The Washington times., 1915-12-23
Party Divided, But Fact Not
Emphasized As That Of
Organization in Power.
FIRST WORD ON PLATFORM
q. O. P. Leaders Believe They
Win Be Able to Take Advan-
tage Of Mistakes.

What will be the attitude Of the Re-
next campaign?
This Is O. question which is being
widely asked by both Republicans and
Democrats in Congress. 1t would not
he essy to find correct answer. As
, matter OF fact, though a great deal
has been said about the division Of the
Democrats on the issue OF national de-
fense the Republicans Of House and
Senate arc about as widely divided.
Partly because the Democrats are in
mower and have the responsibility in
the eyes of the nation. and partly be-
cause so conspicuous political figure
as Bryan is leading the revolt against
nrepsredness in his party, the Demo-
cratic factioralism has been much more
emphasized than has the Republican
difference Of view over the wisdom or
Increased army and navy and enlarged
armaments.
United Party Doubtful.
It is doubtful. too. whether the prog
ross Of the debate over the military Dill
and the navy bill will serve to unite
the Republicans In Congress on the
proposition of how far the Government
should go in the way of preparation
The general situation is that the East
ern Republicans and those from the
far West are strong for preparedness
But the Republicans from the Mi's1le
West either are lukewarm in most cases
or are opposed to increased preparation,
though there are some executions to
this. Among the Democrats. one finds
the opposition TO preparedness chiefly
among members from the Middle West
and South.
But in one respect the Republican
PARTY chiefs think they are going to
have a big advantage over the Demo-
Gratis. In the convention beginning June
at Chicago. they will have to adopt
a plank dealing with the national de-
farse issue in some way. The Demo-
Gratis will have to adopt plank IN
their convention beginning June H.
Necessarily. the Democrats will be
forced to stand by what they do in Con-
that will be. knowing this. the Re
publicans think they can strike note
on the preparedness issue and strike IL
first. which will meet the approval OF
the country.
Want First Word On Platform. ,-
Much wonderment has been expressed
as to why the Republicans put theiI
convention ahead of the Democratic
convention. as the minority party usual
ly follows the majority party. The chie'
reason, it appears, was that the he
publicans thought it would be advisable
to say the first platform word on pre-
naredness and say 1t in a fashion tina
would emphasize the faults OF the Demo
cratic preparedness legislation In con
gress, If, as they expect, 1t should b'
found to be faulty when put through.
i,ia
tho air as to what the public really
wants on national defense. But by nex'
June. Il probably will be better under
stood what Is the public temper. Th'
Hepublicans think that when their con.
vcnton Is held. knowing the public mind
as thcr expect to do by that time. they
can declare themselves through theii
platform in n way to meet the approVa
Of n large majority of the voters. II
there should be too big an outcry
against preparedness. they can speak
accordingly If the country should pt
demanding more preparedness than the
democrats provide for, the ReDublicar
platform can be so shaped.
Both Sides Playing Politics.
1t may be said this Is applying poll
tics. and nothing but politics, to a vita
public question, but the truth IS tina
both parties are showing more dispo
sition to try to catch the public opin
10 the consideration of the preparedness
problem from strictly strategic ant
International standpoint.
Much talk has been going the round
that preparedness would be considered
ny Congress in non-parusah spirit
So It will. to a certain extent. But onl,
to u certain extent. 1t is going to prov
impossible to keep politics out of thi
issue. and the discussion both of ma
tional defense and of revenue leSisla
tion will find the air thick with politics
while the average member will no
hesitate to trim his sails to suit senti
mcnt In his State or district. BY tn
same token, tho defense question vii
20 into the conventions and will be
conspicuous subject for the 1916 cam
paign.
Sometimes fight is decided by III
first blow. Sometimes it isn't. Any
how. tho Republicans think it won't b
nmiss next June to get in the first yer
bal lick on preparedness.