New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-04
National Committee in Wis
consin Statement Throws
Down Gauntlet
I.enroot Accused of
La Toilette Deal
Shift From Loyalty Test for
Congress Campaign Cred
tied to Wilson
Bv c. w. Gilbert

cratic National Committee issued to-
day the following statement on the
Wisconsin election:
"Wisconsn is heavily Republican,
when the La Toilette faction is CO.
oneratng with the 'stalwarts.' The
Senatorial primary vote demonstrated
that these factions were about evenly
divided, hence Mr.. Lenroot. the nomi-
nee. recognized that he could not be
elected without securing the La Fol-
lette vote which had been cast for
Thompson in the primary.
"In the primary contest Mr.. Lenroot
made his fight upon the loyalty issue.
After the primary he and his sup
porters sought to bring both factions
together in complete accord, arousing
partisan feeling in every possible way,
even to the extent of courtng the La
Toilette and pro- German vote within
the Republican ranks.
Authoritative statements in Eastern
newspapers assert that this change of
tactics by Mr.. Lenroot was advised by
the Republican national organization.
The circumstances of the case need no
comment 1t is sufficient to say that
if the national advisers of Mr.. Lenroot
deem party unity so essential that they
are willing TO advise compromises with
and concessions to Mr.. La Toilette and
his associates, success in Wisconsin
won in that way will prove a very cost
ly victory
Says Issue Will Return
I'VE are gratifed that Mr.. Davies
made no overtures for the support of
the pro-German vote. offering no op-
portunitv for its cooperation and de-
liberately spurning it throughout his
entire campaign. He stood for 100 per
cent Americansm, and typihes that
character of our citizenship, whether
in Wisconsin or in any other state.
The Wisconsin campaign has made the
issue, and we welcome it. This issue
which brought victory of doubtful
value in this contest will return again
and yet again to plague those who have
made it,
That statement means fight. It
means that the Wisconsin campaign is
gong to be repeated all over the coun-
try. 1t means that the Congress cleo
tions next fall will involve a bitter
partisan campaign, with the likelihood
OF defeat for an Administration that is
earring on the war.
Ihe issuance of the statement caused
great surprise here. Only yesterday
Senator Kenyon got telegram from
the chairman of the Democratic State
Committee of Iowa telling him no op-
position would be offered to his re-
election on the ground that he had SUP
ported the war.
Senator Nelson, in Minnesota, is to
nave no opposition unless this state
ment OF the National Committee changes
the situation. And the same is true Of
Senator Borah, Of Idaho. IN Iowa,
moreover. it was understood that only
congressman Hull, Woods, Ramseyer
and Haugen, who voted wrong on some
OF the loyalty issues, would have any-
th'ng more than formal opposition
from the Democrats.
Wilson for Non-Partisan Plan
The President, moreover, had himself
written letters, including the one to
Mr.. Davies, the Democratic candidate
~au OF to be one between Democrats
and republicans, but between men who
mad soted right on the war issues and
men sho had voted wrong on them
sverything seemed to be shaping it.
ser Tor non-partisan contest next fall
with Republicans who passed the 10y
slty Test free from opposition, so that
II the election went Republican, as is
generally expected here, Mr.. Wilson
could say to the world that the result
cio not affect his position, but men
were returned without regard to party
s''rt az strong war supporters.
,,ihis Democratic statement changes
Az mat. On the authority of "ccrta in
Eastern newspapers" Mr.. Lenroot is
seensed Of having made a partisan fight
~ "lsconsin and Of trying, on the adj
siee of the national Republican organi-
.atlon, TO bring about party unity, even
~ me point Of counting La Toilette and
pfo-1erman votes. For this the Repub-
seSh party IL indicted. And on this
DAs's an attempt is 10 be made to inject
ioyaity issue into the Congress cleo
t1ons next fall
/, y SEEM ss certain that this programme
sag the PrcHident's approval. for the
sational committee would hardly have
tIe.n'ufcd upon it without consulting
err. ala Moreover, Vance Mccormick
Sc',effnan of the Democratic National
- sp..,,n't1ec y, Haw the President to-day
~ me meeting Of the War Cabinet.
Loyalty Issue Called Mistake
t.sal,. ~ 10 tho the possibility Of raising q
at5 NSpe On such a basis M this
~! assnpef1 Of Sr. Wilson'S party believe
az. ! : ,. m'stkc. Leading Demo
~ believe that Mr. Wilson'x letter
sgs' nc party the.election in Wiscon-
sih. But the i'rcMjent has been very
aen impressed VIII the loyalty issu,
Jnee the recent special Congress
Seetions IN New YoL' Iita 'N'"' '"''
apparently, what Lppcned in Wiz
n's,n confirms him { The belief that
81 can make persol.j issuc of the
1ampaiga appealing foignpnort on the
sropn1 .rs shat he has VIZ w'Dn on his hands
sap.. ssp m,'se ba2e a Congr.s Of his own
pa.W - support him.
nSa.nnt his plans Iics be pyajn rec.
s Ma o' Iie Republicans iibotb hougcs
uhese 1otes haye repeatsty sayed the
S,s'aDerath from ,dHfeatr Who nave
'hs'ed some Of the MOI vital war