New-York tribune., 1918-10-23
Former Presidents Urge
Michigan Voters to
Aid Newberry
Auto Man Attacked
For Pacihst Views
Colonel Says State Issue Is
"Americanism," Not
Party Planks
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune)

DEL kOll, Mich, OcJ. %-.-f Ormef
Presidents Roosevelt and Taft have
sent letters to Commander Truman II.
Nawberry, strongly indorsing his cam
didacy for the United States Senate
and vigorously attacking his opponent,
Henry Ford.
Colonel Roosevelt is very emphatic
in his attack on the Detroit auto maker,
saying among other things that the
ssue is "straight Americanism against
Z particularly foolish and obnoxious
sype OF pacifsm preached in peace and
3ractised in war" His letter said in
part:
"The nomination of Mr.. Ford makes
he issue sharp and clean. 1t is not
primarily an issue between the Repub-
ican party and the Democratic party,
1nr Mr.. Ford does~nnt seem to have
ny firm political convictions, and was
,outent to take the nomination on any
Get without regard to what the gen.
t,al principles of the men supporting
oast politics is so hazy that, although
ic tas mentioned a Republican candi-
ate for President for whom he thinks
re once voted, it does not appear that
MS is possible unless he is in error
. his own age.
.mericansm Is Issue
The issue is infinitely more I'M
por.ant tnan any merely political issue.
,, is the issue OF sllaight Americanism,
ii straight patriotism and OF prepared
less for the tasks of peace and of war,
as against q particularly foolish and
obnoxious type OF pacitism. preached in
eeace and practised in war.
"1hls is the first step in the history
o. our country in which candidate
or high Office has been nominated who
mas spent enormous sums of money III
demorallzing the people OF the United
states on matter of vital interest to
heir honor and welfare. The expendi-
,ures on behalf Of pacihsm by Mr.. Ford
m connection with the peace ship, and
~ connection with his great advertising
campaign in favor Of the McLemcre
resolution and of the pacifist and pro-
German attitude against our participa-
lion in the war, was as thoroughly de-
moralzing TO the conscience of the
American people as anything that has
evor taken place.
"lhe failure of Mr.. Ford's son to 90
approval by the father of the sons re-
4usal, represent exactly what might be
expected from the moral disintegration
Inevitably produced by such pacihst
Propaganda
ut would be grave misfortune to
'hc country to have Mr.. Ford in the
Senate when any question of continu-
NC the war or discussing terms of
neacc may arise
Mr.. Taft's Letter
Nh Taft's letter says, in part:
1T is of the highest Importance that
IN the settlement of the important
1ucsuons growing out of this war we
aould have men in the Senate of your
Iperiencc in governmental matters,
nd Of your political views. The Demo
ratio majority in Congress has not
aeen one upon which the President or
he country could depend for the adop.
or OF measures adequate to the VIM
ping Of the war. The people OF the
Nnited States can be much more con-
Ndent, if we have a Republican major
ty in both houses, that the Legislative
branch of the government will wisely
cooperate with the executive admins
tration and by constructive criticism
make that administration more etfec-
live than if Democratic majorities in
10th houses are retained
with MIR. Ford's known pacihst
viewa, carried TO an extreme indeed
nth his nondescript political atilia-
ions, and with his engaging in this
canvass simply at the instance of the
President. the people of Michigan are
placed IN Il dilemma in respect to how
he will represent them. He will either
go into the Democratic caucus and fol-
low implicitly the wish of the President,
who induced him to run, or no one can
know what ne will do, not even Mr.
Ford. IN contingencies that are likely to
arise"