Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-22
Refuses to Reveal Theme Of
Conference With President
Wilson Today.
PEACE TRIP TO EUROPE
PROBABLY DISCUSSED
Nebraskan Wanted to Know if Jour.
ney Would Embarrass Admins
tration, It Is Said.

w. J. bryan spent 1orty-1ouf
minutes with President Wilson
today; walked out OF the White
House and was confronted by a
small army of newspaper men
told them that he was delighted
to see them, but could not say a
word about any subject discussed
between himself and the Presi-
dent; intended to leave tonight at
D:3o o'clock for a tour of the
south and southwest; had not
made up his mind whether
he would go to Europe, and
was generally mum about every
thing except that he was per-
fectly willing that the reporters
should assist in advertising the
leasing of his house in this city.
Mr.. Bryan rode to the White House
In an electric coupe, on the door of
which were the initials H. S. b." and
which the visitor said he had bought
secondhand. The cut glass flower
withered daisies. but doves of peace
and similar emblems were missing.
Mr.. Bryan did not wish to discuss
suggestions that if he goes to Europe
tuted an envoy of the administration.
The suggestion caused him to smile
broadly. Neither would he talk about
the Mexican situation. in view of the
fo lot hot ha will int
month on his speaking tour.
Might Be Indelicate to Talk.
Mr.. Bryan intimated that he had no
objections to making his attitude
known on any given subject. but be-
lieveti that it would be indicate for
him to do so following a talk with the
President. 1t might be misunderstood.
What looms up as the most serious
difference between the President and
Mr.. Bryan Is that of national defense.
Mr.. Bryan has told friends that he
does not favor the expenditure Of a
than provided for in the appropriation
bills for the present fiscal year.
He thinks that the navy is being in
creased permanently and satisfactorily
under plans heretofore followed by the
Navy Department and Congress, and
he does not believe a standing army of
100000 men would afford any more real
protection to the country against for
eign attack than the present army.
The President. on the other hand, is
committed to extended increases in the
armament and defense measures gener-
ally of the navy and army. His most
important message to Congress at the
coming session will be on national de-
fense. and his suggestions as to the
course that will be pursued. His plans
are sure to meet with opposition from
two elements-one which will declare
protect the country, and the other
which believes he has gone too far. A
third element will take the position
that no increases are necessary.
Course Not Revealed.
Mr.. Bryan has given no intimation
whether he proposes to fight additional
preparedness for war when the legis-
lation is before Congress or will SIM
ply be content to make his views on the
question public.
Il was believed today that the Presi-
dent. although the interview was re-
quested by Mr. Bryan. took occasion to
ascertain the Nebraskan's views on de-
fence preparation and to explain to
some extent his own plans in that re-
gard. 1t was not generally believed
however, that the conference was In
the nature of a discussion of a wide
range of questions upon which the two
men are known to differ widely, and
upon which they could not agree II
they tried.
1t was said this afternoon that Mr..
Bryan desired to ask President Wilson
II the Sebraskan's proposed trip to
Europe on peace mission of his own
was likely to give embarrassment to
the administration because of his for
mer connection as Secretary of State,
and WAS told that the visit would not
conflict with the program Of the ad-
mtnistration in any way. In this con-
nection the President is understood to
have told Mr.. Bryan about much impor-
tant information he has from abroad sc
that Mr.. Bryan will know facts and
sentiments as they come from official
sources.