Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1915-06-24
BRYAN ATTACKS
ROOSEVELT'S PLAN
APPEALS FOR PEACE IN AD-
DRESS IN NEW YORK UNDER
LABOR AUSPICES

tary Of State Bryan tonight launched
his speaking campaign to srystalize
sentiment behind the president for q
peaceful solution of difficulties that
may arise with European belligerents.
His first public address since he left
the cabinet was made at a meeting in
Carnegie hall under the auspices of or
ganized labor. He assailcd Colonel
Roosevelt and supports of the increas-
ed army and navy movement, and
lightly chastised former President
Taft.
"Mr. Roosevelt might be excluded
from the list of the nations advisors
on all matters relating to peace or war
on the ground that he is so anxious to
get into any contest that involves
blood-letting that he cannot be trust
ed to deal with any phase of the sub
ject," said Bryan.
Launched Thousand Ships"
"'Is this the face that launched a
thousand Ships" asks poet, the ques-
ton being inspired by the farfamed
beauty of Helen of Troy. Can it be
possible that our pungnacious former
president is fired by the ambition to
so $ fill the seas with fighting craft as
to suggest to those who look upon the
portraits which will present his like
ness to succeeding generations the
same question: rs this the face that
launched thousand ships ?"
Former President Taft's devotion to
the cause of peace, the former secre-
tary of state said, need not be ques-
toned. But he expressed serious
doubts as to the advisability of fol-
lowing the precepts laid down by the
"league to enforce peace"
Excuse for Supporting Roosevelt
"If the purpose of Mr.. Roosevelt's
organization is to make preparation
for war pleasant, Mr.. Taft's organiza-
ton may be regarded as furnishing
plausible pretext for the prepara-
ton which Mr.. Roosevelt advises y
said the speaker. "The Taft plan gives
an excuse for supporting the Roose-
velt plan." .
"The great mass of our people, raid
Bryan, "prefer the use of reason to tn:
use of force in the settlement Of inter
national differences. The voice Of this
peaceloving mass is not always heard
it is sometimes drowned in the noisy
clamor of that portion Of the press
which represents the special interests
LabOring Man Desires Peace
"Of all the advocates of peace, none
has deeper interest in its preserva.
ton than the laboring man. He not
only has no pecuniary interest in the
war, but he recognizes that war is
hurtful to him, no matter from what
standpoint it is viewed. 1t upsets bus
mess and that is likely to subject the
laboring man to idleness; it increases
taxes and the poor man pays more
than his share of the taxes. Then
too, he may be called upon to offer
himself as a defender in arms: in
fact, the laboring men are most likely
to respond to the first call.
"It is natural, therefore, that a
neace movement should begin with
the laboring men. It is natural, also
that labor should favor the govern
ment ownership and operation of the
manufacturing plants upon which the
nation must rely for its weapons of
defense and for the ammunition re-
quired. This form would not only
contribute to the governments in
dependence, but it would rid the eoun-
try of the menace of a sordid private
interest which sails under false flags
and, protesting a superior patriotism,
breaches the gospel Of preparedness
for war because it sees in this policy
the prospect of securing rich govern
ment contracts"
Roosevelt's Plan Attacked
Bryan dwelt at length upon the ac-
tivities of the organization "for ma
tional security" in which group he
designated Colonel Roosevelt as the
"most potential factor" If the gen
eral policies of this organization were
carried oot, he said, the world would
witness a race to see what nation
could fit out the greatest navy and
army.
"When Mr.. Roosevelt's plan is COM
pleted, which God forbid it ever will,
the United States will be a vast arm
ory with skull and crossbones above
the door," said Bryan, "and the de-
signing architect of that system will
20 in and out in uniform. with proud
consciousness that our nation no long
ed contains mollycoddles or weak
lings."
Bryan concluded with an appeal for
support of the principle of arbitration
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