The Washington herald., 1918-03-29

The ship controversy, which mem-
bers OF both parties have fought
over in the Senate several times dur
ing the past three or four years, was
again to the fore yesterday.
There were points on both sides.
If war had been foreseen no ques-
-tion but what SOME kind of a ship
ping bill would have been passed.
But it would hardly have been the
kind that was proposed.
But both sides We're confident that
in spite of the lowering clouds we
would be able to remain out of the
conflict. There was no other thought
than that. of course. some of the
leaders were desirous of seeing
America enter-and that at the first
moment. too-but the majority Were
against this course, at that time.
Later events made it impossible TO
remain neutral. however. We had TO
plunge in and we had to do so with
a depleted supply of ships.
We cannot waste time discussing the
past. 1t Is futile to do so. The only
thing we can do is go ahead in the
future. The Shipping Board has lost
enough time now to make our prob
lem infinitely harder and both House
and Senate should realize this and
cut out the debate on this particular
matter.
We need ships all right-that is true
but We cannot get them by talking
in Congress. There are other things
to talk there.
Col. Harvey made the suggestion
that it would be very wise to leave
President Wilson where he is II the
war should go on for the next year
or more. And he appears to urge the
same step even if the war would end,
for he thinks the Presidents under
standing of the diplomatic situation,
and his expression of the ideals and
peace aims of the allies. should COM
mend him for a place of settlement
when the time comes to halt this
mammoth slaughter.
With the additional Harvey state
ment that there should be no Con-
gressional elections this fall, natural
ly. will be found a general sentiment
in the entire House and slightly over
one-third of the Senate. In other
words the members who have to run
would be perfectly willing to give up
the race this fall and accept two
years more without question of their
right to hold on.
The feeling may be somewhat diff
ferent in the nation at large. AT least
there are districts i'm which the mat
ter should come up again with some
vigor.
Young Hays. who has accepted the
leadership of the Republican National
Committee. is having his try-out in
the Wisconsin campaign. That is. II
| he elects Lenroot there II will be n
| feather in his cap. If he does not it
| will make him an embarrassing pic
tur in the party counsels.
Vice President Marshall said In De-
cember that under no circumstances
would he make a political speech or
a speech in behalf of candidate for
| office during the tendency of the war.
| But he is now in Wisconsin. The
deep desire of President Wilson to
| have Joe Davies in the Upper House
| is responsible for the change in the
Vice Presidents attitude so 1t is said
| on the Hill.
We wonder II the Surgeon Generals
| Office will take the hint from Mr..
| Brisbane:s paper and locate man,
moth convalescent hospital in Mr..
Hearst's part of California? Mr..
| Brisbane had an alluring editorial
brief in favor of it in a recent issue.
and surely after such an effusion the
medical authorities could not refuse
| the request. We are surprised that
| Mr.. Brisbane was so modest, in his
article. as to stop short of publishing
many other things which perhaps
might have persuaded the department
officers much more to give serious
heed to his words.
They confidently expect President
! Wilson and other leading Democrats
to turn to protection after the wal
/ as eagerly as he and these same Derh-
ocrats have eorsaken some of their
cardinal party tenets during the pro-
| gress of the war. The hope Is not q
vain one sd we are told in certain
quarters Tfsrs are little steps esins s