The Irish-American elements, which have specialized in making trouble between the United States and Great Britain, represented a strength to the Democratic Party in most large cities.

The great mass of Democratic Senators and Congressmen had voted for the exemption bill.

The Democratic platform of 1912 had endorsed this same legislation.

This declaration was the handiwork of Senator O'Gorman, of New York State, who had long been a leader of the anti-British crusade in American politics.

More awkward still, President Wilson, in the course of his Presidential campaign, had himself spoken approvingly of free tolls for American ships.