The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-10-29
ELECTION RESULT DEPENDS
UPON ANSWER TO GERMANY

W. are on the verge of a biennial national election. We
are in the midst Of a national campaign that has come upon
US with as little warning as a midsummer shower.
Whether we desired it or whether we wished that it might
be avoided does not alter the fact that it is with us, and the
postponement OF its arrival has only tended to sharpen the con-
flict and add an accumulated fury to the contest,
President Wilson has said to the American people that the
return of a Republican majority to either house OF the congress
would, moreover, certainly be Interpreted on the other side OF
the water as a reputation of my leadership"
There is no denying that, as he has said very temperatcly
while the Republicans "haye been pro-war they have been anti
administration" and the country would be confronted with
a grave danger if there should be a divided responsibility, with
the congress refusing to sustain the president, and the president
vetong Republican legislation.
The contest between the two parties has reduced itself to
the question Of which may be the more safely Entrusted with
the prosecution Of the war.
There will be developments within the next few days that
will throw a flood of light upon the situation, even it they
do not prove to be the determining factors in the November.
election, and also in the presidential election two years hence
President Wilson on Wednesday last submitted to the allied
governments, at the solicitation of the German government, a
request for a statement of the terms upon which they would
grant an armistice.
The answer will not be delayed, The answer will be made
to President Wilson, and he, in turn, will transmit it to Ger
many along with his own answer.
The presidents answer, in our judgment. will determine
the result of the congressional elections in the contest between
Democrats and Republicans in doubtful states.
Senator Lodge, as the spokesman for the Republicans in
congress, and Col. Roosevelt, as the spokesman for the rank and
file of the Republicans, have taken exception repeatedly to
expressions used by President Wilson in his diplomatic
exchanges with the representatives Of the German empire.
1t would be futile to deny that continued criticism of the
presidents language has produced a vague apprehension, not
confined alone to Republicans, but, VIC believe, wholly unwar,
with the terms which the allies will impose upon Germany
before an arnstce will be granted.
We believe and we hope that these expressions, coming
from the leaders of the Republican party, are insincerc, and
voiced for a political purpose, In the light of the presidents
consistent attitude on this subject we can discover nothing upon
which to base the conclusions his political odversaries have
arrived at, except an overwccning desire to gain a temporary
advantage from the dissemination of Republican propaganda.
1t is apparent, therefore, that the president holds in his own
hands not only the result OF the November election, but the fate
of the Democratic party, which, alter all, perhaps are the least
of the issues involved,
He will have spoken before Nov. 5. His answer to Ger
many will be his answer to his Republican critics,
II the president and the heads OF the allied nations present
= solid front, unbroken by the sinister efforts OF the German to
create a division, then the charges Of the Republicans will be
shown to the world to be unfair, unjust and unpatriotic, and
the penalty will be the reputation of the Republican party at
the elections.
IT, on the other hand, the president should, in any meas
ure, Justify the apprehension that the Republican leaders have
sought to create, the Democratic party cannot commend itself
to the American voters.
The American people are for a war to victory; they are
for unconditional surrender; they are in sympathy with the
aims and purposes OF the allies, and they are going % express
that sympathy in battle and in ballot,
In the good year 1918 the American people are going to
vote like they shoot.
There are issues in the November election OF especial
moment to the people OF Tennessee,
A gumshoe campaign is being made by the Republicans OF
East Tennessee to create enough interest to overcome the
lethargic Democrats of Middle and West Tennessee.
Senator Shields is opposed by II. Clay Evans Of force
bill" fame. Judge Roberts, candidate for governor, is opposed
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entirely out OF sympathy with Woodrow Wilson and his policies
Senator Shields stands for a vigorous prosecution of the
war. He favors any legislation looking to the most effective
means of securing a complete and an early triumph over Ger
many. Judge Roberts, as the head of the state government, will
have the powet to lend hearty cooperation in the carrying out Of
these plans.
The Democrats Of Tennessee must not think that the day
of the force bill has passed. No later than Dec. 5, 1916, Senator
Penrose offered it as an amendment to a bill that was then pend
ing, and every now and then it comes up in some form,
The people Of the United States cannot afford TO turn The
conduct of the war over to a party that is "pro-war and anti
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mean the continued success Of the administration. We don
know which desire is uppermost in their minds.
If the people OF Hungary are to have freedom and politca
autonomy they would do we'll to unite and act as a homegrown
population. 1t will not do for every little race and clique ant
clan to demand recognition as a national unity
God made the world in SIX days, but it will take Sin cen
turtles to make over and rebuild Europe and Cure it OF the deyas
tation of the present war.
The wounds which the Huns inflicted ON Belgium ant
Northern France may heal. but the scars will always remain
Gen. Foch is the most reliable pcacemakcr We have.