Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-23
Preparedness Program Is
Likely to Be Retarded by Ger
man-American Sentiment.
DEBATE OF THE QUESTION
IN HOUSE CLOAKROOM
Members 1mportuned by Constitu-
ents, It Is Said, to Oppose the
Presidents Announced Policy.

The cooks who are baking the pre-
paredness pie in Congress have found
an ingredient which was not in the
original recipe, and Just at present
they have laid it out on the window
ledge to cool. SO to speak Perhaps
they will make a little tart of it. just
to see what will happen when they
stir it into the big dish. This ingredi-
emit is the far-famed German-American
vote. Some of the members OF the
House with largely German districts
are being instructed. begged and brow
beaten in an effort to gain vote
against the Presidents preparedness
program Others with many Germans
letters and the subject is not bothering
them Because of the lack of uniform
ity the matter is puzzling some Of the
wisest heads in the House.
Statement by a Leader.
An inquiry was set afoot in the
House cloakrooms yesterday after
noon, and it resulted in this statement
from a leading democrat Of several
a man with an overwhelming number
of German-Americans in his district:
For some reason or other the Ger
man-Americans in many cities are OPP
posing preparedness. Just why tney
do it is more or less of mystery, but
l lay it to the door of some Of the
largest German newspapers. Ihese
publications oppose the President on
every move he makes, and can ind
in,
ed on to other German papers ana
eventually there arises in many Ger
man-American communities an antlp-
athy to anything the President rec
ommends or does.
Their chief objection, Of course,
started with the arms situation. and l
believe that their principal issue with
the President will be because there
has been no embargo on arms. l nave
talked with Germans all through my
state. and 1 ind that their first objec-
ton is the embargo matter, and on
that they are as firm as granite. al
though they ought to know the Presl-
dent cannot change the law. Ana out
of this arises a criticism OF every-
thing the administration is doing. They
are very much in favor of prepared.
ness in Germany. but against 1t here
There Is a simple view Of the situa-
ton, taking the opinion OF one con-
gresham as an example.
Bryan's Opponents Uncompromising.
On the other hand there are members
of the House who are SO strongly anti
Bryan that they would vote against
any view he takes and who are utterly
ignoring the letters of their German
friends who would have their congress-
man Join the Bryan peace troupe. And,
again, there are men with German dis
tricts, or with large German votes,
who have heard absolutely nothing
from that section Of the people regard
ing preparedness.
The German-American is a formi-
dable factor politically speaking. and 1t
would appear that he can frighten
many congressman. But on that point
listen to this bit of cloakroom talk:
There were all kinds of trouble on
the tolls matter. and many were the
members of the House who swore up
and down that they would get together
and defeat the ship purchase bill: but
when the administration wanted to line
'em up, they all followed like lambs.
This year they will line up the same
way.
Fine Work Of Secretary McAdoo.
Secretary McAdoo and his dinner
parties are getting in some fine work
and he is most accomplished worker.
1t looks to me that no matter how hard
the boys yell about defeating prepared
President will have comfortable ma