Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-08-22
acts Are Facts

Here are some facts in the war rec
ord of our War Governor:
Favored an embargo on arms, munitions
and food This would have prevented
France. Italy, England and Belgium from
preparing themselves against Prussian ag-
gressiOn.
In a speech at Prairie du Chen, our War
Governor said:
In the fall Of 1915, two years before
the declaration Of war, at time when
ernbargoes were being discussed l made
the following statement to q Wisconsin
audience: L believe in the interest of
humanity it would be better if would
refuse TO give any war supplies 10 any
country in Europe, including bread, if
that were necessary to starVe out the
war;
Opposed the seIectiye draft Law. The fol-
lowing telegram to Senator La Toilette, on
April 10. 1917, bearing this out:
4 recommend that you oppose plan
of CONSUMPTION suggested by the general
staff and reported by the press as being
urged upon congress at this time. IHe
state OF Wisconsin stands ready 70 fur
nish its full quota of the National Guard
as provided by the military defense act
Of June 3, 1915 promptly, or any addf-
tional force required to meet the pres
ent requirements. We can recruit volun-
teers much faster than are receiving
equipment and supplies. The spirit of
troops viii be much better if we
adhere 10 the volunteer system, and we
shall avoid sore spots at home if we
to be military necessity. AS 1 see it,
public sentiment is not ready for COM
pusory military service, and 1 trust
that nothing will be done by Congress
that viii make the war unnecessarily
unpopular with the people.
EMANUEL I. Philip,
Governor"
Opposed the American policy, a definite
stand taken by him in the following tele-
gram to the Philadelphia Public Ledger,
March o. 1917:
I'VE are not interested in the causes
that lead to the war between the
tcnte and central powers of Europe.
our grievance against Germany rests
entirely upon her Interference with our
commerce, growing out Of her subma-
rine blockade.
believe it should be our policy to
avoid European entauglements and keep
ourselves in position to conclude a sepa-
rate peace, whenever grievances
against Germany has been satisfied.
We should not sacrifice Amrican life
upon European soil to settle disputes
that do not concern US.
Therefore we should not send Amer
lean soldiers across the Atlantic. For
the present at least, our warfare should
be directed against German submarines.
We should increase our naval strength
as fast possible, by adding fighting
ships and transports and raise an army
OF a million men in preparation of our
defense in case that invasion by Ger
many be attempted.
Congress should Immediately author
ize a large war loan and make liberal
fund available with which to meet any
emergency.
EMANUEL L. Phillip,
Governor"
our '"War Governor" on the 25th day of
June 1917, appointed Meta Berger, wife of
Victor Berger, as the one woman on the
central board of education, when Victor
Berger had been member of the resolu-
lions committee which reported into the
Socialist convention the plank in the Social
list platform which was adopted on the 18th
day Of April. 1917, declaring eve brand the
declaration Of war by our government as a
crime against the people of the United
States and against the nations of the world"
He vetoed the Wilcox Armory Bill.
lie vetoed the Wilcox War Sur Tax Bill.