Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-11-12
WILSON TELLS DEFENSE PLANS BRYAN D|SACREES
President Outlines Preparedness Program Speech
Urging Larger Citizen Soliery System of Naval
Observation-Disclosures Secretary of and
may Announces Opposition.
Bryan's Opposing Argument.

S"" opPoSiHS argument.
The day following President Viii
sons presentation of his defense pro
gram, former Secretary of State
Bryan came out squarely against the
plan in formal statement in which
he took issue with the president and
declared Wilson's proposals to be SO
departure from our traditions; a re.
versal of our national policy, a men.
ace to our peace and safety, and a
challenge to the spirit of Christianity
which teaches us to influence others
by example, rather than by exciting
fear"
The former secretary of states
statement, which reiterates views he
has previously expressed on the sub.
ject of preparedness for war, was re.
garded as the opening gun in the
fight which administration leaders
expect in congress against adoption
of the plan. Bryan's position was
known by the president before he
made his speech in New York. The
presidents present plan is not to
make any answer to Bryan's criti-
cism.
Cannot Criticise Motives.
II have read the president
speech at New York with sorrow and
concern" Bryan said in his formal
statement. "He is doing what he be-
lieves to be his duty and so long as a
man follows his conscience and judy
ment we cannot criticise his motives,
but we may be compelled to dissent
from his conclusions. l feel it my
duty to dissent, and as he has given
his views with clearness and empha-
sis those who differ from him are
under like obligation to express
themselves with equal clearness.
''He has announced a policy which
las never before been adopted in this
and never Endorsed by any
party in the country, and he has no
way of knowing, until he hears from
he people whether he has correctly
Interpreted the will of the public.
His appeal is not to any party, but as
ne says, to men of all shades of opin-
on
IF we're not threatened by any
nation, II our relations with all ma
ions are friendly. if everybody knows
hat we're able to defend ourselves
If necessary, and If there is no fear
among us, why is this time chosen to
our national theories
and to exchange our policy for the
policy Of Europe?
There has not been time in fifty
years when there was less reason to
add to the expenses Of the army and
navy, for we are not only without an
enemy, but our preparedness is In
,reasing relatively as other nations
exhaust themselves. And there never
has been a time in our whole history
when our duty to the world more
demanded self-restraint
and the counsels of peace"
Resents Charges of Disloyalty.
Some of the Eastern newspapers
charged Bryan with
being traitor to his party and dis
oyal to the president, which prompt
I'd another statement from the Ne
Draskan a day or so later, in which
he said:
THE presidents appeal was not to
he members of his party, but to
people of all shades of opinion
When" he asked, did it become I'M
patriotic for a citizen to differ from
1 president? When did it become
iisloyal for a Democrat to differ from
/ Democratic president on an issue
which the president declares to be
II am doing what believe is the
luty of every citizen to do" he add.
I'd. How can the president know
what people think unless individuals
express themselves? Why should
hose who disapprove his plans be
silent? The editors of metropolitan
papers who daily swing incense be-
ore the special interests do not hesi-
ate to express an opinion as to what
he country needs. Why should a
country editor like myself be denied
he privilege? And why should a
Democrats friendship for the presi-
lent be questioned because he differs
rom him on an issue like this, which
has nothing in the history of the
country or the party to commend it?"