AMERICA.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 October 1918, Page 5

AMERICA.

THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS. WILSON’S PLEA FOR THE DEMOCRATS. THEIR DEFEAT WOULD BE A REPUDIATION. OF HIS WAR POLICY. Received 9.25 a.m. WASHINGTON, Oct 25. President Wilson appealed to the ’American people to return Democratic candidates at the November election, if they approved his conduct of the peace negotiations. The return of a Republican majority would certainly he interpreted as a repudiation of Ms leadership. While the President was the people’s servant he must be ready ‘ accept the people’s decision without cavil. Nevertheless, the presidential power to administer the great trust assigned to him by the Constitution would be seriously impaired should the judgment he adverse to his political party, which was paramount in matters of patriotism and the sacrifices made by all citizens; but the difficulties and dangers of the present task were of a sort making it imperative his actions should be undivided support under unified leadership. The Republican leaders were undoubtedly pro-war, but at the same time against the Administration. At every turn they sought to take the choice of policy and conduct of the war out of the President’s hands and place it under the control of instrumentalities of their choosing. The Republican leaders- might claim they support the Administration, but on the other side of the water the only conclusion ould be that the country had repudiated Wilson’s leadership. It is well known abroad and at home that the Republican leaders desired not so much to support the President as to control him. Wilson was not asking tfor support for his own sake or for a political 'purpose, but for the sake of the nation itself, ill order to show the "world its unity of purpose.