Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1918 — Politics Dragged Into War Situation by Stone Speech [ARTICLE]

Politics Dragged Into War Situation by Stone Speech

There is a season for silence and a time for speech and certainly the present was about the most inopportune period that Senator Stone could have chosen for launching his tirade against the Republican partjfr in general and Colonel Roosevelt in particular. The administration had plenty, of trouble on. hand without precipitating a political riot to 'distract attenton for the work of winning the war. The Missouri Solon accuses the Republican party of playing politics and calls Roosevelt “the most seditous man of consequence in America.” Colonel Roosevelt has already gone to Washington and no doubt there will be some developments from time to time that will not add to the peace of mind of the men-who must assume the responsibility for the conduct of affairs. ,

If party and personal government chooses ,to fling a challenge into the face of its political opponents at a time when the best thought of the entire nation should be devoted to war interests then it is probable that the result wifi be all that could have been anticipated. ;

The Republican party has lent every aid possible to the administration in providing the legislation needed to make the war a success. -In numerous instances it was republican votes that gave the president the things that he asked and could not have got at the hands of his own party alone. Meo have voted to vest vast power in the hands of a few meir, voted thus perhaps against their better judgment, but with the belief that .if the power were properly employed it would facilitate the work of the administration. No sacrifice was considered too great undgr the circumstances That mistakes have been made is admitted on every hand, and that some of them should not have been made would seem to be assured from the fact that criticism is so hotly resented in every quarter. The fuel administration has broken down under the responsibility that was placed upon it and the business of the nation has been brought to a standstill in an effort to let the crippled department catch up. ,

We have been at. war nearly ten months and yet we are importing coal from England, and our troops in France are dependent upon our sorely pressed allies for guns and ammunition. The lack of equipment for men in the cantonments is a matter of common knowledge, the vast delays that have taken place under the bureaucrats is known to all and yet President Wilson declares this morning that Secretary-Baker is one of the most efficient public officials he has ever known. Mr. Wilson has the sympathy and the good wishes of the people, but in view of the things that have happened before and are happening from day to (day he cannot make the public believe that Mr. Baker or Mr. Garfield are big enough for the positions they are attempting to fill. Against his comfortable assurances stand the records of the shortcomings of these departments. The president is demanding much more than he is apt to be granted when, in view of the record of the past ten months, he asks that criticism be stilled. It will-not contribute to the nation’s success for the people to attempt to ignore the truth. The logical, sensible thing to do is to remedy the defects whereever they are fopnd. There is presidential opposition to the proposal that a war cabinet be created and the bill that has been introduced providing the necessary legislation will doubtless be a matter for much controversy. But until there is more evidence of departmental competency the legislative branch of the government is very apt to look with uneasihess upon the entire situation and will not be quick to extend more power than is already vested. This war is a bigger thing than any man or party. The fate of the entire people is at stake and much as we should all like to see events move in orderly procession to our ultimate good, that is quite too much tb expect. The greatest evil that has been done is the shattering of the public faith and this will not bfe best mended by attempting to distract attention by accusing the opposition of playing politics. This is the people’s war, not the war of the Democratic or Republican party, and there isn’t the least doubt upon earth-but what the people will be able to place the responsibility for mistakes where it properly belongs. The fat is apparently in the fire and politics is to divide honors with war measures to. a degree that is to be regretted. Although no legislation that should be enacted will be withheld, there will be an inclination to insist upon a. little more strict accounting of the trust that is vested in individuals. So far as Colonel Roosevelt is concerned, he will be quite able to take care of himself whatever develops, and if it does not develop fast enough he will probably give it a' shove. While none of us may be termed pioneers in the preparedness movement because we slumbered too long,' it is a fact that Teddy was calling for action wheri other prominent men were assuring us that there was no danger. Such a scandal as this was inevitable and it is just as well that it should come before we get further into the business of war when the effect would be even more detrimental. —Lafayette Journal '•