The Washington herald., 1918-10-16

constructive and not destructive.
Thus far, we would say offhand.
| though. his remarks have been con-
siderab bly, overcome by the Presidents
discreet and effective way OF hand
ling matters. While the Presidents
position is gradually growing strong
er and being understood by the peo-
pie of the country T. RS position Is
steadily growing more untenable.
Monday evenings reply of the Pres
ident Is a masterpiece in that 1t hits
! more directly than any other note or
statement at the very big trouble which
brought on the world holocaust-the
German military autocracy. The note
| makes II plain what the Germans
must accomplish 10 make real peace
possible. Indeed II they have not al
ready accomplished this-the over
| think II will be accomplished before
| these lines are very cold.
So We say. Mr.. Roosevelt. pide
your time and let the President play
the diplomatic game. He is much bet
ter at this than you are. 7. r.. and the
results he gets are likely to be more
popular with the people and more
stabilizing in the settlement Of the
real words Problem.
Mondays note OF President Wilson
Is the apex. From II everything
must date.
The peace uegotiations-ir such
we may call this mere exchange
of preliminary ideas-will either re-
suit in Germa II move showing de-
sire to end the AFFAIR or they will
show some move which will warrant
US going ahead with the big fight
just as IL there had been no ex-
change OF notes.
Senator Lodge aud other RepubH-
cans are rebuked in the tone of this
latest document Their wish to
make a partisan issue OF some kind
or other out OF this very critical
time in American history falls fiat.
Not merely because they failed TO
interpret what the German govern
ment apparently had on its mind.
but also because they failed to see
what impelling forces lay behind the
bulk of America in supporting the
President in his trying hour.
We note with amazement I'm an
evening paper: "UncIean restaur-
ants will be closed now that the
influenza epidemic has become so
acute"
At other times. OF course. these
unclean restaurants may run to
their hearts content spreading the
ordinary diseases where and how
they will.
1t is a shame that IT took an epi-
demic of such tremendous propor-
tions to bring the seriousness of
restaurant operation to the atten-
tion of the health authorities.
Anyone with half a nose for rot
tenness could have found many an
eating place and grocery At for the
closing all summer long. But not
even the half a nose seemed to
have been possessed by some of
our public health authorities, for
they allowed-and still allow to
some eXtent-the existence of eat
ing dispensaries which would not
last overnight in some OF the States
we've lived in.
There's no telling what may be
the extensive programs thrust upon
lawmakers when they return from
their campaigns.
The news is at the Capitol that
some elaborate things have been
thought out which will be given
White House incentive and launched
upon their careers with more than
ordinary force. The President
friends are insistent that his pro-
gram shall be kept up all along
the line and they are ready to back
to the utmost any OF the advance
steps he deems necessary to the re-
construction of this country and the
world after the waves have stilled.
Much talk is occasioned over the
third OF the Presidents fourteen
propositions, which has to do with
the removal of trade barriers be-
tween nations bound together in the
new world pact.
Republicans. or some OF them at
least. take IL to mean that free
trade is to be summarily thrust
upon the country in the new con-
struCtion and that Installed in our
affairs in the peace treaties It must
then dominate our affairs no matter
what party may subsequently hold
dominion over us. The phase has
not been given extensive airing
but it will he before long. II we
hear correctly.
Introducing Mr.. Palmer. OF the
Houston Post, who has come to us
to run the newspaper affairs of the
War Industries Board
Mr.. Palmer IS newspaper man
through and through, first This is
considerable in his favor. IL we think
as the newspaper proprietors would
have US think. He is determined to
instill business principles in the mat
ters with which he holds active COM
munion and certainly none of the
newspaper gentlemen whom we have
met will object seriously to this.
Seriously. though. Mr.. Palmer has
an important task and from giving
him the once-over with more than
a scrutinizing eye we believe he will
meet all requirements. Only We wish
we could have several thousands ot
the newspapers OF the country go
! with Us and meet him as we have
done. We are egotistical enough to
think the greater share of them
would agree with our sum-up of
him in the one word: 'JudiciOus"
And If he continues to he this he
will not only earn the gratitude Of
the newspaper owners and editors
and newsboys. too. but he will de-
serve the thanks of the American
public as well. For some Of the
things he is doing are making for
the obliteration Of the inane. vapId
American paper and elevating and
exalting the sensible. up to the mo-
ment newspaper which is careful. in
dustrious. reliable and loyal