Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-10-23
OCTOBER %, 1915
THE REPUBLICAN POLICIES.

The role of the republican party in
the national cunciIs is at present that
of intelligent and constructive criti-
cism-as is befitting for a patriotic
minority party But if the country
returns a republican congress in No
Vember, its role will be that of con-
structive action.
The question whether the country
would be wise TO return n republican
congress turns upon the question
whether such a congress would be
likely to render the country better
service in constructive accomplish
ment than a democratic congress.
Since both parties are actively sup
porting the administrations war poll
icies, and are promptly passing what
ever war legislation the administra-
ton asks for, the return of republic
can congress would not mean national
disapproval of these war policies and
these war measures 1t would mean
that the country had more confidence
in n congress organized under repub-
lican auspices rid of parochial south
erners in important committee chair
manships and equipped to take up not
alone the present war problems but
the scarcely less oxigent after the war
problems.
Will II. Hays chairman of the ma
tional republican committee, in re-
cent message to the American people
stated with cogency the reasons for
his belief that the country sorely needs
a republican congress. The republic
can program has been summed up by
Mr., Hays in these items: Do every
thing possible to win the war; make
peace by victory and not by compro
mise; prepare now to solve the vital
reconstruction problems after the war.
The third item of this program is
being almost completely neglected by
the democratic party. While every
other belligerent nation in the world
is making ready to rebuild and to
reach out when peace comes, the
American government has done little
or nothing in that direction.
We are, as Mr. Hays says, drifting
along the ways of the moment without
thought of preparations for the NOR
row." This, he adds. is IAN ingrained
characteristic of our opponents short
ci "
paration was made for war in 1914,
1915 or 1916, just so in 1918 is no
preparation being made for peace"
We were watchfully waiting for
two years and more of war; shall we.
continue merely to wait watchfully
for what is to happen after Tie war?
Take the matter of shipping and
trade. We are now building a ire
mendous merchant marine, because
we must have 1t in order to wage war
successfully What are these great
fleets to carry after the war? What I
measures are being taken to insure
them profitable cargoes?
Our present navigation laws make
the operation of American ships so
costly that 1t is a question whether
even with our efficient methods of
loading and unloading, they can COM
pete with the ships of other nations
after the war. AS the New York
Times itself democratic, says.
'The attempt to repeal our naviga-
ton laws would light up internal fires
and the failure to repeal them would
keep our ships idle. II a policy oil
drift is followed, the situation is near
ly sure to become ACUTE
A republican congress is needed to
put an end to the present policy of
drift, and to put under way construc-
tive measures that will widen our
trade after the war and keep our great
merchant fleets busy. @aa
And this is only one Of the many
problems, economic social, financial,
diplomatic, that loom large in the
future. A congress that is chairman
ned as the present one is, cannot be
expected to do more than enact with
an ecquiescence more or less grumbl- !
ing the measures required of it by the
administration.