AMERICA AT WAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 104, 6 May 1918, Page 4

AMERICA AT WAR.

iSome interesting sidelights on politics and public opinion in the United States are. thrown, by a private letter from a "well-informed extracts from which are printed in a recent isr sue of the New Europe. "Wilson's unquestioned leadership and the confidence of the nation in him, are I think," says the writer, "unparalleled' in our history; indeed, the danger is that we shall leave everything, too much to him, and fail to keep within. range of his constructive thinking. Congress is as so often, sadly provincial and inadequate. I need not tell you how proud we are of the part he is- playing- in world statesmanship, or of the skill with which he is playing- it. . . . At'the same time, it must be confessed that his strength lies in diplomacy rather than in administration. We shall probably have a good. deal more centralised authority, and probably some Cabinet changes in .Washington before our war machine is really efficient. That is the only thing which will interfere with our maximum contribution, for the spirit of the country is We shall go on increasing our military force to the very limit until victory is won, no matter how long or how much it takes—mean, mg of course, Wilson's clear definition of what he means by victory. The political situation is extraordinary. The bankruptcy of the Republican party is again shown by its failure as an opposition to press for administrative efnciencv and its pettv nagging at real leaders like Hoover. The administration outside of the President leaves a .good deal to be desired, and thei ing one-man leadership, is a most unusual situation. Roosevelt has lost a great opportunity and a large following by liis inability to rise above, his Personal opposition to Wilson.' laft, on the other hand, has greatly strengthened himself bv his self-effacing and devoted service in rousing the nation. Wiha&i the political; future jholcLs tfi store no one can guess. One thing onlv is clear—your country and mine are at last linked together, aa by ■ AngloSaxon heritage and democratic destiny they belong together, in playing for the greatest stakes in human welfaie and world peace for which nations have ever striven or fought."