New-York tribune., 1920-07-12
he Was Busy in Columbus
When Dayton News
Said U-BOats Committed
No Crime Against U. S.
His Attempts to Win
German Vote in 1916
Attacks on Roosevelt and
Hughes Addressed to
ssOur German Friends's
soecio, Dispatch to The Tribune

UAI IO1N, Ouio, cuiy AA.-00tSI-
nor James NJ. Cox was visibly per-
turbed to-day when questioned about
editorial articles that have appeared
in @The Dayton News" his news
paper here, during the last several
years, and which are proving ex-
tremely embarrassing to him as the
| Presidential nominee of the Demo-
cratic party.
Going back as far as November
II, 1915, when his newspaper said
sditorially that victory by Ger
many was not the worst thing that
could happen" there appeared a
number of editorials for which the
Governor took occasion to-day to
disclaim any personal responsibility.
As late as April /, 1917, few days
before Americas entry into the war,
Governor Cox's paper editorially was
dccrying any suggestion of sending
troops to Europe, and spoke scathingly
Of Theodore Roosevelt's efforts to raise
volunteer army for service abroad.
u do no. want to attempt to dis
claim the responsibility of a.publisher
for the editorial statements of his
newspapers, Cox said to-day. "But
dc wan. 70 emphasize that / did not
write one of these editorials myself,
! and did no. see them before they went
into the paper.
~ Refers Critics to Soldiers
I def5 any one to show Single
atteraHce or writing of mine ir: which
have said anything that aEy red
plOoded American could construe as
crloyai | stand on my record as
cHo's war Governor, and those who
would criticize me are directed to the
soldiers Ohio gave to the army. Thew
Satw where | stand"
TCox said the editorials in nuest;on
sere written by George F. Burba, then
editor of his newspaper. He said his
duties in Columbus kept him from
maintaining strict personal super
vision over his newspaper When his
attention was called to the fact that
the editorials in question had con-
uhued over considerable period of
Tune, offering plenty of opportunity
!or publisher to enlighten an editor
u the editors expressions did not con-
form with those of the publisher, he re-
lterated that he stood upon his record
A es OhiO'S war Governor
Besides" he added, "these editorials
were written at a time when the feel
iag OF the country was constantly
nuetuating. There were times even
~hen the relations of the United
0iates and Great Britain were threat
ssed with controversy over the British
blockade
\ defy any one to prove that I ever
sase questioned the part of the United
ssases In entering the war, or Ameri-
san determination TO carry on the war
"a triumphant conclusion.
J, now | have stood in this is best
mo"n by the manner in which / was
.irs.ed d oy the German vote in my last
section as Governor. Every voter Of
oelman sympathies cut me.'
scox pointed out that in Henry. Mer-
ssf, Auglaise, Defiance, Putnam and
monroe counties, where there is a large
p0pulation of German descent, he made
s.sery poor showing in 1918. He. did
pI mention Hamilton County, where
were Is perhaps the strongest German
saowlng, and which he carried by
"nsiderable majority.
LII. 4 nave been opposed to the German
nnal'ary ollgarchy from the moment
.asI the European war began" the Gov
ssnor SAID in conclusion.
ne then went, with his house guests,
wssoge and Mrs. T. T. Ansberry, of
wM;u1slnington, d. c., to his farm near
sm,u0letown, avoiding conference with
ssSs.spaper men which was to have
akep place this afternoon.
eox Never Criticized Editorials
srr NJ Burba, who is now editor Of
me Columbus Dispatch" said to-
nsas over the long distance telephone
MAJ MAJ governor Cox never had COM
sa.aed TO him about the tone or senti-
@Snss OF any editorials appearing in
u, nHs news" Rurba said that he wrote
g. soisorlals appearing in 1.-THE News"
~ .sv1 isl4 to May Is, 1917, and if any
~;.l = saese editorials did not conform
sssa. Ssh 1overnor Cox's viewpoint or sym
sss.s sasn,es the Governor had never indi-
t;cs tsssa .nls to him or given him instruc-
"yns w 70 discontinue them.
.0,sa mneh burba was asked by a Tribune
s.aespondent ~. whether the Governor
ss,ss s.s mad displayed displeasure or ever
ss,. u crticized the editorials, Burba
'FIs'ee that he had not.
.Sssm'ng the editorials specifically, the
c'espondent asked Burba whether
NJ ~ ever had indicated that they did
~ conform with his views.
.,. MIR. Cox disagreed with the ex-
s;sssslons ss;s in the editorials he never
~ 50 to me-" Mr., Burba replied.
Extended Over Long Period
These editorials extended over
s;,x!, ;x period Of time and were all Of 1
G.Ar tone. Am / to understand,
ss.a ssa. tnat during all this time Mr.. Cox
yiss yissss 81. SAID they did not represent his
- Mr. Busba was asked.
s,ssse stse never said so to me. and / was
Ing them," Burba replied.
MY you at any time ever receive
S,ssuer vs.uer from Mr.. Cox to discontinue
lung editorials Of this nature ~ he
s y, asked. .'@ '''s
i ua,d not" was the smphatic reply.
MIS- sss; your departure from sThe
any way CONNECTED with
ftlfssssement with Governor Cox over
Siai policy :" Burba was asked.
ia. vas not" he replied. "The Gov-
ana 4 were then and are now on
noss cordial terms. resigned
(caatinnad a. .ene a.