Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-29
Monday, April %, 1918.
Truly, this world can go on
without US if we would but
think so.-Longfellow.
Republican Criticism"

ldlS'IO't, l'i' No up vi. INcoGSHN.- ~
q recent statement as follows:
In recent signed statement for a
newspaper. Colonel Roosevelt penn ed
this patr otto and inspiring bit:
The free nations stand at bay in
the cause that Is ours no less than
theirs; and after over year OF war
the army we have sent to their aid
is smaller than that OF poor, heroic,
ruined Belgium.
Indeed? Well. in August 1914. Just
before the war began. the Belgian army
numbered about 10000 men. Naturally
with the ravaees of war and the slaugh-
ter OF its soldiers. it has diminished
rather than increased since then.
Does any sensible observer believe
that the United states has less than
10000 men now in France? Docs Theo-
dore himself believe it?
Does the Kennebec Journal think
such statements as this one of ROose-
welt is a fair criticism. constructive
in its motive, or simply made for po
litical effect? Doesn't this indicate
that the Republicans are pursuing
policy of criticism simply for politi
cal advantage? How about it?
-Waterville Sentinel
Our Democratic friends cannot re-
sist the political opportunity of the
hour, the chance to slam any and
all Republicans to their hearts con-
tent from behind the defense OF Re-
publican loyalty and whole hearted
support of the administration. For.
be it known. that any Republican
writer or speaker who can be nagged
and sncered into giving the facts, is
"unpatriotic" and is pursuing the
administration"
The Boston Post and the Water
willie Sentinel have asked a question,
the fairness of which may be Judged
n the light of the fact that the press
Of the country has been asked to re
frain from giving the answer.
We perhaps know as nearly as do
most of those who insist on refer
ring to it, the number of American
troops in Europe. We are not talk
ing about it. other than to let our
readers know that we are absolute
~ confident in the present strength
VI VIC III teS. IL america ndu
rot 10000 men over there were should
still be confident, with Gen. Foch ev-
cry giving devastated territory and
comparatively few guns, for great
numbers of dead Germans.
But the sentinel from its high pin
nacle OF fortified administration holi-
ness, demands a reply to the poiti-
cal poppycock. We are to reply
squarely and then we NAV be ex-
cused by our readers and those
who read our ncighbor for asking an
honest answer to question of our
Lropoundng.
We do NOT think that part of Col.
Eooscvclt's statement pertaining to
the number of L. s. troops in France
is true TODAY. We sincerely hone
it is not. and we hope it is being
made less true every day. We ar,
glad to say. publicly and privately
that We believe our government il
tio" pcHdinS us every energy 10 rap
id shipment of equipment and troops
We certainly hope that our conf
being accomplished. will be justified
when all the facts are known. We
arc saying such things every day
ana we claim for the great majority
OF the Republican press and Repub-
lean citizens the same kind of loyal
support OF the administration in its
every move to speed up" tho war
and to drive it to an carly conc,u-
sion.
We claim that there is not now and
never has been any dragging nf
feet" by Col Roosevelt or by any
other Republican to delay the pro-
ercss of the administrations wa-
progress-all criticisms have been Of
lack Of progress.
We have claimed and we now claim
that the insistent demand of the
American people has driven the ad-
ministration in its war work and tina.
the present progress is due largely &c
popular urgings to push ahead. and
popular demand that bureaucratic
red tape be cut. and political favor.
itism be cast aside during the war
The New York World (every mo.
ment with the administration SAYS:
Among the speakers at the Dime,
OF the American Newspaper Publishers
Association. including Secretary Bakel
ana secretary Daniels, there was gen
oral agreement that frank and full crit
icism Of the conduct OF the war is neces
sary.
That goes without saying. But Their.
are numerous newspapers and poIiti
cians that seem to think that nothing
else is really necessary. Criticism ha,
It's essential place in war as well as il
peace" 40 -
Our criticisms Of the administra.
ton since state Of war was de.
clared. have been few and always
with the purpose of correcting some
policy or lack Of policy. where the
correction would make for greater