The Washington herald., 1918-10-28

kinds are to be released during the
two days-more, In fact than have
hitherto been apparent in the Con-
gressional chambers. So
Republicans, while openly feigning
disgust with the Presidents "uncon-
ditional surrender" statement to their
party, are rather elated at what has
happened. Some OF them count on
great things. At least they insist
that it will be possible for them to
begin a new and telling political
offensive which might not have been
possible had the Executive not thrust
himself into the equation.
Democrats, however, are letting
their adversaries go ahead. They say
the Republican leaders reckon with
out their host. They declare the re-
suit is now assured of bringing about
both House and Senate domination
by their party. They APPROACH the
election polls feeling not at all like
quarry slaves" They are conf
dent OF the result and they are will
lug to let the Republicans rave on"
Meanwhile the Presidents pro-
nouncement brings distress and en-
barrassment TO some quarters.
For instance, millionaire Kent, as
he is alluded to in Nebraska-the CAL
ifornia member OF the Tariff Com
mission-is said to have contributed
heavily to the Norris Senatorial cam
paign in Nebraska, and to have done
many things for the downfall OF the
Democratic candidate there. (Yes,
the same candidate the President de-
clares he wants to see elected0
1t is not often the case that one
OF the Presidents aPpointees is found
distributing money to bring about the
election of men whose services, the
President says, would be an embar-
rassment and a discouragement to
him. But this is the case here, and.
of course. likely 1t will be for the
happy family to settle when the time
comes. The Republicans are not OBJ
jecting to the contribution of money,
but are rather nonplussed over what
they are fearing will be the cause
of some discussion between the Pres
ident and Mr.. Kent
Mr.. Kent, it is said in his defense.
would not contribute money to the
election OF either Mr.. Penrose or
Mr.. Lodge, were either of those Sen
ators running for reelection this
year. His principal reason for help
ing Norris, strange to say, is that
he admired Mr.. Norris expose Of
Republican highhandedness several
years ago and his fight against Re
publican standpatism.
The people now have 1t put up to
them to accept leadership from the
President in precisely the same man
ner members Of Congress have been
asked and have at various times ac-
cepted leadership from the same
source.
1t will be interesting therefore to
see what the verdict will be.
If the total vote in favor of Demo-
cratic candidates for the lower House
is greater than the total vote for
Republican candidates, it will be
known here that presidential leader
ship is accepted by the people and
by them. in turn. reCHired of the men
who represent them here
If the total vote Of Republican can
didates, however, is greater than that
of Democratic candidates the ques-
ton will be at least a debatable one.
No great outcry has been made. but
It is a fact that the constitution Of
JdpdHs WHICH up 10 liA4S LllilF llci0 bt'Al
little different than the constitution OF
Germany, is undergoing a marked
change.
The power is being vested more
freely and more securely in the hands
of the people-as it should have been
long ago in both Germany and Japan.
The remarkable thing about the
change is that it has come, not as a
result of the handwriting on the
wall" observed from Germany's plight,
but from a steady. insistent demand
from the people of the Oriental coun-
try, apparently apart from any out
side considerations. 1t is such a de-
mand, for instance, as might have
come if there had been no war in the
world at the present time.
This amendment of the Japanese
constitution is of the utmost interest
in this country. For it means if that
country is to ever be asked for adop-
ton of a war resolution against this
country-as some of our rather preju-
diced friends think sometimes when
they discuss the japanese question
it will have to come through popular
channels rather than through the easy
channels such as Germany and Japan
have made available in their consd-
tutions since their establishment.
For our part we think the democra-
tization of Japan will be as helpful
to that country and as productive or
good relations in the future with the
rest of the world and for peace of
the world as the democratisation OF
any other country.
What is to be the new national
issue?
B. F. Harris, a prominent Illinois
banker, says it will be socialistic de-
mocracy against safe and sane re-
lease OF the genius of American in
dividual enterprise with due regard
for the peoples welfare.
He holds that socialistic democ-
racy is as unsafe as autocracy and
gives vent to these observations on
the subject.
"socialistic democracy, the oppo-
site of autocracy, and possible for
period only in small group. stands
much for license, impulse, demagog-
uery, anarchy and chaos as the
autocracy stands for reaction, op-
preston, bondage, tyranny, coer-
clon: whereas the republic-our re-
public Of the United States, the
standard of democratic government
was created to exemplify reason,
order, progress, justice. statesman
ship-the government administered
through representative agents and
the legislative branch and dwarfed
by the executive or judiciary.
The attitude of the autocracy to-
wards property Is feudaIistic; to-
ward law, that the will of royal rule
prevails regardless.
The socialistic attitude toward
property is communistic; mob-mind-