The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-11-01
Feverish Activities of Cam.
paign's Closingaeurs
OvershadOw - CO.
Negotiations
COMPLEX SITUATION
BATTLES VETERANS
Republicans Profess Conf
dence, but are in Doubt
astO Wilson Plea on
Rank and File

The New York Herald's Washing
ton correspondent sends the fol-
lowing interesting and impartial
summary OF the political situation as
viewed by /. veteran journalist at the
national capital
President Wilson's appeal to the
country to return a democratic Con-
gress has rrecipated national politl-
cal contest which has eclipsed even
the public's interest in the war. New
er before in the history of the
country has an off year
Congressional contest excited so
much feeling. The interest extends
from coas1 to coast and rivals that
which p-ccedes the settlement OF
Presidential contest.
1t is we'll understood in Washing
ton that tbr Presidents decision to
appeal for the election of democra-
tic Congress was opposed by proml-
nent political leaders, who saw in it
danger from the democratic view
point. These men professed to be-
lieve the PRESIDENT would have an
initiated The republican party if he
had taken it into his confidence and
relied upon the successful outcome
of the war for the prestige which
that would give They also objected
on the ground that in making the
appeal TIE President was compelled
to admit the equal patriotism of th'
republican organization as compared
with the democratic, which, in turn,
| left the Inference to be drawn that 1t
was personal loyalty which the Pre-
sident sought rather than loyal ad-
herence tc the cause of the country.
They frankly feared a bareback
from the appeal. But since it was
made there, is absolute unanimity OF
democratic belief that it will be back
ed up. They realize that since the
President has asked for vote of con-
! fidence failure to receive it would
have extremely serious consequences
to the democratic party. The lnten-
sity with which they feel this is as
sumed to be responsible for the some
what vlole,,ts political arguments ad-
vanced by certain members of the
cabinet, .mong whom Secretary Dan
iels has assumed prominent position
because OF his Characterization OF the
republicans as "Junkers."
Just what the effect of the appeal
upon the country at large will be nc
one is able now to determine. There
are certain outward indications which
may be easily interpreted. Never
since the split in the republican party
over the Taft-Roosevelt contest ha;
there been such unanimity of spiri
among republican leaders, whethe1
they we're cnce Old Guard republi
cans or progresives Men like Borah
Medill Mccormick, Miles Poindexte
: and others are joining hands with re
presentatives, of the regular republi
cans like Lodge, Smoot, Nelson AM
others.
t Reports from all over the countr
/ received at Washington are to tn
e effect that the republicans are eight
= ing mad" and that there has been
:, remarkable realignment of the party
e The doubtful element of the situatio
lies with the possible effect of tn
appeal ar,ong the rank and file o
the republican party, which like tn
rank and file of the democratic part
is intensely loyal to the country an
has been taught to regard party line
lightly in the last few years. Demo
Gratis hope and republicans fear ths
It this eleuicn3 of the party will prefe
: to support the President now Will
8 the war is i'll progress and leave part
7. matters 10 be settled later.
n Despite these elements of doub
t. republican leaders believe the appe;
+ to the country has fallen on des
d ears. They insist the country is n
n more of the opinion that the succe:
D, of the Wal depends upon the electio
N of a democratic Congress than VIZ
the Senate impressed with the belle
n that the psssage of the woman su
j. frage amendment was necessary
its successful prosecution.
They declare that the present den
cratic administration was erected
the aid Of the republican votes al
IN that the country acted upon the a
sumption i was electing a par
group to l,t ep the country out of w
rather than to conduct one.
e. One Of the issues that republica
be maintain will be clearly settled on t
F. contest is whether the country b
rd lieves the war should be fought to
al definite conclusion or whether the
W. should be & settlement by negoti
# ton. Senator Lodge, who would b
IL come the chairman of the Forei
le- Relations Committee of the Sena
in the event that body becomes repu
lican, has left no doubt of his po
" ton. He stands for unconditior
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