Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
Facing Division of Party Presi-
dent May Turn to Public to
Force Hand of Congress
on Preparedness.
GREAT FIGHT is AHEAD
Between Bryan and Roosevelt
Views on the Issue Executive
Hopes to Convince Country
Plan Is Reasonable.

Washington. Dec. 27.-Facing not
only a divided congress-, but an even
more divided party, upon the gravest
problem he yet has laid before con-
gress to be worked out-that Of ade-
quate national defense-Prcsident Will
son will appeal to the people of the
COUNTRY If 1T becomes necessary, to get
some preparedness program through
that will meet the substantial demands
as he sees it-of the present situations,
OF unpreparedneSS.
That prediction-that the president
would carry the case to the people by
speeches presenting the urgent needs,
OF the s~ltuation-was made by one OF
the close advisers Of the aGministra-
ton. Coupled with it was the admis-
sion that the administration was dis
mendations of the president and Sec
retaries of war and navy had received
within the majority party.
Wilson to Sound Out the People.
The administration has done little
thus far to sound out the exact senti-
ment in congress. The wedding and
the complicated state of foreign affairs.
growing out of the ( strian note en-
crossed the president before the holi-
day adjournment. 1t is said. however,
that Immediately upon the r~econvening-
OF congress the president will begin
feeling out the situation by calling in,
influential members OF the delegations
from each state to get a line on the
sentiment, not only of the members,
but of the people back home. But
enough of dissatisfaction and divisions
over the defense program has found
its way to the White House to make It
known there will have to be some real
lighting done if the entire program is
not to 90 by the boards.
There is no GOIht hare in opu oircla~
that the sentiment OF the country is
emphatic for congress doing some
thing to strengthen the army ana
navy. In fact, critics of the adnlinis-
tratlon charge the only reason this
president took up the preparedness is
sue and presented it as ne aid to con-
gress as the main problem to be met
by the present body. in face of his ut
terances on the anne subject a year
before. was because he recognized THIS
emphatic demand of the American pco-
pie for some action. If the democrats
did not meet the question fairly, tho
republicans would take it up as the Is
sue Tor l9l6-a most dangerous one
from a political standpoint, because OF
the patriotic appeal Involved.
Believed He Had It Gagged.
Reallzlng the democratic party tra-
d~ltlonally was opposed to u larger ar
my or navy, the program the president
mapped out was an extremely gonser-
Natlve ~one-one he believed he could
get the democrats to support in spite
OF their inherent dislike for increased
army or navy appropriations. The pres
loent lald his cards On The table before
congress, but thus far it has been from
ms own party that the disposition has
come to back away and rcfgtse to play.
Unless the democrats who went home
to get in touch with the senti-
ment of their people return with
nhn on1 Ninyrs tln 4-> -. =. =.
the embarrassing position of having to
sit by while the minority party-the
republicans-lnold the form in which
the defense program is to 90 through.
The president was very eager to keep
the defense fight in the position of be-
lng a nOnpaitisan one. He is doubly sc,
now, with the republicans apparently
in absolute position, because Of demo-
cratic disaffection, to dictate what the
program shall be. 1t is understood the
president will not be a stickier as to
the exact form the defense legislation
will take. But, if nothing substantial
is done, it will be because tie demo-
cratic party-as the majority and re-
sponsible ~party--failed to perform; be-
,ause it ~repudiates the program pre-
sented by its leader in the White
House. And with the campaign ahead
next year the administration has no IN
:ention Of seeing this condition arise IL
It can help it--even if it means in ac-
septlng IN Il large measure the pro-
gram nodded by the minority.
6ryan a Tower of Strength.
At present the administration pro-
sram and President Wilson are be-
ween two fires. On one side is Theo-
lore Roosevelt, who has denounced tho
proposals as a makesllift and entirely
Inadequate to meet the situation. On
he other side is William Jennings Bry-
IN, whose invisible hand is seen in
much of the DETECTION Of the demo-
rats from the presidents position, cry
ng out against an. preparedness. The
White House has had Il rea! surprise
n the strength of the Bryan influence
n congress, and is just beginning to
'ealize the big tower Of strength the
'ormer secretary IF state vas to the
administration. Tt was Wilson'S first
'eal fight without Bryan behind him
20 help line congress Up.
The defense fight VII open holly as
soon as congress: r~pcCrYencA