The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-19
G. 0. P. TASK TO
WIN WAR, TAFT
SAYS IN SPEECH
Republican Congress Best
Stimulus to War Action.
New York Convention Told.
tBy Associated P-ess.D }

SARATOGA, N. Y, July ia call
by William Howard Taft to the coun-
try to elect this fall Republican Con-
gress, which he declared would stfmu-
late the Democratic president by offer
ing constructive criticism of the ad-
ministration's action and inaction, and
by legislation. enlarge the nations
military preparations, was issued by
the former president, addressing the
unofficial Republican state conv vention
here today.
Referring 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
war. With Democratic congress,
waiiing the presidents lead rather
than co-ordinating with the executive.
he said, this will not be accomplished
with the promptness which is i'm.
perative.
The former president said in part:
Everything we do now and every
thing we say must help win the war.
The president has said, Politics is
adjourned He is certainly right, in
SO far os politics is to be used for per-
sonal ends or party triumph But pop
ular government even in war, must be
carried on by parties. Party spirit
must of course be suppressed where
it hampers or embarrasses. On the
other hand, party organization Of pub
lie opinion may be the best way to
secure needed government action.
That Is the present case The nation
needs the Republican party to give
popular expression to an affirmative
aggressive war policy It's success at
the polls in November will spur the
administration to adopt one A Re
publican congress will enact legisla-
ton to initiate and carry it on.
The achievements in war prepara-
ton may properly be claimed for the
credit of the Administration, whose
patriotism and earnest devotion to its
great moral war aims no one can uues-
ton. We need not dwell upon the
unfortunate delays in the manufacture
of rifles, machine guns, artillery, ships
and air planes 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 it by con-
gress. the wonderful national re-
sources from which it has had to work
and the military support it has had
from an intensely loyal, united and
morally united world.
Will Hays Speaks.
The presidents messages and ad-
dresses have been great in declaring
our moral aims in the war.
In framing practical policies for
carrying out our high purposes, how
ever, teh administration has not
achieved the same success. There is
always Q halt and a hesitation in
adopting the necessary course finally
entered upon.
The Republican party today supports
every possible means to win the
war now" demands a peace with vic
tory, and never peace by compromise,
and stands for the preparation now
for the solution of after-war problems.
Will w. Hays, chairman of the Repub-
lican National convention. said today
in addressing the delegates.
Just returned from a coast to coast
tour Of the country, and optimistic Of
Republican success this fall, Mr.. Hays
gave win-the-war talk, and in witness
of what his party was doing in Wash
ington. he said that for all members
Continued on Page Ten.)