Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-20
CLAUDE K|TCH|k
Democratic Floor Leader Of National
House

Raleigh. \ G.. NoV. @.-Hcprcscnta-
t;yc claude Ki;chn'., promised public
statement defending his opposition to
the Wilson program If national de-
fence WIS further delayed Thursday
night, hut his letters Ia various North
raro.inana gave the reasons for his
course.
These letters were powerfully rccn-
forced last night when the North Car
dina Farmers Union of io,0eo mem
hc:a wen, unrescrVcdly on record
against any increase in army ~ navy
expense and badc all farmers look be-
hind the influences working toward
r-epa rcdness before they Vote greater
army and navy appropriations.
Mr.. Kitchins district has spoken
strongly against his rebellion, but only
the newspapers; have given expression
t" that dspleasure. Singing editorials
daily appear in the papers of his dis
trict, but the boost Of the 10000 farm
ers, representing so per cent. or 1000
400 of the North Carolina population,
gives to friends of President Wilson
in Raleigh a feeling of anxiety.
Mr.. kitchin's Resentment
Mr. kitchin resentS the attitude Of
New York papers and to North Caro-
linans interested more or less private
ly, h" has written strong letters charc-
Ing that misinformatIon is being
spread and real conditions suppressed.
To a constituent from Wilson. Il town
in his district, he has written, accord
ing to voters there. that Admiral
Fletcher, backed by Secretary Daniels.
said before a committee, at which Mr..
Daniels and Mr.. Wilson were present
"Our navy is superior to GermanyS or
any other. except Great Britain and
that Capt WHITEWATER being asked if
the American navy could meet SUCCESS
fully the ships of Germany, replied
YES.
He quotes Admiral Fletcher as deny
ing that he ever said "Germanys navy
is superior to ours" Germany knows
that by every test our navy is superior
in strength and efficiency to hers
Mr. kltchn is further quoted as de-
Tending his argument that submarines
and smaller craft will defend Amer
lea. He declares that The Associat ed
Press sent out the story of the de-
struction Of submarines to counteract
the effect of an interview the day be-
fore of tho secretary uf the navy in
which he favored a great increase of
submarines
The House leader is still further
quoted by a friend as having said that
Secretary Daniels declared that under
no condition did he thini. naval con-
struction should proceed differently
from what 1t would have done had
there been no war This constituent
understood President Wilson to have
expressed the same statement
Attack on Daniels
When Mr.. kitclin makes his public
statement it is understood that he will
tell his constituents that in reading
the London papers about Oct. 3 there
was no reference to the alleged de-
struction of 100 submarines belonging
to Germany by the British. His allie
cation that The Associated Press was
engaged in offsettinS the Daniels rhap-
sody on our navy will he publicly
made. il is said. Mr.. Daniels is charg-
ed as being still further inconsistent
annually.
Everybody knows the falseness of
the submarine story" Mr.. kitchin
says. and it was intended to draw the
attention of the country from the eff
Cacy of the submarine to the dread
nought." While nobody has any letter
on that subject, it is learned in Rail
eigh that Mr.. kitchin is favorable to
the training of $4,000 commissioned Of
ficers to handle the 1000. 900 soldiers
proposed.
The representative does not believe
that Germany had 1000 submarines and
believes that if England had destroyed
them an immediate attack upon Ger
many's coast would have resulted in a
hasty conclusion to the war.
Until today Mr.. Kitchin was UNI
doubtedly at odds with every state pa :
per except the Greensboro News The
farmers bring into the discussion it's
most disturbing element They are be-
ing told that the appropriations mean
conf1scation Of their property for the
necessary tax. The Kitchin district is
overwhelmingly agricultural and pre-
eminentiy provincial
Farmers in Politics
1t Is believed locally that action of the
farmers was foreshadowed long enough
ago to make kitchin safe in leading the
fight against national defence. The
Farmers Union insists that it has 10
political or sectarian character but its
president this week urged it to enter pei