The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-19
WILSON PLAYS
POLITICS, SAYS
TAFT IN SPEECH
Wants DOcile Congress That
Will Follow Orders.
Politics Not Adjourned Where
Democrats Have Chance.
PRAISES WILSON'S WAR AIMS
His Utterances Fine, but He
Delays Vital Actions.
Constructive Criticism Will
Help Win War.
PRAISES WILSON'S WAR AIMS


William Howard Taft to the country
to elect this fall a Republican con-
gress, which he declared would stimu-
late the Democratic president by Of
fering constructive criticism of the ad-
ministration's action and inaction.
and, by legislation, enlarge he nations
military prepare tions, was issued by
the former president, addressing the
unofficial Republican state convention
here today.
Reiterating his advocacy of an army
of 100000 men, Mr.. Taft told the
delegates that now is the time to raise
the great force NEEDED to win the
the war. With Democratic congress,
waiting the presidents lead rather
than co-ordinating with the executive
he said, this will not be accomplished
with the promptness which is impera-
tive.
Says Wilson Plays Policies.
While conceding the masterful abil-
ity of the president in stating the
country's aims in the war, Mr.. Taft
asserted that the administration has
not had the same success in forming
practical war policies. He criticised
also the tendency of the administra-
ton ito allow party considerations too
much sway in its appointments to i'm
portant tasks" and declared that
politics has not been adjourned" as
indicated by what he termed presi-
Dental interference in the party af-
fairs of Wisconsin and Michigan
The former president said. in part:
Republican Congress Speed War.
Everything we do now and every
thing we say must help win the war.
The president las said, Politics is ad-
journed.' He is certainly right, inso-
far politics is to be used for per-
sonal ends or party triumph. But
popular government even in war, must
be carried on by parties. Party spirit
must of course be suppressed where 1t
hampers or embarrasses. On the 9TH
er hand, party organization of public
opinion may be the best way to Sc
cure needed government action. That
is the present case. The nation needs
the Republican party to give popular
expression to an affirmative aggres-
sive war policy. It's success at the
polls in November will spur the ad-
ministration to adopt one. A Repub-
lican congress will enact legislation to
initial and carry it on.
Must Give Kaiser Knockout Blow.
1.-THE present administration is to
remain in power two years and a half.
BY that time, even tho the war con-
tinues. our then military strength
must leave no doubt of the result. We
are not now concerned with the ma
tional election of 1920. That may take
care of itself Its outcome will de-
pend upon circumstances which one
cannot now foresee. Our present task,
as patriots and Republicans. is to help
the present administration organize
the potential force of this country into
a knockout blow to William of Hohen-
zollern and his compliant German
people.
Wilson and Republicans Put Draft
Over.
What can we fairly say of the
preparations for the war by the ad-
ministration? We must admit that TO
change a peace-loving democracy like
ours into a nation which shall make
an effective modern war on huge
scale is no easy task. There must be
waste of money. effort and time in
such a transition. Much has been
done by the administration and well
done. We should not minimize in any
degree the credit due to 1t for our
conscription law. It was indispensable
to carrying on this war. 1t was dem
ocratic in it's principle and effective
in it's operation. 1t could not have
passed but for the efforts of the presi-
dent and the Republican minority. Its
execution. under the able, directing
hand of the judge advocate and pro-
vost marshal general, has been ad
mirable.
Administration Deserves Credit
"Other achievements in war prepa-
ration may properly be claimed for
the credit of the administration, whose
patriotism and earnest devotion to its
great moral war aims no one can
question. We need not dwell upon the
unfortunate delays in the manufac-
ture of rifles, machine guns, artillery,
ships and airplanes or the costly
blunders of the coal administration.
They should be used as lessons The
credit of the administration for the
work which has been done, however.
should not be exaggerated by ignoring
the great powers freely given 1t oy
congress, the wonderful national re-
sources with which it has had to
work. and the militant support it has
had from an intensely loyal, united
and morally outraged people.
Refused Aid of Able Men.