Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1915-12-27
Mr.. Bryan and the Message

Message
The opening article the page of the
Commoner for December is a rather beIated analysis
by Mr. Bryan of the presinents message congress
The first brief paragraph of the message is
mandatory. Mr.. Bryan endorses the recommendation
for legislation looking the independence of the
Philippines though what respect legislation
going to bring about that result hasten it,
perceive. Legislation preparations and
without preparation. even democrats agree that
the Filpinos, FOR their good. should be
granted independence The American government
for fourteen years engaged in the of prep
artton but for the last three three has been
interrupted by observing democrats" Mr.. Bryan
approves also the recommendation for legislation
affecting Porto Rico and also that part O mes
sage favoring government controlled merchant
marine.
But this brief paragraph Of approval is only
PREDATORY severe arraisnment Of the presidents
preparedness program and his scheme of taxation
t" out that plan which Mr. Bryan predicts Will
find increasing opposition both parties
As to preparedness, he believes that Pan
Americansm, if differs Monroe Doctrine.
ought to lessen rather than increase necessity
for Preparedness If a small army and navy were
sufficient to enforce the Monroe Doctrine when the
Latn-American countries suspicious o the
United States why do need an increase now when
that suspicion is removed and when the republics
Central and South America are willing to cooperate
with us in the support of the Monroe Doctrine"
Mir. Bryan does not know that the Latin American
countries ready cooperate with us now
in that respect; and if they are ready no man
knows that they viii be ready five or ten years
hence. Mr.. Bryan should remember enough of
American history to know that have never en-
forced the Monroe Doctrine with small army and
navy. 1t has been enforced but and that
when, the close Civl War we had
than million trained veterans under arms ana
navy which, though not the largest the
modern and best differed in world. distin-
guished French statesman has since declared that
but for that preparedness by the United States
French troops would not have abandoned Mexico
but that other French armies would have been sent
10 sustain the empire of MaXimian
At the time of the Venezuelan boundary dispute
Mr. Clevelaud's notification Great Britain may be
considered by some as having been enforcement
of the Monroe Doctrine but was not. We now
know very well that could have enforced it
at that time, except the end a long and costly
war in the beginning of which would have suf-
fered many defeats while preparing for war and
our navy would have been swept from the seas. But
10 Great Britain the game not worth the candle
The friendship of States the British com
mercial relations with this country were far more
valuable than that disputed strip in
South America.
time have we had serious occasion
to attempt the enforcement OF Monroe Doctrine.
We have merely asserted it just the helpless
mother-bird on her shrieis imaginary prowI-
ing cats and marauding boys, her determination to
protect her young.
Mere interesting and more worthy o consdera-
ton is the analysis with respect to the presidents
taxation scheme. 1t is that that may wreck all his
plans including his preparedness program Though,
since Nj. Bryan's analysis written congress has
consented to extension of war tax for a year.
it is not likely that majority in congress viii favor
increase of from source The repul)-
Hcans will certainly oppose Mr.. Bryan says
many oppose certain pr0Dosed
increases. Also, there win be serious division over
the proposed revision tax law
Tho republicans will insist on the sale of the
unsold Panama bonds also they will on tariff
revision. Mr. Bryan assumes that these are matters
that must be settled before a preparedness program
can be agreed upon and he feels it cannot
be agreed without republican Intervention.