The Washington times., 1916-06-09
General Satisfaction Protested
in Administration Over
Planks Adopted.
JAMES PREPARING ATTACK
Chairman of st. Louis Conven-
ton Plans to Base Speech
Largely on Answer.

General satisfaction was professed
tsday in Administration quarters over
the character of the platform adopted
by the Republicans at Chicago. II
was the principal topic of discussion
at the Cabinet meeting. the Presi-
dents advisers characterizing 1t as
"a mass of glittering generalities
signifying nothing"
Senator Ollie James of Kentucky.
who will preside at st. Louis as the
permanent chairman of the Demo-
cratic convention, plans to make his
speech largely an answer to the Re-
publican declaration. He was at the
White House today comforting with
officials and getting material for his
The Democrats expect to be able to
riddle the planks In the Republican
platform dealing with preparedness.
d eclarations for " "continuins pro-
gram" OF naval construction, the
Presidents advisers called attention
to the fact that the only definite pro-
those submitted annually during the
Republican Administrations by the
general board of the navy, and that
proposed last year by Secretary Of
the Navy Daniels.
Recommendations Disregarded.
The contention was made today that
invariably throughout the sixteen
years of Republican control of the
Government. the recommendations of
the general board were disregarded;
and that last winter when Secretary
was up before the House Naval AZ
fairs Committee, the eight Republic
can members OF that committee, com
bining with Ave small navy Demo-
. H..
man Padgett that they would not
stand for any plan that provided for
more than single years program.
Regarding the charge made in the
cratic Administration has accomplished
nothing In the way of increasing the
navy, attention was called to the fact
that inasmuch as II requires at least
three years to build q battleship Il has
never happened that first-class ships au-
thorized during one administration are
completed In that administration. unless
the administration serves two terms.
declared that the United States never
would have been In position to fight the
Spanish fleet In the Spanish American
war had 1t not been for the ships au-
thorized in the Cleveland Administra-
ton.
Concerning the Republican army plank
Il Is observed in Democratic quarters
that far from criticising the Democrats
for failing In the past three years to
enlarge the Sarmy. the Republicans
should explain why during their sixteen
years OF power they not only failed to
increase the army, but actually. In 1902
under Colonel Roosevelt. they reduced
the size OF the army.
Public Will Want to Know.
The generalities in the Republican
platform concerning the foreign policy.
the Presidents advisers declare. are not
calculated to appeal to the voters who.
in listening to the criticisms of the Will
son policy will want to know from the
Republicans what they would have done
three years; whether they would have
recognized Huerta: whether they would
have interviewed In Mexico: whether
they would have gone to war with Ger
many over Belgium; whether they
would have fought Germany on the sub
marine issue rather than seek a peace
full solution of the controversy; whether
they would have declared war on Great
The suffrage plank adopted at Chi
cago. the Democratic leaders observe,
Is based identically on the ground as
sumed by the President in so far as It
recognizes the right Of each State to
settle this question for itself"
The entire platform. the Democratic
politicians charge. illustrates in strik-
Ing fashion that the Republicans as
sefnpleu at chicago nave no Issue save
that of protection. and even there. It is
pointed out. the platform proposes
what President Wilson has already pro-
posed-a traiff commission to study the
question.
Announcement of the Presidents
choice for chairman OF the national
committee Is expected at any time.
Reports from st. Louis. where mem
bers of the committee have begun to
assemble preparatory to the conven-
uon. indicate growing sentiment for
Homer s. Cummings. OF Connecticut,
who was. vice chairman in the 1912
campaign.
Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
Daniels expect to leave for st. Louis
tomorrow evening" Secretary Baker
will go Sunday. Secretary of Agrlcul-
porting back to Washington on the
Republican gathering and will go from
there TO ST. Louis. No other members
OF the Cabinet will attend the Demo-