The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-01-28
A NATIONAL CALAMITY


 
 The address of Senator Stone, made yes terday in the senate, in which he charges Roosevelt with pro-Germanism, and seeks to einbroil the present congress into the most bitter of partisan political warfare, will, if 1t has this effect, prove to be national ca lamity of wide import. We can see nothing to be gained by his bitter denunciation, and from all indications are inclined to doubt the truth of his charges.
 Senator Stones conversion to unqueStion- ed Americanism is not so far back in the past but that it can be recalled and events of his unregenerated career brought to mind which brought to his own head the term "ally of the kaiser" He was one of the wilful twelve who so vigorously attempted to thwart the will of the people and the recommenda- tion of the President for an immediate decla- ration of war against Germany.
 Under his direction a small group of senators blocked the passage of the armed merchantmen measure asked for by the Presi- dent prior to the declaration of state of war, but after the break in diplomatic rela- tions, and when every intelligent man real ized that it was but question of time until we were forced in. For this he was ad- judged as either lacking in intelligence or in loyalty to his government. His support of the President in the first special war session of congress was that of politician rather than of patriotic statesman. His record for statesmanship was won in partisan war fare and not in constructive legislation. But with his return home, following the adjourn ment of the war session, the senator appar- enty saw a great light, and was one of the first supporters of declaration of war on Austria. It can thus be seen just how re- gently the senator's lamp of patriotism was permitted to shine.
 The senator's speech yesterday was de- livered in spite of the warnings and against the wishes and advice of the Democratic lead CTS in the senate Men upon whom the Presi- dent is dependent for pushing important mea- sures through the senate tried to prevent Stone from his vicious attack, realizing that it would probably plunge that body into bitter partisan warfare, from which measures i'm perative to the welfare of the nation and of the world must inevitably suffer. The smooth running machinery which has been heretofore oiled with the common purpose of support ing President Wilson in his war measures will be wrecked by the friction of party poli- tics, if the Republicans take up the challenge contained in Stones speech. The Democratic leaders knew this, and would have turned him from his purpose, but he would not be denied.
 It is to be hoped that the Republicans refuse to accept the challenge, and continue the unswerving support which has hitherto been extended to the President. Only in this way can Germany be defeated. The charge that Roosevelt is an ally of the kaiser is too foolish to cause anything save amusement for the colonels vigorous Americanism is too we'll known to need any defense This is no time for party politics. If Stone succeeds in bringing about partisan war, he will have accomplished more for Germany than all of her spies and sympathizers together have been able to do in the ten months since the war started And there is nothing else which the noted senator's address can accomplish.