The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-15
Puts Ear to "Grass Roots" With
5000 Inquiries by Mail.
OF $500 Replies, So Per Cent
Are Pro-Preparedness.
FAVOR MILITARY TRAINING
Nearly All in Favor of Military
Instruction for Youths.
About 10 Per Cent Against Any
Defense Measure at All.

Washington. May 15.-word from
the grass roots" back in Kansas dur
ing the last week has astounded the
delegation in congress from that state
on the sentiment back home" on the
big issue of national preparedness.
With Kansas held up constantly by
the "peace-at-any-price propagan-
dists as an example of a state stub
bornly and solidly opposed to any
form of defense legislation, and with
its members of congress voting solidly
for the small army plan of Chairman
Hay, Representative Anthony of the
First Kansas district recently sent out
five thousand letters through the state
to ascertain just how the people felt
on the pending legislation.
At Least, Army of 1850
The replies from those five thousand
letters are still coming in. But a tab
ulation of more than $500 replies al
ready has set the Kansas delegation to
thinking and wondering if they haven't
sadly misjudged the true feeling and
temper of the people of Kansas
Briefly, what the $500 answers
showed is this:
More than IS per cent of the replies
expressed a desire for an army of at
least $4,000 men.
More than SIS per cent said they
favored some form of universal train
ing SO that the young men between
the ages of Is and 81 would have at
least six months training with the
colors. They are against straightout
compulsory service as existed in Ger
many, but are outspoken for a n1odi-
fled form of universal training.
Want Action on Mexico.
While no question was asked about
the Mexican situation, and it was not
alluded to, the Impotence of the peo-
pie of the middle west at the uncer-
tain Mexican policy of the admins
cent of those answering the letters
who wrote across them or added at
the bottom:
1--WE think the United States ought
to be doing something about Mexico y
Many were even more outspoken in
their expression that the present pol
icy wasn't getting results and that II
was time the United States did some
thing and exhibited more firmness.
About 10 per cent of the answers
were against any preparedness pro-
gram at all.
And-PreparednesS Propaganda.
| When congress met, as a result OF
an organized propaganda, the mem
DerS from Kansas were deluged with
letters opposing the preparedness pro-
gram. Some of the members were
nearly scared out of their boots" al
! the thought of voting for even the
moderate programs for the army and
navy proposed.
! That was several months ago. After
seeing some of the hundreds of re-
plies Representative Anthony is re-
ceiving and realizing the character OF
men they are from and how truly the
letters are rejecting the real senti-
ment of Kansas, the delegation here
or some of the members at least, are
looking upon the preparedness bills il
different light.
Representative Anthony, himself
has opposed the small army of 14I
/ 600 men. He has also opposed the
army of 100000 men. But in stand
ing for the IT'S, 900 men finally agreed
upon in conference, he has been ava,
ahead of some of the other member!
of the delegation and has been criti
ciZed for his course