Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
3 THE FATHERLAND
Behind. (gfe Scenes az‘ z‘[e Capital
pecial Correspondence of THE FATHERLAND.)
ASHINGTON, D. C.,- February 2nd.-Washington was taken
completely by surprise when Secretary Lansing on Satur-
day informed the newspaper men who called at the State Depart-
ment that they could not overstate the gravity of the situation in
regard to Germany over the Luritaoiia case.‘ Statesmen were puz-
zled to discover a reason why the country should be driven to the
verge of a war nine months after the sinking of the vessel and after
the public mind had been lulled into a state of security by reiterated
assurances that the negotiations with Count von Bernstorff had pro-
gressed steadily toward a satisfactory solution.
This state of mental unpreparedness did not endure more than
four or five hours, however. The explanation was soon forthcom-
ing. Legislators of both parties suddenly recalled President Wilson's
genius for theatrical effects, and they detected in the latest Lusitania
crisis a startling analogy to a similar event that happened on the
eve of the reassembling of the present Congress;
- 1 When Congress met it was in an ugly temper to call the Admin-
istration to ‘account for its arbitrary attitude toward Germany and
Austria-Hungary and its‘obliging subservience to the Allies. VVilson
and Lansing foresaw what was coming, and in order to give some
shadow of justification for their aggressive policies toward the
Central Powers, and make the country believe in the existence of
sinister internal danger, summarily dismissed Capt. Boy Ed and
Capt. von Papen, and rushed the conspiracy case against the Ham-
burg-American ofiicials to a conviction, whereupon Wilson read his
famous message to Congress, in which he warned us, of the dis-
loyalty of the German American element.
These three events were so closely synchronized that their cumula-
tive effect had all the virtue of a theatrical climax worthy of
Belasco. That master of stage craft could not have studied up a
better one. V g
V The same adroit hand has now ‘been pulling the wires in an effort
to regalvanizc interest in a case which has been pending nine months,
and was practically dismissed from public attention and regarded as
good as closed. President Wilson had planned his great speaking
campaign on preparedness. Although he is not permitted by those
around him to read anything but what is carefully selected for his
inspectionfthe‘Administration discovered that Wilson's desire to
have a second term was arousing no enthusiasm in the country, and
it became necessary to resort to heroic methods.
, VVilson began his campaign on Friday, and on Friday the first hint
issued from the State Department that the Lusitania case had reached
an acute stage. On Saturday VVilson spoke at Pittsburgh and Cleve-
land, and-on Saturday Lansing notified the press that it could not go
too far in representing how critical our relations with Germany had
suddenly become. On Saturday afternoon and’ Sunday morning the
dailies throughout the country carried startling headlines that con-
veyed an idea that diplomatic relations with Germany were on the
point of rupture. What it all actually meant was an artificially
created crisis representing us on the eve of war, as a background
for President Wilson's compaign for a renomination. The country
wasrnominally-to be aroused to the need of preparedness, but in
--reality a deep sense of insecurity was to be created in the form of a
war boom, on the tide of which Wilson hoped to be swept back into
the'White House. . g
All the live issues pending between the United States and Eng-
land over thcseizurepof our mail and the destruction of our com-
, ’m'erc,e' were forced togive way beforethe practically dead issue aris- ’
'ii1g from ,th'esirikirig.of the Lu.n’tam'a on May 7 last, and the plain
"truth is" that the country is compelled to face a war on the side of-the
" Allies in order that Mr. Wilson may gratify his ambition to retain
' "his seat in the Executive Mansion.’ The Lu:i!am'a' matter,is pushed
to the verge of a rupture for the sole reasonthat it is Wilson's‘ last
trump to arouse sentiment for himself.
it it it an
In this view I am only voicing the opinion of men in Mr. Wilson's
own party, who are watching his maneuvers with deep concern.
They are anxiously waiting to see what the effect of his campaign
will be, with a view to eliminating him. The Democratic party at
this writing is hopelessly split on military preparedness. It is not
willing to create a vast standing army, and many of the leaders do
not believe that they can win with Wilson as their candidate.
There has quietly developed of late a strong sentiment in favor of
nominating Speaker Champ Clark. Bryan does not want Wilson rc-
nominated, and it is practically certain that whatever influence
Bryan has will be thrown into the scales for the nomination of the
Speaker. Clark would be strong with the German Americans and
their friends, and would have the support of the Catholics, who are
against Vvilson in large numbers. The Republicans have no one who
stands out clearly for the protection of American principles against
the Allies as well as the Central Powers (unless it be Mann of
Illinois), while Clark is believed to possess all those points of
vantage.
If the President's theatrical campaign “in the enemy’s country"
fails to bear the expected fruit, and the reaction is cold-for the nrst
echoes of his expedition are naturally expected to betoken un-
hounded enthusiasm, thanks to a well-organized publicity staff at-
tached to his person-Democratic leaders will demand his retire-
ment from the race. They are giving him a chance; but it is his
last one. If he fails to arouse an overwhelming sentiment for him-
self he is as good as done for, and then look out for a Champ Clark
boom. ,
In all this it is well to bear in mind that there is absolutely no
sign of a desire for war on the part of Congress, and that pro-
German sentiment has been steadily gaining, is evidenced by the
fact that when the Republican Hoor leader, James Mann, declared
there was more danger of a war with England than with Germany,
his remark was enthusiastically applauded by the Democrats as
well as the Republicans. And here is another straw to which :1
member of Congress gleefully called attention: The other day
when Chairman Flood of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the
House declared that Wilson would be renominated “and triumphantly
re-elected" and Representative Rainey defended the policies of the
Administration, twenty-nine Democrats languidly listened, whereas,
when Representative Dies, of Texas, scored the President in a
scathing speech the next day, 101 vociferously applauded! I quote
the member's remark literally.
as it at
The great petition of a million signatures for an embargo on
arms made a tremendous impression, and has stimulated efforts in
both Houses to strike at the munition makers. Influential leaders in
both branches have notified the President that they will pass legisla-
tion assessing the cost of national preparedness against the war
munition manufacturers or pass an embargo on arms. It is partly
to offset this movement that VVilson started on his campaign to the
Middle VVest; but unless our relations with Germany assume a
dangerous aspect, violent agitation on this subject will become wide-
spread. The Democratic leaders have substantially agreed on tax-
ing the munition makers on every shrapnel and ton of powder
shipped to the Allies. It was a clever maneuver of Senator
Hitchcock that precipitated the discussion on the embargo scheme
last Friday, when he moved to refer the matter to the Senate
Commerce Committee, in the full knowledge that Senator Stone,
acting under instructions from the White House, would oppose its
b9f"g.C0nSidered by any Committee save his own. that of Foreign
Relations. By this clever strategic device the friends of an em-
bargo got a chance to develop their preliminary strength. The
embargo matter is now safely in the hands of a majority of its
0PDonents. Stone countered on Hitchcock by appointing a sub-
committee during the temporary absence of the Nebraska Senator,
consisting of Lodge of Massachusetts, Smith of Arizona, both
against an embargo, and Hitchcock, his only friend. It will never
be reported, of course, but Senator Hitchcock ultimately will move
hisembargo as an amendment to an appropriation bill and thus force
action. So far as can be ascertained in an unofficial way, there are
about thirty-eight votes for an embargo in the ‘Senate, which is