Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-12-29
Facing Division of Party Presi.
dent May Turn to Public to
Force Hand of Congress
on Preparedness.
GREAT FIGHT is AHEAD
Between Bryan and Roosevelt
Views on the Issue Executive
Hopes to Convince Country
Plan Is Reasonable.

washington. Dec. 23.-facilS not
more divided party, upon the gravest
problem he yet has lait, before con-
gress to he worked out--that Of ade-
quate national defense-President Will
son will appeal to the people of the
country, II it becomes necessary. to get
some preparedness program through
that will meet the substantial demands
AS he sees it-of the present situation
OF unpreparedneSS.
That Professionalism the president
would carry the case to the people by
speeches presenting the urgent needs
of the s~ituation-was made by one OF
the close advisers of the administra-
ton. Coupled with it was the admis-
sion that the administration was dis
appointed at the reception tie recon-
mendations of the president and sec
retaries of war and navy a received
within the majority party.
The administration as done little
thus far to sound out the exact sentl-
ment in congress-. The wedding and
the complicated state OF foreign affairs
growing out of the Austrian note en-
crossed the president before the holi-
day adjournment. 1t is said. however,
that Immediately upon the RECOMMENDING
or congress the president will begin
reellng out the situation by calling in
influential MEMBERS of the delegations
from each state to get a line on the
sentiment, not only of the members.
but of the people back home. But
enough Of dissatisfaction and division
over the defense program has found
it's way to the White House to make it
known there will have to be some real
11ghting done if the entire program is
not to go by the boards.
There is no doubt here in any circles
thai the sentiment of the ountry is
emphatic for congress doing some-
thing to strengthen the army and
navy. In fact, critics OF the admiris-
tration charge the only reason the
president took III the preparedness is
sue and presented it as he did to con-
gress as the main problem 10 be met
by the present body, in face Of his mt
terances on the same subject a YEAR
before, was because he recognized this
emphatic demand of the American peo-
did not meet the question fairly, the
republicans would take it up as tin. is
sue Tor l9l6-a most dangerous one
from a political standpoint, because OF
the patriotic appeal involved.
Heallzing the democratic party ira
dltlonally was opposed to n larger ar
my or navy, the program the president
mapped out was an extremely conser-
Vatlve one-one he believed he could
get the democrats to support in spite
OF their inherent dislike for increased
army or navy appropriations. The pres
ldent laid his cards on the table before
congress. but thus far 1t has been from
mis- own party that the disposition has
come to back away II refuse to play.
Unless the democrats who went home
ment of their people return With
changed views, the administrations is in
n embarrassing position OF having to
sit by while the minority party-the
republicans-mold the form in which
the defense program is TO go through.
In0 president wa xynrvr co ~, -. 1x1@~.
the defense fight in the position of be-
ing g nOnpartisan one He Is doubly so
now. with the republicans apparently
In absolute position. because OF demo-
cratic disaffection. to dictate what the
president will not be a stickler as to
the exact form the defense legislation
will take. But, If nothing substantial
Is done. it will be because the demo-
cratic party-as the majority and re-
cause 1t r%epudiates the program pre-
sented by its leader in the White
House. And with the campaign ahead
next ear the administration has no in
tention Of seeing this condition arise II
II can help it-even II 1t means in ac-
cepting in a large measure tho pro-
gram nodded by the minority.
Bryan q Tower Of Strength.
At present the administration pro-
gram and President Wilson are be-
tween two fires. On II side is vheo-
dore Roosevelt. who has denounced the
proposals as q makeshift and entirely
Inadequate to meet the situation. On
the other side is William Jennings Bry-
an, whose invisible hand is seen in
much Of the DETECTION Of the demo-
Gratis from the presidents position, cry
ing out against any preparedness The
White House has had q real surprise
IN the strength Of the Bryan Influence
IN congress, and is just beginning to
realize the big tower of strength the
former secretary Of state was 10 the
administration. 1t was Wilson's first
real fight without Bryan. behind him
to help line congress- up.
soon as congress