The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1916. AMERICA AND GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2892, 3 October 1916, Page 6

The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1916. AMERICA AND GERMANY

The Kaiser and Lis military and political advisers aye watching the .1 American' , Presidential campaign with- very ' anxious eyes. The day of_ election (November 7), is drawing very near. In six weeks' time the world will know, whether Mr. > Wilson, the Democratic candidate, is (to hold office for another term, or whether the Hepublicans will succeed in installing Judge Hughes at the White xiouße. The Germans have got the measure of President Wilson. They know, or _ think they know, how much of their frightfulness and trickery he .will stand; but Judge Hughes still rcnlains an "unknown quantity." Submarine policy is a subject of hot debate in Germany at_ the present moment. The "most Irightful" party is trying to force the Government to make tho most unsparing use of the submarines— to slash out air round relentlessly and unscrupulously. But the Government is afraid that this form of madness cause serious friction with the United States. The possibility of Judge Hughes being elected President has to be faced. Germany is extremely desirous of find- , ing out what manner of man the Republican candidate is, and how he would act if she resumed her policy of murderous and piratical sea fighting in all its reckless fury. It is now stated that the present method of submarine warfare will be continued until the Presidential election is over. In the meantime Berlin is seeking for some suro sign that will reveal (Judge Hughes's attitude. So far, the Republican candidate has shown a rather tantalising economy of speech as regards foreign policy .and matters having a bearing upon the European War. He seems determined to make tlie Mexican difficulty the dominant issue in the campaign. He makes a strong and effectivo attaok on this phase of the Wilson administration, and his goneral "offensive" is undoubtedly powerful, but he,is less enlightening and communicative when he sets out to deSend and explain his own platform. The opening speeches of his campaign are'described in some of the latest American papers as strong in attack but vague on constructive policies., The Boston Transcript, however, declares that the clamour for a more constructive policy from Mr. Hughes is "merely tho desperate device of beaten men to dodgo tho issue and get the country to discussing Mr. Hughes's instead of' Mr. Wilson's policies." . The outside world is not greatly interested in tho Mexican question or m the domestic problems of the United States. Tho world is eager to know what Mr. Hughes conceives to.bo the part which America should play _in regard to the tremendous conflict, tho result of which must affect the future of every nation on earth. Mr. Hughes has not,said as much about this supremely important matter as might reasonably havo been expected, but be has said something worth saying., He has declared that he stands "for the unflinching maintenance of all American rights on land and sea." He certainly gives the impression that he would stand no nonsense.

. We have had (he declares) brave words m a series of Notes, but despite our protosts the lives of Americans/ have, been destroyed. What docs it avail to use some of the strongest words known to diplomacy if Ambassadors can rccoive the impression- that the words aro not to bo taken seriously? .... Had this Government, by the use of both informal and formal diplomatic opportunities, left no doubt - that when we aflid "strict accountability" we meant precisely what, we said, and that we should' unhesitatingly vindicate that position, I am confident that there would have bqon jio destruction • of American lives by the sinking of the Lusitania. There we had ample notices in, fact, published notice. Furthermore, we knew the situation, and-we did not .reqniro specific notice

After this severe and telling criticism of the weakness and_ vacillation of the Wilson administration in its dealings with Germany, Judge Hughes would stultify himself if, in the event of his election, he allowed the German Government to trifle with him as it has trifled with Mr. Wilson. If Germany found itadvisable to lessen the fierceness of hor submarine campaign owing to tho attitude of Ma; Wilson, the probabilities are that her relations with the United States would bccome very strained indeed should tho advent of Judge Hughes i to power be followed by a fresh outbreak of unrestrained "frightful-J

ness." A Republican victory would not give much satisfaction to Berlin. It would not, of course, mean that America would forthwith _ depart from bpr policy of neutrality; but there' is good ground for the belief that Judge Hughes would take a firmer stand against German lawlessness than that taken by President Wilson, and that he would be more determined to maintain the prestige and dignity of the United States. Now that the Re-, publican Party has regained its unity, its candidate should have decidedly good prospects of success. Gwrreni Opinion declares that the whole question resolves itself into this: Is America still Republican (m it has been normally for sixty years) or_ has it become Democratic on a straight party division? "The normal vote of both the political parties," writes Mk. H. L. Stoddard in the New York _Ma.il, "will be the lino-up - next November."