New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-10
Opposition Based on Too
Many Causes TO Allow
Getting Together.
MILITIA QUESTION
MOST TROUBLESOME
Pacifists, Led by Bryan, Next
Most Serious Obstacle TO
Preparedness.

Washington. Jan. 9-The first week
Of the hearings on the army and navy
defence programmes has served chiefly
TO bring out the various forms of op-
position which will have to be over
come before success for either is in
sight The opposition is scattered. and
bases is attacks on a var ETY. Of causes,
and while there is a movement to unite
these to defeat the whole plan. no ar.
rangement has yet been made that
promises success TO the enemies Of pre-
paredness. The fight. in any case, VIII
be hard, it is already certain.
The army hearings have brought the
opposition into far clearer outline than
with the navy, where subordinate Off.
GERS have been on the stand and the
discuss on has been largely technical
Secretary Garrison's appearance AZ the
opening Of the army hearings brought
up the questions involved as a whole.
and while several committee members
are still merely seeking information
the main lines Of attack have been
made clear
The one question which is causing
the friends Of preparedness on the
committee the most trouble IS than Of
providing for the militia under the
Continental army plan. An honest and
vigorous effort b. icing made 20 work
out the solution, but grave fears are
felt that il will not be satisfactory to
some at least of the militia officers,
end their influence In Congress is ac-
knowledged 70 be considerable.
Bryan Followers Active.
The next most serious form of open
opposition will come from the pacit Is,
Who are working under the leadership
Of Bryan and are drawing support from
the inertia of the Middle West. where
his campaign rs being most vigorously
developed. Several means have been
used 20 influence the people there, M
Guiding lectures. articles In the
canned" pages Of country week. e,
personal corrcsp ondence and extensive
-rcu'ar'zing Bryan has had much
EelD from the Socialists and sevlral Of
Both real and hyphenated pacidst or
Plantations, and the result has been
food OF messages and letters 20 mem
bers Of Congress which will show far
more effect when the measure comes to
the foor than in the comm ttee
Underground opposition is, however
Of more serious character than the
open. IL takes the form Of both economy
and pork hunger. Many legislators are
either honestly opposed TO the spending
Of such large sums as are needed for
the defence plans or fear 20 face am
election after having voted for the
taxes. which, under the Democratic
tariff system, will be necessary TO sup
ply the money.
Far more numerous are those VINO
see "a chance 10 do little log rolling by
working for some system which VIII
provide opportunities lacking In both
the Garrison and the Army War College
plans. They have hitched their demand
for government munitions factories 20
the economy kite, and they are also de-
handing government armories Tor the
continental army troops, militia pay
bills and aforementioned manUuvre
grounds.
Friends Of defence have about agreed
that some form of continental army
win be supported. The proportion be
tween it and the regular army Is still
being debated. some fayoring the Car