New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-09
WILSON HARKENS
TO EZEKIEL AS
7. R. BESOUGHT
President EnliSts for De
fence Prophet Invoked
by Colonel.
BIBLICAL BLAST
BY BRYAN COURTED
Nebraskan's Followers DWindle
as Preparedness Programme
Gains Strength in Congress.
fFrom Tn. Tribune Bureau !

iFrom Tn. Tribune Buresul
Washington, Nov. s.-President 8. Will
con took leaf from Colonel Roose-
velt's defence propaganda to-day when.
in a letter to Seth Low, exMayor of
New York, he quoted Scripture in sup
port Of his plans for preparedness.
The President devoted large part OF
the day to the subject. He conferred
with Claude Kitchin, of South Carolina,
who is expected to be the next majority
leader of the House, and with Chairman
Hay of the House Military Affairs Com
mttee.
Mr.. Hay already has pledged his sup
port to the army programme. Mr..
Kitchin announced after his conference
that he was sorry he would be unable to
support the navy plans. but he believed
he was in a minority.
The Presidents use Of the Colonel's
ammunition aroused much interest in
the executive departments. Mr. Roose-
welt published in THE Metropolitan"
last August an article on peace Insur-
ance by Preparedness Against War"
which began:
"ln the 33d Chapter OF the great
prophet Ezekiel, the first six verses run
as follows and then the verses were
quoted:
81 very heartily commend these
verses" the Colonel went on, "to the
prayerful consideration of all those in
high political office. whether Presidents.
Secretaries of State, or leaders of the
Senate and House at Washington, and
to all male and female college presi-
dents, clergymen. editors and publiFists
of pacific tendencies; and, above AL, to
the sometimes well meaning souls who
have fallen victims to the habit Of pro-
longed and excessive indulgence in at
tending universal peace meetings and
giving, and listening to, lectures on i'm
mediate universal peace and disarma-
ment.'
Prophet Stirred Wilson.
President Wilson's letter to Mr.. Low
follows:
81 thank you very warmly for your
generous letter of the 9th of November
and for your courtesy in letting me see
a copy of your remarks on the merchant
marine question.
81 am particularly gratified that you
should so fully concur in the position
took in my speech TO the Manhattan
Club. There is a quotation from Eze-
kiel which | have had very much in my
mind recently in connection with these
important matters. IL is the I'd, Sd, 4th,
9TH and 9th verses of Chapter 80:
"'2. Son of man, speak TO the chill
dren of my people, and say unto them.
When | bring the sword upon land, II
the people of the land take man from
among them, and set him for their
watchman:
"'3. If. when he seeth the sword
come upon the fand, he blow the trum-
pet, and warn the people;
"4. Then, whosoeyer heareth the
sound of the trumpet, and taketh not
warning if the sword come, and take
him away, his blood shall be upon his
own head.
as. He heard the sound Of the trum-
pet. and took not warning; his blood
shall be upon him: Whereas If he had
taken warning he would have delivered
his soul.
"'6. But If the watchman see the
sword come, and blow not the trumpet,
and the people be not warned and the
sword come, and take any person from
among them; he is taken away IN MS
iniauity, but his blood VIII | require at
the watchman's hand. a.,
Washington is now waiting Tor Mr'
BRYAN TO take up the Biblical gauntlet.
According TO the plan OF campaign ne
announced, every public statemeht Oh
the President will be followed Dy
counter-blast from the Commoner' ana
those who know him expect thst ne VIII
trv 70 turn Mr.. Wilson's own weapons
against him. Il is expected tnat the
Rrvan quotations will be handed out to-
morrow.
kitchin Still a Rebel.
The President spent more than an
hour in his attempt TO convert MI
Kitcbin. hut .he latter ended by serv-
inc notice that he would fight the naval
building programme 10 the end. ..
THE interview was a pleasant one
said Mr.. Kitchin as he left the exec
utivc Offices. Il regret TO say now
ever. that | cannot support the Presl-
dents naval programme. / dld not
discuss the army programme with MN;
| shall fight il as an individual and
not as floor leader. ! will not say
more at this time. but will give my
reasons on the floor Of the House.
feel. though. that | shall be in the MI
nority in the fight
In spite of Mr.. Kitchn's avowal that
his fight will be made only as an in
dividual. il is recognized that his op-
position will be strong, and II IS known
that he will have the support OF a con-
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