Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-25
The President US. the Politicians.

The rank and file OF thoughtful Americans
have no patience with the political spleen and
craftsmanship that seek to weaken the Admins
Iration and to cucumber its prosecution of the
war. Senator Stones attack Repubh-
can leaders, i'll advised and regrettable
though it was, did not mark the beginning of
partisan tactics. For months past, both in Con-
gress and out persons and interests whose patriot
ism is unfortunately tinctured with political
financial virus have conspred on every hand to
discredit the war programme and war methods Of
President Wilson and his official associates We
do not refer, Of course to open-minded, cOnstrue-
tive criticism, which is always to be welcomed,
l but to that querulous, petty complaint which re-
veals in its every tone and gesture the animus Of
personal partisan interest With that spirit, the
vast majority Of Americans, whether Democrats or
Republicans. altogether out of sympathy, for
they see that it is handicap if not grave menace
to the cause that lies nearest their hess
This strategy has resulted, deplorassSs enough,
in misguidfng minds which heretofore have
been admirably clear and steadfast in support Of
the Administration. 1t was with painful astonish-
ment that the country heard Of Senator Chamber
Iain's unwarTanted remarks on the conduct Of the
war and of his proposed legislation for so-called
WAR Cabinet" the inevitable result Of which
would be to emba-rass and weaken the Executive
Department. When Senator Chamberlain declared
that the military establishment OF America has
fallen down" and that there is fneficiency in
every branch and every department of the United
States Government" he forfeited all claim to the
pubIic's confidence in anything further he might
have to say. For by those unfounded assertions
which doubtless win hearten Germany as much as
they amazed this country, he showed that he is
either strangely uniformed strangely indiffer-
emit to the Governments vast sum of achievement
since our entrance into the The Senator's
utterances to be accounted for partly. perhaps
by the fact that he was speaking extemporaneously
. in New York City to the Republican Club and the
National Security League-one Of which organiza-
lions is constitutionay doubtful of any good com
ing from Democratic control and the other of which
considers war efficiency impossible until certain
net projects OF its own have been adopted IT is
to the Senator's credit that on the following day
ne retracted what he had said concerning the Gov
eminent as 2 whole, limiting his criticism to the
War Department But it is distinctly to the dis
credit of his judgment. to say the least that he
ever fell into such i'll adyised and really baseless
chatter
When President Wilson. replying to the Cham
berIain statements tells the country that "the War
Department has performed a task of unparalleled
magnitude and difficulty with extraordinary
promptness and efficiency" the people believe the
President And they believe him when ne adds:
My association and constant conference
with the Secretary OF War have taught me to
regard MIN as one OF the aDiest pubnc oHi-
ciaIs I have ever known The country soon
viii learn whether he his critics under
stand the business in hand"
IF ever President demonstrated executive ability
and mastery or affairs Mr.. Wilson has done so.
Faced by extremely difficult problems and ire
mendous tasks from the earliest days of his ad-
ministration, he has gone on from year to year
establishing record Of performance unexampled
in American history. Time and again in spite of
towering odds. he pressed his plans to con-
summation and fulfilled his pledges to the country.
Why, then, should we not trust him now In the