AMERICA AT WAR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11531, 7 May 1918, Page 5

AMERICA AT WAR.

MR WILSON'S LEADERSHIP- _____ ■ > • "'"'^ Some interesting sidelights on the politics and public opinion in jltlie United States are thrown by a private letter from a "well-informed, correspondent," extracts from which are printed in a recent issue of ttie New Enropp. "Wilson's un« questioned leadership and the con' iidence of the nation in hira ore, I think," says the writer, "unparalleled in onr history; the danger is that we shall leave every ■ thing too much to him, and fail to keep within ranse of ;.his constructive thinking. Gonsrras, 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.

A.t the same time, it must be confessed that his strength lies ia diplomacy rather than in ministration. We shall probably have a good deal'more cenrrslised authority, and probably some Cabinet; changes in Washington bfore our war machine is really efficient. That is the only thing which will interfere with onr maximum contribution, for the spirit of tho county ia magnificent. We shall go «n increasing our military force to the very limit until victory is won, no matter how long or how much it takes—meaning,of course, Wilson's clear definition" of what ho mems by victory. The political situation is extraordinary. The bankruptcy <of the Republican party is ayaiu shown, by its failure as an opposition to press for administrative efficiency, and its petty naagaing atrealleadsrs like Hoover. The administration outside of the President leaves a great deal to be desired, and the resulting one-man leadership is a caost unusual situation. has los t a great opportunity and a lsrge following by his inability to rise above his personal opposition to Wilson. Taft, on the other hand, has greatly strengthened himself by hia self effacing and devoted service in rousing the nation. What the politicaljf uture holds in store no one can guess. One ouly is clear —your country and mine are at last linked together, as by Anglo-Saxon heritage and democratic destiny they belong together, in playing for the great-st stakes in hunianw<Tfare and world peace for which nations have ever striven or fought. "