The Washington herald., 1916-06-04
TO URGE PREPAREDNESS
Universal Military Training
Will Be Advocated, Leav-
ing Details to Congress.
SUFFRAGE PLANK is LIKELY
Administration to Be Scored for Hand
ling Of Tarif-Big Merchant
Marine Will Be Favored.
CBy the sun News se-vicel

Chicago. June S--A bitter attack on the
foreign policy OF the Wilson administra-
ton, notably in its dealings with Mexico.
and plank indorsing the proposition OF
universal military training, will be the
outstanding characteristics of the plat
form that will be adopted in the Repub-
lican national convention next week.
Indications are that the code of prin-
ciples to be presented to the voters this
year by the Republican party will be as
progressive in tone. spirit and purpose as
Col. Roosevelt and his Progressive fol-
lowing would have it.
The platform will be written in the first
setts, assisted by Senator Borah. Of Iowa.
Each is fairly representative of the two
factions of the party. Mr. Lodge is a
conservative. who is willing to make con-
cessions to the Progressives. As a Pro-
gressive, Mr. Borah has always exhibited
a disposition to meet the conservatives
half way
Prepsredness Plank.
universal military training. of course. will
be embodied in the plank on prepared
ness. This plank will be just as definite
as II is possible TO make a declaration
Of that kind in a political platform. II
will propose an adequate navy, a larger
standing army, the creation of reserves
for both services and military training z, {"
as distinguished from military service .
Leaders are careful to point out that
the convention will not indorse enforced
military service" Therefore, the plank
will propose military training" the
method to be left to the discretion of
Congress.
The plank treating of the Wilson for
eign' policy probably will be the most
vigorous in tone Of any declaration in
the platform. 1t will charge that in his
dealings with European beIligerents the
President has shown the same timidity
and lack of purpose that he is held to
have exhibited in his relations with the
various factions in Mexico and the pres
ent government in that country. Re
publican leaders are convinced that the
country disapproves Mr.. Wilson's main
policy and this will be handled without
gloves. II will be denounced as having
placed the United States in humiliatiuE
position before the world, and as weak
ening the representations made by this
government in its negotiations with Ger.
many and other European beIligerents.
A tart reference will be made to Mr.
Wilson's too proud to fight" phrase.
May Back Woman Suffrage.
There is a strong possibility that the
Republican platform may carry a plank
favorable to equal suffrage. Senator
Borah comes from Idaha. where women
have voted for years. and he is an earn
est advocate of the principle
In the tariff plank reference will be
made to the action of the Democratic
organization OF the House Of Represent
atives in going on record Tor a nonparti-
san tariff commission and protective du-
ties on dyes. The argument will be made
that the Democrats are now trying to
steal the protection" thunder and that
If the country would cope with the trade
competition from Europe that is bound
TO follow with the close Of hostTitIes,
il must entrust the Republicans with the
duty Of revising the revenue laws along
traditional Republican lines
A strong declaration will be made for
an American merchant marine large
enough to handle American commerce
and to provide an adequate reserve for
the navy in case Of war. The govern
ment ownership shipping bill now pend.
ing in Congress with the Endorsement of
the administration, will be denounced in
unsparing. terms