In the face of the clamor for expressions of sympathy with one or the other of the contending powers of Europe,the Republicans chose a middle course,declaring that they would uphold all American rights "at home and abroad,by land and by sea."This sentiment Mr.Hughes echoed in his acceptance speech.By some it was interpreted to mean a firmer policy in dealing with Great Britain;by others,a more vigorous handling of the submarine menace.The Democrats,on their side,renominated President Wilson by acclamation,reviewed with pride the legislative achievements of the party,and commended "the splendid diplomatic victories of our great President who has preserved the vital interests of our government and its citizens and kept us out of war."
In the election which ensued President Wilson's popular vote exceeded that cast for Mr.Hughes by more than half a million,while his electoral vote stood 277to 254.The result was regarded,and not without warrant,as a great personal triumph for the President.He had received the largest vote yet cast for a presidential candidate.The Progressive party practically disappeared,and the Socialists suffered a severe set-back,falling far behind the vote of 1912.
President Wilson Urges Peace upon the Warring Nations.-Apparently convinced that his pacific policies had been profoundly approved by his coun-trymen,President Wilson,soon after the election,addressed "peace notes"to the European belligerents.On December 16,the German Emperor proposed to the Allied Powers that they enter into peace negotiations,a suggestion that was treated as a mere political maneuver by the opposing governments.Two days later President Wilson sent a note to the warring nations asking them to avow"the terms upon which war might be concluded."To these notes the Central Powers replied that they were ready to meet their antagonists in a peace confer-ence;and Allied Powers answered by presenting certain conditions precedent to a satisfactory settlement.On January 22,1917,President Wilson in an ad-dress before the Senate,declared it to be a duty of the United States to take part in the establishment of a stable peace on the basis of certain principles.These were,in short:"peace without victory";the right of nationalities to ******* and self-government;the independence of Poland;******* of the seas;the reduc-tion of armaments;and the abolition of entangling alliances.The whole world was discussing the President's remarkable message,when it was dumbfounded to hear,on January 31,that the German ambassador at Washington had an-nounced the official renewal of ruthless submarine warfare.
The United States at War
Steps toward War.-Three days after the receipt of the news that the Ger-man government intended to return to its former submarine policy,President Wilson severed diplomatic relations with the German empire.At the same time he explained to Congress that he desired no conflict with Germany and would await an "overt act"before taking further steps to preserve American rights."God grant,"he concluded,"that we may not be challenged to defend them by acts of willful injustice on the part of the government of Germany."Yet the challenge came.Between February 26and April 2,six American merchant ves-sels were torpedoed,in most cases without any warning and without regard to the loss of American lives.President Wilson therefore called upon Congress to answer the German menace.The reply of Congress on April 6was a resolu-tion,passed with only a few dissenting votes,declaring the existence of a state of war with Germany.Austria-Hungary at once severed diplomatic relations with the United States;but it was not until December 7that Congress,acting on the President's advice,declared war also on that "vassal of the German govern-ment."
American War Aims.-In many addresses at the beginning and during the course of the war,President Wilson stated the purposes which actuated our government in taking up arms.He first made it clear that it was a war of self-defense."The military masters of Germany,"he exclaimed,"denied us the right to be neutral."Proof of that lay on every hand.Agents of the German imperial government had destroyed American lives and American property on the high seas.They had filled our communities with spies.They had planted bombs in ships and munition works.They had fomented divisions among American citi-zens.
Though assailed in many ways and compelled to resort to war,the United States sought no material rewards."The world must be made safe for democracy.Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.We have no selfish ends to serve.We desire no conquest,no dominion.We seek no indemnities for ourselves."