Middletown transcript., 1911-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, D, c., March 31st, 1911.
TIE national Congress is again in ses
sIon-the second extra session of the
present administration. Speculation as to
what Congress will do is varied. Il ia
thought that the administration would be
more than pleased il the Congress would
ratify the reciprocity agreement with
Canada and adjourn, but the Democrats
who now control the lower house have a
much more ambitious program and in.
deed there are tariff reforms that cannot
be enacted too soon. The period between
the adjournment on the 4th OF March and
the 4th of April has been full of interest.
The sudden mobilization of the army and
it's establishment on the Mexican border
has been the subject of discussion through.
out the length and breadth of the land,
The ultimate purpose Of the administra.
ton is NOT known, but preparation for any
emergency is the highest wisdom in ma.
tional affairs II is reported that large
contingent of the force now on the Mexi-
can border will sail in a few days for
Honolulu. 1t is known that American
interests in Mexico demand q strong
American force near that perturbed terri.
tory.
~
There is again discussion of a peace
pact between Great Britain and the
United States and between France and
the United States With reciprocity With
Canada and peace agreements With Great
Britain and France, there would be
little reason for the continuous expensive
naval preparation of the last decade; but
there is no assurance that the Senate will
ratify such peace agreements as the two
great Anglo-Saxon governments may al.
range with each other. There are some
Senators that are very jealous of their
Constitutional privileges to vote separate
ly and distinctly in every matter of inter.
national melation. Still, the world moves.
Civil service reform was looked upon as
Utopian thirty years ago, and many mea.
sures looking toward the publication Of
governmental and commercial relations
have been accomplished even in the last
ten years.
~
1t is expected that there will be no little
presidential electioneering and maneuVer-
ing in Washington during the present ex-
ira session. It is significant that the
Bryan influence has been considerably
in both houses of Congress,
both by elimination and addition since
March 4th. Many of bis friends have
been added to both the House and
the Senate, while some who are opposed
to him are no longer in power in Wash
ington. 1t is not thought that Mr.. Bryan
expects to do more than influence the
nomination OF Democratic candidate. 1t
is thought that he favors Wilson of New
Jersey. It is known that he does not
favor Harmon Of Ohio. Champ Clerk the
Democratic Speaker, has been talked of
as a presidential possibility, but he has
talked 60 much himself and so imprudent-
Iy in his long and mediocre political ca.
reer that it is doubtful if he will be consid-
cred as an available candidate by those of
The party with whom judgment prevaile.
LaFollette of Wisconsin is much talked of
IS the probable Republican nominee for
The presidency, and the race now is
supposed to lie between him, Taft and
Roosevelt. Senator LaFollette is con.
,ptcuous for his criticism of the transfer
If the army to the Mexican border. He
1enouDces it as unnecessary and as an ex.
,ravagant waste of public funds, but it is
probable that the figures will demonstrate
that the army can be as easily maintain.
ID along the Rio Grande as at the various
stations from which it was entrained, and
'urely the experience of mobilization and
The exercise of camp life cannot do other.
wise than improve the efficiency and
ssprit-du.corps of force doubtless ener-
Vated by long inactivity. There was the
,ame necessity for moving the army that
here was in the last year of Rooseyelt's
to send the navy TO sea
ind around the world, and possibly other
'easons that Senator LaFo'lette and some
,thers have not yet found out.
-
There is much speculation with refer
'nce to coming legislation and to the
ength of time that Congress will be in
'xtra session. It may be that there will
lot be an adjournment until late in the
ummer. The situation is full OF interest
md expectation is on tiptoe awaiting
vents.
Makes NnHaa RakinT Eaav