HONOUR AND VOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1916, Page 4

HONOUR AND VOTES.

To understand the' importance \of the difference between President Wilson and the Democratic party, it is necessary to go back to.the first Npte..sent to Germany oh the LusiUnia outrage. "In this. Note. Me. Wilson laid .down, the following ..principle:' "American, citizens act. within their.. indisputable. tights , a taking..-their ahip*; and - in, ir^velling. wherever their legitimate-business calls. them upon the high seas, and exercise those rights in what should be the welljustified confidence that their- lives willnot be endangered by- acts done in clear violation of universally acknowledged international obligations, and certainly in the confidence that their own Govern: ment will sustain them in the excrciee of their rights." At the. end of the Note reference was made to the "sacred duty of maintaining the rights of the United States and its citizens, and of safeguarding- their, free exercise and enjoy? ment" Thia principle Mr. Wilson has maintained against Germany ever, since, and iB now maintaining against his .paxty*s leaders, -who, under German. pressure, wish .him to ..warn Amerjcpe not to travel by armed merchantmen. Siffce "amerchant vessel has a Tight.to arm for defensive purpose*, Mr. "Wilson would go. against international lawanl usage if he took such a. step, and his surrender would he a complete victory for Germany in her fight to evade the (WnSetjuencesf-of rnuideriTig-American* on 'the high seas... -Fear to vindicate citizens' rights, says: Mr. Wilson, would be -^a-deep humiliation sad abdication of our hitherto proud position." Mr. WpeoA will get few people "in allied countries to- agree that America's position -has been proud—except in the sense of being too proud to fight—but--.to. give -way, .now. .on.this, .point woiijd .** to descend to the depths of dishonour.

The difference between the President and jiis party is and hninfliaitiiig.- Th*.majority oi the people in America axe on the Allies' side. Americans -have,, teen ..murdered,;by the enemy *s47eo reparation made. Intrigue, kndwn' to- be directed by agents of the - German. Government, is iß.OTpe.ot throughout the country, its mamiiestations 'ranging ' from open .., threats • . to- jnflnejjiye». Mternal politics to -crimes -against property and life. There:, had neyer been such ' open, awl 'wjdasprea4 • mterfeireiice with the internal affaire of any country in the interests .of-a foreign Power as there has,been in the "United States since the war iegao. Yet one of the great p»JitK?al: parties,, the party pfc Mb Mch the President jfi the 'head, allows jtoclf to be used 3a a. tool by German agenie- Politics are at the bottom osf this dishcctoaraible businesß- This, is the year ,o| the prasKtajrfcjal elecjapn- and in .a lew months the party -congresses will be held pox the selection of candidates. The Jjepuiblicaas 'have won election successes; acd are already boasting that the President.will :be"deMate4. !Ths Pernor cratic leaders witnt : the' German -votes, ■which number miHioos, and -are ready to eel! Qlma3jy?6\hooour tp' get them. But "the 'President' -It is to; cre<Ut; -him %lti»7'ijus. best of motives, but jt'jiSi.nofc 'unfair to say that "if. be did- yield there ■ would., haye. t& is_?. e .t off agaußt jJJermaai -votes gained American votes lost through disgust at his vxeakmess." - ■

- It Tniay ' .'seem ' impossible to some people that,. in ' ' ivifew : of the reported *tvate pf .. '.Amgrioap . feeling wa|h regard -tp , tie. : war, -th? German ,vpt# should bp large gnpugh io turn -Jihe scale. But -reports, about Ameri'iH>'i£ 'very strong in t»ie--iKagfj»rn Jttaies, -±>ut grows weakiei*7a§ ,ph tne Pacific Slope ; is.;*' good'deaf of "'. Tie'" Germaa*;' clfcment '.-> nowhere 'indifferent,' and'- $t.>is— much easier to -organise it into a. formidable 'hpdy.jthan, itTi.^^duce^ho-fiiends.-gf

tW politieil action. Germane in- America'- fciave said that- -if the- Govemmwjt,. does. not do what Germany wants they will organise tl}e whole German vote and throw it against the Administration, a&d they axe not to .be deterred by tlie hard, words that the President, used towards their., propaganda. - It tsuke3 something much harder than a hard word to make any impression on, a Germain.