Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-05
Former Aide Of President
Out Squarely Against
Preparedness.
FORESEES DANGER
IN ARMAMENTS
Bryan Declares Prssidsnt Advocates
Policy Never Yet Endorsed by Ma
tien-says Europe Prepared For De.
tense and Then Plunged Into War
Likens Armed Nation to Gun Totsr
Who Sheets at First Affront.

Washington. Nov. 5.-Former Secre-
tary Bryan came out sQuarely against
President Wilson's national defense
plan today in a formal statement in
which he took issue with the presi-
dents view as expressed last night be-
fore the Manhattan Club in New York.
"A departure from our traditions: a
reversal Of our national policy; q
menace to our peace and safety. and
challenge to the spirit Of christian
ity. which teaches to influence others
by example rather than exciting" is Mr..
Bryan's view Of the defense plan.
Mr.. Bryan's statement, which reiter-
ated views previously expressed, was
regarded as the opening gun in the
fight which administration leaders ex-
pect In congress against the adoption
Of the plan.
Mr.. ayran Sorrows.
Mr.. Bryan'S statement says:
Il have read the presidents speech
with SORROW and concern. He is doing
what he believes to be his duty and so
long az Q man follows his conscience
and his judgment We can not criticize
his motive. but We may be compelled
to dissent from his conclusions. feel
II my duty to dissent, and as he has
given his views with clearness and em-
phasiA those who differ from him are
under . like obligation to express
themselves with equal clearness.
He says that his pogftion 10 differ
xen. from that Of the private lndividuah
~ the Individual may risk his own
Gpinion. This sentence IL little OBJ
EcsyTs.s Insofar ~ he expresses his own
opinion he does mot Differ from the
private citizen except that he speaks
under sense Of official responsibilities
but where q nations fate is involved in
q policy every private citizen who
loves his country and tries to serve &
is conscious OF responsibility. The
president will not assume that he is
more deeply interested In the welfare
of his country than the millions who
elected him for the time being to be
their spokesman. And II. as he evi-
IDENTIFY believes. he is giving voice to
the opinions Of his countrymen, he is,
Of course. anxious to have them as
frank with him as he has been with
whether he represents or misrepresents
their views.
Policy Nsvsr lndorssd.
"ae has adopted policy never In
dorsed by any party in this country
pnd he has no way Of knowing until
he hears from the people whether he
has spoken the voice Of the public.
"He asks the hearty support Of the
country, meaning. Of course. provided
the people favor the policy he has OUT
lined. He could not, Of course. ask
them to support policy which they
cid not ind0rSe.
From my view Of the subject the
plan which he proposes Is not only a
departure from our traditions but a
reversal Of our national policy. 1t Is
not only a menace to our peace and
safety but challenge to the spirit Of
christianity, which teaches US to in-
fuerlce others by example rather than
by exciting fear.
Preparedness Leads 70 Aggression.
The president says that we should
be prepared not for aggression but for
defense That - the ground upon
which all preparation for war Is made.
What nation has ever prepared for
war on the theory that 1t was prepar-
tnS for aggression? It is only fair to
assume that the Europeon rulers who
are involved In the war thought they
rrepared to maintain the tenents OF
peace when they made elaborate prep
arations for defense. It Is q false
philosophy, and, being false, 1t inevita-
bly, leads into difficulties. The spirit
that makes the individual carry q re-
vofver-and who ever carries revolver
except for defense?-leads him not
only TO use 1t on . slight provocation.
but to use language which provokes
trouble. Speak softly but carry q big
stick, is one Of the delusive maxims
employed by those who put their faith
In force. There are two answers to
it-frst, the man who speaks softly has
not the disposition to carry club, and
s.s man with soft voice II per-
euaded to carry club his voice
changes as soon as he begins to rely
on the club.
National Pistol Toting.
eTf there Is any truth In our religion
nation must win respect as an tndi-
vidual does. not by carrying arms but
BY. an upright. honorable course that
invites confidence. This nation has
won Its position In the world without
resort TO the habit Of toting q pistol or
carrying club. Why reverse our poll
icy at this time? The president himself
admits that there is no reason for q
change. He says:
The country Is not threatened from
any quarter. She stands in friendly re-
Iati6I1s with ALI the world. Her re-
sources and self respect and capacity
Z 10 cars for her own chixens and rights
are Weli Sisso; so;v.;::s =. : And tn make the
statement more emphatic, he adds:
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