The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-31
KERN LEADS ATTACK
ON Big DEFENCE PLAN
Senate Leader Joined by House
Chief Kitchin Against
S5OO,OOO.OOO Outlay.
CALLS AT WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON. Aug. 3o.-Admlnistra-
tion officials let 1t be known to-day that
as soon as the Arabic crisis rpay be con-
sidered as settled President Wilson will
concentrate his attention on the national
defence programme.
1t Is known already that the President
and his advisers are giving careful con-
sideration to the subject of army and
navy increases. II Is understood that
strong pressure Is being exerted upon
the Administration to adopt a conserva-
tive course in shaping the national de-
fence policy This was indicated to-day
by a statement made by Senator Kern OF
Indiana, Democratic leader Of the Sen
ate, who was a caller at the White
House
Senator Kern declared emphatically
that the sentiment of the people In mis-
section OF the country was against the
expenditure OF $500 600, 900 on army and
navy Increases He said he thought that
this statement applied with like force to
the sentiment east OF the Allegheny
Mountains.
Mr.. Kern's utterance attracted much
attention among persons who are closely
watching developments regarding the ma
tional defence policy, for II has come 10
be accepted generally in well Informed
circles here that the recommendations
about to be submitted to President Will
son by Secretary Daniels and Secretary
Garrison would call for the expenditure
of approximately the amount named.
The Senator would not give his utter
ances tangible form In respect or the
number OF warshps or of the size or the
army increases which should be author
lied. He merely declared his opposition
and that OF his constituents TO Dig
army and navy programme lie DeneNen
that they would oppose any appropria-
tions for a considerable number or super
dreadnoughts. He said the ardor Tor
big navy does not exceed the ardor TO-
war In Indiana. ~.
Down INV way" he continued. I'VE
do not believe that at the END OF inns
war. when all OF the beIligerent nations
have spent their strength. We need to
fear that any one OF them will send
men 5000 miles across the Atlantic
Ocean TO overrun this country or ours.
The utterances OF the majority leader
of the Senate are in accord with the
view expressed by Representative Claude
Kltchin of North Carolina, who is slated
10 succeed Senator-elect Underwood In
the House leadership.
Since the President authorized the an
nouncement from the White House more
than a month ago which was accepted
by the country as an earnest OF his com
mitment to a programme of adequate
army and navy development there
have been increasing evidences in add
tlon to the pronouncements from thu
ma iority leaders Of Congress that the
Administration has a hard task before
il I'm pushing it's programme to enact
ment
In the midst of these recurrent reports
as to public sentiment President Wilson
is finding 1t hard to steer steady
course.
The word which comes from higl,
official source however, Is that the Pres
ident has not wavered because OF these
discouragements and that he Is pre-
pared to "go through" with the policy
he indicated in the White House an
nouncement OF july 23,