New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-22
Feels Explaining Prepar-
edness Policy His Most
Important Present Duty.
DOUBTS CONGRESS
REALIZES DEMAND
Tells Representative Glass lie
Will Devote All Energy to
Definite Pleas.

Washington, Jan. 81 i'''"''N
son stated frankly to-day his pei'ei
that members Of Congress have not ap-
prccia.ed the genuine demand OF the
peoplo for an adequate national de-
fence. In a letter TO Representative
Carter Glass, Of Virginia, declining an
invitation to visit there in the near
future. the President declared that he
felt II his duty to explain 20 the coun-
try tho necessity Of preparedness ana
the ignorance Of Congress "a to tho
courtry's vi 'hes.
All through the letter which declines
ar invitation tentatively accepted Few
DAYS ago. runs realization by the
President that ne has q big tasK ahead
20 build uficicnt backhros under legls-
stors 10 force through his prepared
mes. programme. There rs strong
roto of confidence, however, in mis- adj
it's 10 do SO.
The wording OF the letter seems al
most a direct challenge TO RECEIPT com.
ments of william J. Bryan 10 some OF
his friends. notably Representative ".
". Bailey, Of Pennsylvania Mr.. Bryan
called the attention of Mr.. Bailey TO
the expression 81 the President that
he believed" the people were com
mitted 10 preparedness. In stating
that he was not Opposing" the Pres
ident Mr. Bryan said that he merely
wanted to convince the President that
the people we're not solidly for pre-
paredncss.
I'm his letter 70 Mr.. Glass. the Pres
idont. after stating that Congress does
not. i'm his opinion, realize the genuine
demand Of the country for adequate
preparedness. speaks Of summonlng
the support Of the country. which viii
require all his energy without turning
aside.
VIII Explain to Country.
at goes mighty hard" the President
writes. "to say that ] cannot respond
afirmatiyely to the very attractive IN
vitation which you participated IN eN-
tending 20 me 20 visit Lynchburg, but
/ want frankly TO tell you just why
10 seems % me impossible. / DO not
think that the Congress quite realizes
the genuine demand Of the country Tor
an adequate plan Of preparation TOR
national defence. | feel that II IS my
duty 10 explain this matter 20 the coun-
o.. and summon its support ana that /
ought 10 devote my whole energy win
out turning aside 10 the business OF
this session ID which ! want to be OF
assistance IN every possible ana legl-
innate way.
In such circumstances, II seems
clearly impossible for me TO prepare
ANYTHING hat I would be willing 70
utter on such an occasion as that which
D.. being planned for IN Lynchburg. VIII
you not be generous enough 70 explain
this 10 the gentlemen who were so
kind and courteous TO see me the other
day with you and urge this invitation
upon me.
President and Mrs. Wilson left
Washington tonight on the yacnt
MayfoWer for two-day cruise down
the Potomac River and Chesapeake
Bay. the President having decided to
seek seciusion for the preparation OF
the address be will deliver on January
- in New York and 20 outline the
speeches he viii make in the Middle
West Tie plans TO return Monday
morning.
Changes Itinerary.
After Cabinet consultation. Presi-
dent Wilson to-day reconsidered he
itinerary OF his preparedness tour. Sew
crul Cabinet members made strong rep
resentations i'm favor of Middle West
orn cities which had been omitted from
the original list. The Presidents
plans. for few hours, became, indeed,
somewhat confused, and were only
finally Strengthened out by using u
timetable as arbiter.
With only five working days in which
20 visit eight cities. it was found i'm
possible 20 make extensive alterations
I'm the schedule The substitution Of
Wichita. Kan. for s.. Joseph, No, was
said tonight 70 be the only change
decided on.
The President felt that. in visiting
two cities in Missouri-St. Louis and
Kansas City enough attention had
been shown TO that state. and he was
persuaded that II would be a mistake
10 omit entirely Kansas. which j. only
step across the line. The President's
schedule 10 date. Is Pittsburgh. Cleve-
land. Chicago. st. Louis. Kansas City,
Wichita. Des Moines and Davenport.
Plans for the second trip. which will
carry him 20 the Rocky Mountains. al
ready are being considered. The Whit
House is convinced that the results Of
The first tour Will be so favorable that
the advisabilty OF further campaign
Will be undisDuted.
A third trip will include the South
cat