The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-15
Is This What Men Are Dying
For?
{ New York World \

New York WORLDLY
What is back OF some Of the Repub-
Ican criticism of President Wilson 3
diplomacy and some of the Republican
opposition TO his peace program is
frankly and shamelessly revealed by
the American Economist, the organ
of the American Protective Tariff
lea gue
Replying 10 the Worlds questions
In what way will the election of a
Republican congress hasten the win
ming OF the war; In what way will
1t assure more satisfactory peace O.
the American Economist tells the
American people that they are not
lighting for liberty and democracy and
civilization, but for money and mar
keiS We quote its exact language:
In the great issue of 1918. far
more Is involved than the release
Of nations from the tyranny of
Germany. True, that is the rally
ing ground-the reason why the
allies and the boys from America
are hehtlng so desperately.
But back of all the shouts for
liberty and freedom Is the hare,
cold fact that this is an economic
a"y and security
Continuing, the Economist says:
A conclusive and satisfactory
peace in 1898 needed that undi-
NIded support of the American
people. 4 conclusive and salts
factory peace in 1918 would like
wise need the undivided support
Of the people, provided nothing
but liberty and justice were in
Nolved
But the present war Is now an
economic war. -
Hence, President Wilson must be
beaten in the fall election because he
has declared in favor of the removal
OF all economic barriers between ma
lions '-meaning that there must be
no special and J secret trade. "a gree
lafa & Nl'h~ proposed Democratic
peace program also contemplates a
league of nations" and that must be
blocked by "A prot &c ZIONIST congress -
The American Economist may not
seem Important in itself, but il speaks
tor The American Protective Tariff
league, and unfortunately the Ameri-
can Protective Tariff league in the Re
publican organization in all economic
matters. Every Republican tariff
schedule has been dictated by the pro-
'eoted manufacturers who constitute
this league and fill the campaign
chests of the Republican treasury.
Thus the Economist gives us the
first authentic definition of an Old
Guard peace-ztne kind of peace for
which the Republican organization is
battling in the congressional elections
individual support OF the President
might be all right If nothing but
laF ffs,a
reactlonary Republicanism is not con-
cerncd about liberty and Justice. This
is 'an economic war" and an eco
homie war Is one which pays dividends
TO big business
There are hundreds OF thousands Of
Republican voters in the American
army There are hundreds of thou
sands OF Republican fathers whose
sons are fighting in France, There
are thousands of Republican mothers
whose heroic boys have already given
the last fun measure OF devotion.
We wonder what they think OF this
cold -hlooded. sordid, mercenary prop
ositlon that the American Economist
puts forth in pleading for Repub-
iican protecuonist congress- We won
der what they think Of the claim that
their sons have not been fighting for
human freedom. have not been fight
ing for the liberty of mankind: but
have hattled merely for economic gain,
for dirty dollars 90 be stuffed into the
swollen pockets of Steel and Wool and
Cotton How many of those patriotic
Republican men and women would
IKE TO stand beside the graves that
dot the fields of France and be told
that these dead did not die for JUS
tice and civilization, but for SEIZED
ule n?
Yet is there the slightest reason
to doubt that the American Economist
speaks with authority as to the policy
that rcactonary Republican CON
gross will pursue toward peace? Is
there the slightest reason to doubt
that a Republican majority under the
present leadership of the party means
that if there Is any possible way to
bring il about. the blood of 5000 0N0
dead soldiers is TO he capitalized for
the profit of protected industry?
If SO. We trust that there is al least
one Republican in the house or sen.
ate who viii have the courage to stand
up and protest in the name of Abra-
ham Lincoln against such "A revolving
prostitution of humanity's tears and
blood.
-Buy Liberty Bonds---
Wile-N ell. you've seen the lawyer
Did YOU extract any information from
him?
Hubby--No. He did all the extract
ing First he extracted my story from
me. then he extracted s25 from my
pocketbook
---buy Liberty Bonds-
Erring kid--~Looka here, dad, next
time you whale me don't pull any
more of that ITS going to hurt me
more'n IL does you" stuff. cause /
know that's just a stall