The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-06
WILSON LAYS HIS
PLANS FOR DEFENSE
WIN Endeayor to Win An Parties to
Program TO Strengthen Army
and Navy.
KrTCH1N AND HAY OPPOSE
Two Chairman of Important House
Committees Said to Be Against
Both Navy and Army Increases at
This Time.

Cornish, n. H, Aug 5.-President
Wilson is laying his plans for copine
with the political opposition 10 tne
administrators national defense pro-
gram.
The Presidents advisors are aware
that his program for an elaborate re-
organization and increase OF the army
will meet with bitter opposition WITHIN
the Democratic party In Congress.
ana an important feature of his propo-
sitipn for the forthcoming session
is q provision for smothering TINS
opposition.
he is planning to hold a series OF con-
ferences with the chairmen OF the
naval and military committees OF
the House and Senate following ms
return to Washington.
Plans to Win support.
He IA determined to secure the sup
port of the leaders of these commit
tees for his program at the outset
of the session so that by the time the
session gets under way ne may De
enabled to devote his attention to the
onposition to the increased arma-
ment projects. which Ia certain to de-
velop within the ranks of the Demo-
cratic membership.
The President already has written
to Chairman Padgett, of the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, asking
him to come 10 the White House Tor
a conference In the latter part OF Au-
gust Similar letters have been, or
will be, written Chairman Hay, OF the
House Committee on Military Ar
fairs: Senator Chamberlain, chairman
of the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs. and Senator Tfllman, chair
man of the Committee on Naval AT
fairs-
WIN Consult Chairmen.
Mr.. Wilson said that. although his
plans for the national defense pro-
gram are indefinite at this time, he
will consult the naval and military
affairs chairnen in order to map out
the program Of national defense De-
fore Congress meets
These conferences will not take
place until after the reports of Secre-
tary of War Garrison and Secretary OF
the Navy Daniels. presenting the esti-
mates for the needs of the two services
In the forthcoming year, have been
received by the President and studied
by him TO the point where he is de-
cfded as to what recommendations ne
lis inclined to accept. II is probable
that both cabinet officials will attend
the conferences over their respective
the conferences with Chairman Pad
gett has been arranged for a short
time after the Presidents arrival in
Washington, which is expected to have
the report of Secretary of the Navy
Daniels, as well as that of Secretary
Garrison in his hands by the time
he gets back. =
The belief here is that the confer
ences win be we'll under way before
the end of August, SO that IL events
| seem to justify the calling of spe-
| be open for the orderly progress OF
] the administration measures as soon
as the session convenes.
May Consult Republicans, Too.
The conferences with the leaders of
the two committees, 1t Is believed.
may be extended TO inciud the leading
members OF the majority membership
of these bodies, and possibly to the
ranking Republicans.
The Presidents plans frankly are
design ed to obviate friction. and their
disclosure at this time directs atten-
tion to the fears which his advisors
entertain for a stormy session.
Pre-eminent in the minds of the
Administrations strategists IL the as
surance of ex-Secretary Bryan viii
deem II a logical step 10 oppose the
army and navy increases, which the
President Is practically committed to
already. There is no tendency in
their minds to discount the strength
OF the following Mr. Bryan will be
able TO muster in the House. where
number OF the present leaders are
still regarded as his friends.
Hay and Kitchin Oppose.
Opposition 10 looked for IN other
quarters, however. For one thing
Representative Claude Kitchin, of
North Carolina. who is slated for the
craftsmanship OF the Ways and Means
Committee. and the majority leader
ship, already has given out an In
terview placing himself on record as
opposed to a big battleship program.
Another disquieting factor was the ac-
ton of Representative Hay, OF Vir-
ginia, chairman of the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs. In giving
out a similar interview with respect
to the army increases.
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