority could assume control of legis- lation and oblige all action to be taker amidst contest and obstruction.
 Europe Might Question
 "The return of Republican majority
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