New-York tribune., 1918-10-25
Members See Economical
Danger in Presidents
Third Clause
Democrats Resist
Republican Attack
Effort to Prevent Irritating
Tariffs, Explanation
in Debate

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24.--Republican
contentious that the third clause in
President Wilson's fourteen peace
terms, providing for the removal Of
economic barriers, is free trade plank
furnished the vehicle of a political de-
bate in the Senate o-day. Senator
Thomas, of Colorado, insisted that the
President merely meant there should
be no prohibitive or irritating tariffs
Senator Watson, of Indiana, and other
Republicans declared the Republican
party objected to fixing by peace treaty
or any other treaty the domestic policy
Of the United States.
Senator Thomas referred to protests
by Chairman Hays of the National Re-
publican Committee and others against
contentious made by Democratic lead
ers that Republican victory would be
interpreted by the Kaiser and our enc
mics abroad as reputation of Pres-
dent Wilson.
Solitary Contest Doesn't Count
Asked by Senator McCumber, Repub-
lican, of North Dakota, if the last SEN
atorial election in Wisconsin, when
Senator Lenroot, Republican,, was
elected, had any influence one way or
the other on the German people, Sen
ator Thomas said he did not think SO,
but added that there is vast differ
ence between a solitary contest and Il
general election.
lie read extensive abstracts from
speeches made by Colonel Roosevelt,
former President Harrison and Sen
ator Lodge in 1898, in which they urged
the reelection of President Mckinley
on the ground that to defeat him would
give cheer and comfort to Spain, and
would, in effect. be a Reputation of his
, conduct of the war.
"lf that was true in 1928 it is true
in 1915" declared Senator Thomas. at
is more eminently true because the war
is not over and because q comparison
between the wars makes the other one
insignificant"
Senator Smith, Of Michigan, Rcpub-
lican, referred to conditions preceding
the Spanish War, and said President
Cleveland had refused to permit this
country to declare war on Spain.
"Clevcland was greatly admired by
the Republicans" said Senator Thomas.
"Hc was very good man, but in my
opinion he'll go down in history as the
arch destroyer of the Democratic
party"
Senator King, of Utah, Democrat,
said President Mckinley after his cleo
tion failed to interfere, and that
eighty-ninc Republicans organized in
the House and threatened to act jointly
with the Democrats favoring war with
Spain unless the President should
change his attitude. That, he added,
was after the Maine had been sunk
Senator Smith said the Utah SEN
ator was partly wrong in his facts,
adding there never was any question
about going to war after the Maine
was destroyed
Senator Williams, of Mississippi,
also charged that "stand by the Presi-
dent" was the Republican slogan in
1898, of which every advantage was
taken.
"The argument was unfair then, and
is unfair politically now," Senator
Williams said.
Senator Smith said President Will
son had earned the gratitude of the
American people, but that he was not
entitled TO dictate to the Michigan
electorate who should be elected
Senator.
Senator Williams pointed out that
the President has not confined his ef-
forts to Republican states and cand-
dates, but went into Georgia and Mis-
sissippi, where, he said, Democratic
Continued on page three