New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-22
Less Opposition to Pro
gramme than White
house Feared.
SENATOR KERN
BACKS WILSON
Democratic Lcadc- and Bryan's
Close Friend IndorseS
large Appropriations.

Washington, Oct. 2l Much less alarm
at the size Of the defence budget pro-
posed by the administration is being
encountered in Congress than had been
feared By friends Of the White House.
Even among many Of the close follow
er5 Of William j. Bryan. while TO guar
antees OF unqualified support are being
given. there is not much quibbling over
the totals of the army and navy appro-
priation bills. Talk OF party caucus
whip being used 30 drive recalcitrants
into line is causing considerable re-
sentiment, however, though there IS
much doubt that ,he White House con-
templates any such measure.
Senator John ". Kern. OF Indiana,
Democratic floor leader Of the upper
house, former running mate Of Mr..
Bryan and regarded as being closer 70
the ex-Secretary Of state than any
other man in the Senate, declared to-
day that he had no opposition 70 in
c-cases in both army and navy budgets.
accidentally, he declared that Mr. Bry
ans attitude had been much distorted,
and that the eX-Secretary would be
found fighting for his positive conyic-
tions. but always inside the Democratic
party.
II think the middle-o the-road ele-
ment on the defence proposition will be
found solidly behind the Presidents
programme" said Senator Kern. "Of
course, it will be 700 large TO please
the men in Congress who have always
opposed appropriations for the army
and navy, but the size Of the appro-
printions is not going 20 scare many Of
the members Of either house.
Fight on Details Only.
81 DO not mean 20 say that the pro-
cramme which has been outlined viii
20 through without any changes here and
there. but such fighting as Will come
Will not De principally over the amounts
Of the budgets. 10 VIII be over details
in the building programme OF the navy.
For instance. fight may be made by
men thinking there should ne more suO-
marines built and fewer battleships and
other men taking different views. But
the bills will come out Of the committee
in such shape as 10 win general support
or the floors Of both houses.
II think that the President will make
his showing as to the need for an In
crease in both the ARMY and navy to be
authorized by this Congress and that
his showing viii De strong enough to
win ample support for the two bills.
Recently | expressed some views
about q large increase In the army
which caused report that | was OPP
posed TO the President, but it must be
recalled that at the time there was talk
Of d military and naval budget 10
amount to about billion dollars this
year. which struck me as absurd. The
amounts which the President is going
TO ask. on the other hand. are not ex-
cessive in view Of the situation. ! am
in favor Of increasing the army and
navy 10 quiet the fears Of those who
are applehcnsive, although ! am not
fearsome myself.
"Pres.d dent Wilson does not him self
expect, am sure, that Congress
should merely ratify his programme.
That would be usurpation Of the func-
tons of Congress. But bills that viii
be satisfactory TO oil concerned will
be worked out.
Secs No Need of Caucus.
"Nor will it be necessary to have a
caucus TO bind the party in order 20
pot these bills through. ! do not be-
lievo that the question Of defence can
be made into q national issue for the
campaign Tor several reasons. the first
being that nj. shades Of belief rs to
Tire defence proposition are found in
both ra.-ics. Then the opposition to
the bills. eliminating fights over de-
tails, will not be sufficiently strong, in
my opinion. 20 make q caucus neces-
sary ! should not favor a caucus on
either of the defence measures, and in
fact have heard very little talk Of
one. and none so far from members of
Congress OF course, there are not
many members in town, but | do not
believe many will be in favor Of such a
radical departure from the usual
methods on these bills.
"As to Mr.. Bryan's opposition 20 IN
creased defence appropriations and 20
q bond issue, think his position has
been much distorted. Naturally, Mr..
Bryan has strong views on the ques-
ton. but that does not mean that he
will 70 outside the Democratic party
If the party does not yield 70 his
views. For instance. Mr. Bryan has
strong views on the liquor question.
He would do much 70 bring about pro-
hibition But when We were electlng
legislature in Indiana and the pro-
hibition issue played an important part
in every district Mr.. Bryan. I'm stump
ing the state. although he was the
leading orator the Prohihitionists had
that campaign, urged the voters 20
vote for "a Democrat irst as the cleo
ton Of q Democratic United States
Senator was much more important