The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-01
ROOSEVELT AND
TAFT JOIN IN
PARTY APPEAL
Statement Signed by Two
Former Presidents Urges
Election of G. OPP.
(By Associated Press)

NEW YORK. Oct. 31.-Theodore
roosevelt and William H. Taft issued
here today a Joint appeal for election
OF Republican majority In congress.
Inc statement was said to be the first
ever composed and signed by two
former presidents of the United
States.
Seated at table in the Union
League club. they prepared the state
ment and discussed old times at the
capital, while it was being typed
The appeal follows:
We approach this subject as Amer.
leans and only as Americans. When
this war broke out we would have well
coined action by the president which
would have eliminated all questions
OF party politics. 1t would have en-
abled us all to stand behind him to
the end, without regard to anything
except nationa consideration. In
stead OF this partisan lines have been
strictly drawn from the first and now
the President announces that only
Democrats can be entrusted with fu-
ture power and only those Democrats
who do his will. Because Of the reflec-
ton on other patriotic Americans, we
appeal for fair play.
Problems to be Met.
THE next congress will serve from
March 4. 1919 to March 4, 1921. In that
period:
First, the war must be fought to
unconditional surrender, unless this
Is achieved before.
Second, the term OF world peace
mist be settled
s'Third tho nap,ooro@io .lu.;.a.x.-
ton. after expanding billions of treas
ure and exercising more absolute pow
er than any administration in our his
tory, must give an account of it's stew
ard ship.
Fourth, the change from war condi-
tons to peace must be brought about
with the least disturbance and the
work Of reconstruction must be broad
ly begun.
"A Republican congress will be
much better qualified, than one con-
trolled by Democrats. to aid the coun-
try in adopting the measures needed
for those four great tasks.
Show War Support.
First, as minority party the Re-
publicans made the winning of the
war possible by passing the original
draft bill. Were it not for this we
could not trained and landed the g.
100000 men now in France. AS a
minority party the Republicans forced
upon reluctant president and secre-
tary of state, after an injurious delay
of four months. the amended draft
act, without which we could not put
two more millions at the front next
July. The speaker, the leader and the
chairman of the military committee
of the democratic house opposed the
original draft with all the vigors pos
slble. 1t was saved. and SO our coun-
try's cause was saved by the Repub-
lican minority.
Second, the new senate must ap-
prove. by two-thirds vote, the terms
of peace. Those terms should be set
tied not by one man. 1t is one man
control we are fighting in this war TO
suppress. II the peace treaty is to DE
useful in the future, 1t must be accept
ed by the great body of the American
people. The president has indicated
a willingness to make peace by ne
gotiation. He has not demanded as
he might have done in three words,
that which the American people de-
mand, an unconditional surrender. His
exchange of notes with Germany has
caused deep concern among our