New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-22
BRYAN WAY
BREAK PLANS
Administration Officials
Fear Split Over Defence
Programme,
lFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington, Sept 21.-ExSecretary
of State William Jennings Bryan is eX-
pected to tell President Wilson to-mor-
row that he will oppose any increase IN
the army or navy, no matter what pro
gramme for preparedness may be
worked out and agreed upon by the
President and his military and nava!
advisers. The former Secretary viii
call at the White House tomorrow for
the first time since he resigned from
the Cabinet. II was said tonight that
he had sought the interview himself
Official Washington is much con-
cerned over the fear that a break be
tween the Commoner and his followers
and President Wilson is imminent, and
may date, openly at least, from this
visit If national defence is discussed
at all-and it is confidently believed
that II will be-the views Of the two
men are believed TO be unreconcilable.
Opposes Armament Increase.
Mr.. Bryan is known to be opposed
10 any increase in the army or navy az
all. The President, while he has made
no statement which has been very con-
vincing, nevertheless has indicated by
his call upon Secretary OF the Navy
Daniels and Secretary of War Garrison
Tor comprehensive plans on national de-
fence that he favored some improve
ment.
The General Board Of the Navy is
known TO desire considerably more than
il got last year, when its own recon
mendations we're pruned by Secretary
Daniels from four battleships to two
II also wants submarines, cruisers and
supply boats, not to mention mines and
mine layers Secretary OF War CARR
son he's worked out plan TO increase
and make more effective the army, ou'
the details of this are so far abso
lutelv secret. That they are increases
however. is known, and il is believed
tina, there is a comprehensive plan toi
q reserve to make more available fol
real service the present national guard
II is known that Mr.. Bryan is unal
terably opposed TO any increases IN th'
navy or army at all. He believes rathel
that both are now too large, ana ma
we could get along very conf or'aoiy
and with considerably less taxation ny
signing a few more peace treaues
eliminating the navy building pro
cramme and getting the army dowr
still smaller than it is az present
Fear Party Split.
The Democratic politicians IN consid
orinc to-morrow's conference fear Mr
BRYAN. after failing TO convince th'
President that he is wrong in wanting
mere ships and more troops. VIII serve
formal notice of his intention to hgh'
the Presidents wishes on national de-
fence in Congress and to go before
the country on the national defence
issue.
This. they fear. would mean an ire
trievable split in the party. The large
faction inside the party lines who nave
always followed the Nebrasken bhndl!
opposing the President. II was pointct
out that Mr.. Bryan never had mucf
strength in the East, where the demand
for an adequate national defence is no"
the strongest, but his strength ines
more in the Central West, which. Il
senator Kern speaks for it correctly, il
not particularly disturbed at the UMPIRE
parcdness of this country from mill
tary and naval standpoint.