Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-29
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Mann UPH0LDS
The PRESIDENT
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Republican Leader in House
Champions Wilson When
Attacked
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THE HOUR OF DANGER
THE HOUR OF DANGER
Alleges Policy of Preparedness is One
Called For by Changed Conditions
in the World.
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Fssw sss{as
Washington, Jan. 29.-Republical
Leader Mann came to the defense O.
President Wilson in the House yester
day when Representatives Dies, OF
Texas. leader of the anti-prepared
ness Democrats, attacked the Presl'
dents New York speech on natlona
defense. Mann rebuked Dies, for max
ing any remarks about the President
views before the latter had completed
his speaking tour, and declared that
his only defense for changing his posi-
ton on preparedness was that ne be-
lieved he was right"
"With the possibility of danger
which prevails" Mann declared I'VE
viii meet the situation, we will rise to
our responsibilities and put this ma
tior in position where it can protect
itself against any~ioreign foe"
Tempestuous applause broke from
all sides of the chamber.
Dies, who probably will lead the
anti-defense Democratic forces in the
House. declared retired army and
naval men were largely responsible
for the preparedness agitation.
Every old liar on the retired list
he shouted, "is in active service now.
agmen!" returned Representative
s"C,tlone" favis CT Texas.
In pictureque, rambling speech
Representative Dies, had attacked
everything connected with prepared
ness. He declared that there had been
no change in conditions which should
induce this country to change tbs
military policy it has always followed.
He criticized both President Wilson
and Republican Leader Mann, for op-
posing preparedness year ago and
supporting it now.
"I realize he said, "that there IS
such thing as being too candid
brutally candid. But it does seem to
me that in this moving-picture crisis
of our country, this hysterical fit into
which the public seems to have fallen.
il is time that the matter received
candid treatment at the hands OF the
representatives of cr- people.
IF war should ever come, we are all
ready to make the sacrifice, but we
do not want to talk ourselves into
war If there is anything in the world
that will produce war in this country
it is the Incorporate idiotic talk GO
ing forth from public men in the
public press"
Leader Mann. in his defense of the
President among other thing said:
4
"Mr.| Chairman, we have great
duty to perform. We.must determine
bccauss we ;are in the: e:position where
determination must be made, either
that we will do nothing, upon the
chance that Providence will protect
us. or that there is no danger, or we
must determine that there is a pos
sibility of danger, and, if so, then
prepare to protect ourselves and our
country against it.
"And while the President of the
United States, who ought to kno"
more about the actual situation than
any member Of this House, is gong
around the country to state the case
on his side, it were more becoming
for the members of his party in this
House to at least await his statement
before abusing him as talking "idio'
tically.' as the gentleman from Tex
as said this morning.
''If the crisis exists. we must rise
to the occasion. If there be no crisis.
and We so decide, there is no reason
why we should do anything. I an
not afraid. The American people are
not afraid. They know no fear, but
as reasonable being,, II they are wise
they view the situation as it is, an5
so viewing it as it seems to me with
the possibilities of danger which
lurk in. the future, we will meet tn,
situation, rise to our responsibilitie!
aud put this nation, in Il positio,
where it may protect itself agaius
any foreign foe"