The Washington times., 1915-11-06
Politicians Place Suoh lntsFpre.
tatIon on Statement De.
nouncing Wilson's Speech.
LOOKED on AS sHREWD PLAY
Certain Classes Of congressman
viii joTuIly Seize 0pportun.
ity, Is Prediction.

That former Secretary Of state Will
liam J. Bryan hopes to corral tho
pork barrel vote In Congress In his
night against President Wilson's nation
al defense program II the interpreta-
ton placed in political circles on his
statement denouncing the President
Manhattan Club speech.
BY basing his opposition to the Presi-
dents program partly on the ground
that the money proposed to be spent
on army units and warships could be
expended to better advantage on In
ternal improvements. Mr.. Bryan. It Ia
felt. has played shrewdiy upon the
cupidity ofsthose accustomed to rely
on generous Congressional appropris-
tions for postofYices and river and har-
Dor work to keep them IN Congress.
The pork barrel statesmen have
been feeling rather dubious about this
proposition to devote some Of tho
money heretofore sauandered on pub
lie building In their districts to the
cause OF better preparedness.
Expected To Line Up.
Consequently. II is expected that they
Will joyfully embrace the opportunity
of lining up with Mr.. Bryan and con-
cealng the real motive of their oppo-
sition to the defense program behind
the high moral and pacltist doctrines
of the Nebraskan.
National Democratic leaders wNs
have thoroughly sized UP the attitude
OF MIR. Bryan haven't the slightest
doubt In their own minds that the ngnt
he has launched against the President
| definitely sewers his political relations
! a..l -I-A
| result. II not the purpose. OF the attack
the next Democratic national conven-
ton against the denomination Of Presi-
| dent Wilson.
In this connection. It Is pointed out.
the defense program to which President
Wilson has pledged himself covers a
period OF Ave years. and thus commits
him. IL reelected. to a continuation OF
the policy to which Bryan IL opposed.
That national defense is to be an issue
REGARDED as more than likely. and fos
that reason IL Is believed that Mr..
Bryan will do his utmost to have as the
Democratic candidate q pacihst aftei
his own heart. Should he md i diff.
not unlikely that he, himself might bs
q candidate for the nominaSph, - a, y
National Leaders Gloomy.
i HitokcthuI dcs haSlohoA iedueTb 4io
gloomy over the outlook. not because
they believe that the Presidents pro-
gram will be defeated. or that Mr.
Bryan will succeed In preventing his re-
nomination. but because they see In the
break all tho disastrous consequences
which came to the Republican party
with the detection Of former President
Roosevelt.
Last Tuesdays elections. with the Re-
publican gains recorded therein are
chalked up on the wall In a handwrit-
Ing that Is far from reassur1ng, how
ever cheerful . face the leaders have
put on In public. II nothing else they
showed that the Republican party.
chsstened by its defeat in 1919. has
largely reunited. and that only . united
Democratic party plus favorable cir
cumstances not now foreseen will be
able to win next year.
with a divided party It Is feared that
President wilson's chances for re-eiec-
ton would be well-nigh hopeless.