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Press, Volume LII, Issue 15746, 13 November 1916, Page 6

In the heat of an election campaign few American newspapers can avoid making mistakes, and some allowanco must be made for tho political temperature. But there seems to be excuse for tho Republican criticisms of the methods pursued by tho New York "World," the greatest of tho Democratic dailies, in its attacks upon Mr Hughes. At tho head of its editorial pago is printed every day, in heavy typo, "Tho World, as Established by Joseph Pulitzer"—a statement which certainly implies that tho "World" is as Pulitzer, if he were alive, would still have it. The Republican papers recalled the fact that when Mr Hughes commonced the insurance investigation Pulitzer called for complete, information as to his character and personality. Hughes's private record was investigated with true American thoroughness, and was found to bo beyond criticism. Pulitzer himself was quite satisfied, and ho testified to his satisfaction by appointing Hughes as executor and trusteo of his estate, and bequeathed to him 100,000 dollars. Tho trust and the bequests were not accepted, but Pulitzer did not resent this, and long afterwards ho gave emphatic expression to his high opinion of Mr Hughes, who had in tho meantime become an active Republican leader. In conversation with Pulitzer- one day, somebody suggested that Hughes would never rise to the office of Chief Executive. "He will bo President of the United States some day," Pulitzer replied with some heat. "Don't argue wjth me." And as the "World" has, during, the recent election campaign, daily assailed tho character and talents of Mr Hughes, there is some point in one Republican paper's comment: "We appeal from the 'World' of to-day to tho 'World' as established by Joseph Pulitzer."

The address to tho Congregationalist Union in Birmingham, for which Viscount Bryce was so sharply criticised last month, is now available through American files. Wo are not surprised that it was deeply resented by thoso who know, the danger of encouraging Germany and discouraging sternness in Britain. "Let not this war have been fought in vain," he said. "Let us search for and try to put into practice, some scheme for reducing and, if possible, at last for ending this oldest and most terrible scourge• of mankind." These are unimpeachable sentiments, but Viscount Bryce's ideas as to tho best method of securing a durable peace are not so good. "Is it wise to talk of banning a whole people for all time to come?" he asked, and ho went on to picture tho German people .as innocent but misguided victims of "a harsS and tyrannous rule." Therefore he urged that "the talk wo now hear about starting after peace has been concluded a new war of trade to follow the war of arms has immense capacities for mischief," with much more in the same strain. Britain has suffered too much already from sentimentalists to be willing to listen with much pleasure to pleas for clemency and kindness and forgiveness for the German nation. Before tho war many people in Britain were led to believe that Germany was a peaceable and friendly Power. They will not bo deceived a second time, especially as all the ovidence goes to show that the German nation thoroughly approves of Germany's policy and the German methods of conducting war.