Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-30
ACTIVITIES OF
OUR LAWMAKERS
At WASHINGTON
Some Democrats to Fight Ap.
pOintment of Henry p. Fletch-
CT as Ambassador to Mexico
Preparedness Sentiment In
Senate said to BE Backsliding
democrats in Upper House
Also Propose Other Admins
tratian Principles.

Washington, Dec 29--Some OF the pro-
fessional politicians on the democratic
side Of the Senate are preparing to hght
the confirmation of Henry Prather Fletch-
er as anbass ador TO Mexico. MIR. Fletch-
or Is the present American ambassador 10
Chilli where he has done excellent service
for the administration.
Secretary Lansing looks upon MY.
Fletcher as one of the best men III tho
diplomatic service. His long experience
In Latin American affairs has made him
an ideal representative OK the govern
,nent. according to the officials OF the
state department
President Wilson's choice OF Mr.. Fetch
ar as a man of tact and diplomatic knowl-
edge was largely the result OF the expert
ence which he has had with some OF the
men who went to Mexico to represent this
government during the revolutionary pc
Rod.
The administration is anxious to wipe
ont the impression made upon the Mexi-
can people by William Bayard Hale, John
Lind, George G. Carrothers and some or
the special agents upon whom the Pres'-
dent has relied for information,
The President has coniided to friends
mat some of the Mexican trouble might
Ne traced to transformation brought u
Washington by men who were sent to the
turbulent country to get first hand view
of conditions and prospects.
Senator Kern, the majority leader on
the democratic side. Is greatly perturoed
ri the prospect of not getting politician
from Indiana into the post. which carries
1880 year besides being II valuable
political plum. For some reason unknown
10 the administration, Kern apparently
has been under the impression that he
had lien on the job. 1t is understoo1
that Mr.. Bryan once promised to give
the post to one Of Kern's political helpers.
PREPAREDNESS BACKsLIDEs.
Preparedness sentiment in the Senate
seems to be backslding. This probably
holds in some degree on the republican
side of the chamber. One cannot measure
It just yet in concrete terms, but here and
there are utterances which indicate the
trend. For example, Senator Weeks OF
Massachusetts is known to favor a
moderate program alike for the army
and the navy. Because Of his service as
an officer OF the navy, senators of both
political parties rely much upon his judy
ment in deciding what they should do In
army and navy matters.
The Massachusetts senator delivered
speech in the last Congress, setting
forth his opinions that at that time,
while the European war was just get
ting under way, the United States could
we'll wait before committing itself
definitely to large navy increases. He
believes now in increasing the navy, but
lions against possibilities Of foreign in
vason. With plenty of subma rines and a
moderate size navy the Massachusetts
senator thinks it would be impossible for
foreign nation to land 10000 soldiers
on our shores from Europe as a base.
AGAINST CONTINENTAL ARMY.
Neither does Senator Weeks favor the
continental army that President Wilson
has urged. He would increase the regular
army to something like 10000 men and
develop the reserve army which Is just
now acquiring some strength because
the law OF 1912, or thereabouts, au-
thorizing enlisted men after a definite
period OF service to be discharged az
reserves is just coming into opera
ton.
There Is not a little condemnation at
the Capitol of the general board for its
very large recommendations as set forth
In its first report Just made public by
Secretary of the Navy Daniels Friends
in Congress of a large navy say the
recommendations We're extravagant, and
that publicity for such report can do
the cause no good at this time. THE gem
eral board" said one senator, would
speedily have the government investing
most OF its revenues, as the Weld Of taxes
runs now. In preparedness on the sea-"
OF course Secretary Daniels released
the firss report of the general board only
becau,e this ultrapreparedness advocates
were demanding it, Representative
Gardner Of Massachusetts called for the
text during the early days Of the session
and mis- request wa. echoed from several
quartz
OTHER SENATORS REBELLIOUs.
Holiday talx az the Capitol cannot al.
ways be relied upon. but there seems to be
considerabl, denocr+t,, rebellion in pros.
pect in the Sena,A on divers administra .
ton matters. At least two or three of tho
group of democratic senators who left the
reservation in the last Congress. are Il,
their dances again, This does not neces.
sarily apply to Senator Hoke Smith ri
Georgia, who is conducting vigorous agi
tation against President Wilson's foreign
policy. Ho is animated by the difficultie,
of the South in getting the market 4
wants in Europe for its cotton. Senator
Smith has made a specially Of this TO
moro than a year and continues 60 figh
hard But there is no warrant for assum
ing that he will not support the admins
traton when it comes to a show down.
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, how
ever, Ii not reconcied because his arch
political enemy, Mr. Bryan. has left tn
cabinet He is a pronounced conservative
on several administration topics. havinI
fought the federal reserve hank bill, l
will be remembered. and also the admins
tration shipping bill Senator O'Gormal
Of New York co-operated In the opposi
ton to both measures He and Senate
Hitchcock are now talking at the CapitC
against the Presidents conduct of foreig
relations, and probably will work muc
with the republicans in that regard