Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-27
PARTY LEADERS, WITH EARS TO
GROUND, AWAIT PUBLIC
DEMANDS.
REPUBLICANS AWAIT
DEMOCRATIC ACTION
Reception Of Administration Program
on National Defense by the General
Public TO Go Far Toward Shaping
Republican PIatform-EarIy conven-
ton Believed Good Move.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Dec. 2I.-What will be
the attitude of the republican party on
preparedness in the next campaign?
This is question which is being
widely asked by both republicans and
democrats in congress. 1t would not be
matter of fact, though a great deal has
been said about the division of the
democrats on the issue of national de-
tense, the republicans of house and
senate are about widely divided.
Partly because the democrats are in
power and have the responsibility in
the eyes of the nation, and partly be-
cause so CONSPICUOUS a political figure
as Bryan is leading the revolt against
preparedness in his patty. tie demo-
cratic factionalism has been much more
emphasized than has the republican
difference of view over the wisdom of
increased army and navy and enlarged
ornaments.
Opposition From Middle West
1t is doubtful, too, whether the prog
ress Of the debate over the military bill!
and the navy bill will serve to unite
the republicans in congress on the
proposition of how far the government
should go in way of preparedness. The
general situation is that the eastern
republicans and those from the far west
are strong for preparedness. But the
republicans from the middle west are
either lukewarm in most cases or are
opposed to increased preparation, tho
there are some exceptions to this.
Among the democrats one finds the op-
position to preparedness chiefly among
members from the middle west and
south.
But in one reset, the republican
party chiefs think they are going to
have a big advantage over the demo-
Gratis. In the convention beginning
next June I at Chicago. they will have
to adopt a plank dealing with the ma
tional convention beginning June IA.
Necessarily their convention will be
forced TO stand by what they do In
congress. tho nobody knows yet what
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.
Republicans Have First Say.
Much wonderment has been ex-
pressed as to why the republicans put
their convention ahead of the demo-
cratic convention, tho the minority
party usually follows the majority
party. The chief reason. 1t appears.
was that the republicans thought 1t
would be advisable to say the first
platform word on preparedness and
say it in a fashion that would empha-
size the faults Of the democratic pre-
paredness legislation in congress. II, as
expected. it is found to be faulty when
put thru.
Congress just now is considerably In
the air as to what the public really
wants on national defense. But by
next June it will probably be better
understood what is the public temper.
The republicans think that when their
convention is held, knowing the pubic
mind as they expect to by that time.
they can declare themselves. thru their
platform, in a way to meet the appro-
val of a large majority OF the voters
II there is too big an cutlery against
prepa redness, they can speak accord
ingly. II the country Is demanding
more preparedness than the democrats
provide for. the republican platform can
be so shaped.
Politics to Figure Prominently.
It may be said this is applying poll
tics and nothing but politics to Vital
pubiic question, but the truth !s that
both parties are showing more dispo-
sition to try to catch the public opin-
ion on national defense than they are
to the consideration Of the prepared
ness problem from strictly strategic
and international standpoint
Much talk has been going the ROUNDS
that preparedness would be considered
by congress in a non-partisan spirit
So IL will, TO certain extent. But only
to a certain extent. 1t Is going 70
nrove impossible to keep politics our
Of this issue and the discussion both OF
national defense and OF revenue legis-
lation will find the air thick with pol
itics. while the average member VIII
no. hesitate to trim his sails to suit
sentiment in his state or district. BY
the same token. the defense question
will 20 into the conventions and Will
be a CONSPICUOUS subject for the 191t
campaign.
Sometimes fight is decided by the
first blow. Sometimes, it isn't. Any
how. the republicans think it won't be
amiss next June to get in the first YER
bal lick on, preparedness.