The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-14

81 ~ - WILL
It is very plain now that the conti- u,
mental army project is weak in Con- |
gress. For one thing, the not incon- !
siderable political power of the State
militia organizations is being enlisted
In opposition, and It Is producing some
telling results in Washington. Con-
gress contains a good many men who.
as State governors or in other capaci-
ties, have had intimate dealings with
the national guard, and who have de-
vised various plans OF their own for inn
provement of that organization. Many
OF these are going to require attention.
The continental army idea on the
other hand has no personal loyalties
and traditions back of 1t. 1t looks very
much like an orphan since the chair
man of the House Military Committee
made plain that he was not able to
agree with the Administration about it.
Testing Sentiment.
Getting down to the bottom of the
muddle. every day makes plain that an
! astonishingly large number Of mem
bers of Congress are convinced that
| the country is not much agitated over
the need for extensive preparation.
Said one Democrat from an Ohio dis
! trict:
Il have been testing sentiment in
my district. which Is an industrial sec
ton OF an industrial city. l sent out
| letters asking expressions OF opinion
whether a large preparedness program
was desirable: showed the present cost
OF army and navy, the arguments in
brief for increasing them, and asked
! for expressions Of opinion. The news
| pa ers printed tho request for opinions
! with a ballot form. for or against the
| preparedness program. Thus far the
vote. on these ballots. which are being
mailed to me voluntarily. is over
whelmingly against the program
/ against any program. In fact. that looks
| to considerable enlargement OF military
| and naval forces. The people don't be-
| licvc there is need for it, and don't
| like it,"
Fearing Militarism.
When this incident was related to a
Wisconsin member he said:
Its the same way in cur State, ex-
cept TIKI the opposition is still strong
&c. The people think they scent mill
tarism ahead they do not believe the
country is I'm danger and they are not
for such a program"
Here is the remarkable case OF anoth-
or Middle Western State. Illustrating
the utter confusion on tho subject. The
State shall be nameless here. The sec
.
! "Ninety-seven and a half letters out
Of every hundred we get, referring to
this subject, are against spending more
money on preparation for war It's all
one way"
Fifteen minutes later the Senator him
self talked about the same subject. ~
few weeks ago, all our people we're
against n military program OF expnn-
sion: now, / think, IL II were submit
ted to a vote, the majority would be
for standing by preparedness, what
ever that may mean. No two or the
writers agree about what they want
but they want something done. ] should
say that Roosevelt's utterances have
had a great influence, for he is very
strong In our State"
Legislative Outlook.
One Of the most capable analysts and
closest observers OF Congressional sit
uations declared that there would be no
important legislation at this session be-
cause the various views could not be
reconcilcd in time 1T will be several
months before the time OF voting will
come" he said, 'and when IL comes
there will have to be some strange
trades.
Government manufacture OF war NIL
nitions will have to be conceded as
part OF the proEram-written right into
tiff the votes of large faction are to
be secured. Now. there are opponents
o. IONtTIlHlCHl manufacture VINO Ietl
just as strongly as do the advocates.
If the Administration deals with the
people who favor that program, 1t will
drive away many who oppose It; and
vice versa. All the elements that op-
pose this country selling munitions OF
war abroad during the European war,
are going to insist on this kind OF legis-
lation. They include all the pro-Ger-
mans, and lot of other people who for
sentimental and conscientious reasons
think il wicked for us to sell the inl-
plements of destruction abroad.
Presidents Influence.
These two factions are generally OPP
! posed in their views about the war: one
group Is frankly pro German and wants
10 prevent weapons and supplies get
ting to Cermanys enemies. The other
group is almost entirely composed OF
pro-allies. who nevertheless, believe IL
national wrong to sell munitions
They are thus far standing together on
the only thing On which they agree.
should say there are eighty Republic.
ans in the House, including about all
of the Progressive element. who will re-
fuse TO support preparedness program
that does not include Government man.
ufacture OF munitions
Without doubt, the passage of any
thing like the Administrations prepar-
edness program will depend mainly or
the personal influence of the President
: At this point there is an anomalous di'
. Vergencc of views. One hnds quite .
, general feeling among Democrats thal
the President cannot force his will or
Congre IS and hold his party together
! for his program. At the same time
2 there is among Republicans a pretty