Evening star., 1924-08-02
Politicians Giving Undue
Prominence to Mobilization
May Start Fight.
SEEK DEMOCRATIC SPLIT
Republicans Said to Be Looking
for Differences Between
Davis and Bryan.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL,

NEW YORK. August 2-If the poll
tIcians do not look out. they will be
making a tirst-class campaign issue
out of Mobilization day" 1t has
sprung Unexpectedly to the fore and
has gained perhaps an undue promi-
nence because of the fact that the
real issues of the campaign have not
Yet been outlined by the two princi-
pal candidates for the presidency.
The furry over Mobilization or De-
fense day has come at a time when
the politicians were looking for some
thing to talk about. 1t has served
its purpose we'll.
President Coolidge and John w.
each other on the scope and value of
this test" of the country's resources.
Mr.. Coolidge has sharply criticized
those who have denounced the pro-
posed demonstration on September II.
Mr.. Davis has gone on record as say
ing the demonstration is so planned
that it can only be a valueless ges-
ture which may easily be msunder-
stood abroad.
Some of the Democratic leaders are
particularly concerned over the fact
that Mobilization day" happens to
be set for the particular date of the
reconvening Of the League of Nations
at Geneva. That the United States,
which has f1outed the league through
its statesmen at Washington, should
have what may be interpreted as
general mobilization of it's armed
forces and reserves on the very day
that the league renews it's work for
peace is entirely too much for the
league Democrats and they see moth
ing but red when they discuss the
matter.
Date Merely Coincidence.
There is no reason to believe the
coincidence of the dates was planned.
The chances are the war Department
officers who devised Defense day had
no knowledge of the reassembling of
the League of Nations on September
II. Perhaps they were guided in
their action by statements of the Re
publican leaders. that so far as the
United States is considered the
league is dead issue.
AS was to be expected, the La
Toilette people are claiming credit
for being the first to go on record
against mobilization day." They put
it in their platform at Cleveland and
also denounced militarism in all it's
branches 1t was claimed there was
no excuse for war or preparations for
war in this enlightened day. The
Socialists of New York State also
denounced mobilization day" at their
convention.
With the third party" advocates
taking cognizance of the proposed
mobilization of resources and with
President Coolidge coming to the de-
fense of the plan it was inevitable
early issue in the campaign. Whe ther
it will last is another matter. The
chances are that it won't. but it
seems that Democratic governors
have been the ones to raise their
voice against interrupting the peace
full pursuits of their people Tor a
preparedness holiday.
Drive Wedge Between Leaders.
The Democrats charge that the Re-
publicans have been endeavoring to
drive wedge between Mr.. Davis
and Gov. Bryan, his running mate
That is to be one of the strategies
of the Republican campaign, the EN-
differences in the views and opinions
of the two men heading the Demo-
cratic ticket. Therefore, when Gov:
Bryan came out in denunciation of
the full scope Of Mobilization day."
predictions came from Republican
sources that Mr.. Davis would not be
in accord with the Bryan statement.
Upon his return to this city, how
ever. Mr.. Davis soon made it plain
that he agreed with Mr.. Bryan. In
addition to issuing his formal state
ment. Mr.. Davis discussed the mat
ter with friends and pointed out that
both he and Mr.. Bryan believe that
the military organization of the
country should be kept in good con-
dition, but could see no excuse for
urging a demonstration which would
be nothing but a demonstration and
have no educational effect commen-
a Irit 10 ho f,,l
which might be given to the world
Gov. Bryan has co-operated with
the War Department, Mr.. Davis re-
marked, to the extent of calling out
the militia and asking various patri-
otic organizations to hold assemblies.
Although Mr.. Bryan acted in his ca
pacity as governor and not as vice
presidential candidate, Mr. Davis was
not slow to give him the support of
the head of the ticket.
Hold Harmony Conferences.
Gov. Bryan and Mr.. Davis are
talks before the campaign actually
gets under way, and there will be a
thorough thraShing out of views be-
tween them. Friends of the two men
believe they are not far apart. and
they feel that the Nebraskan lends a
balance to the ticket which will be
effective in winning votes.
The Republicans naturally take the
opposite view and Will make Mr.. Bryan
a never-ending object of attack from
now until election day.
Gov. Bryan will not be notified until
after Mr.. Davis has delivered his
speech of acceptance. Nevertheless,
the governors speech of acceptance
will be awaited with more real interest
than ever before has attached to the
sayings of vice. presidential aspirant.
This is partly because the Republicans
are looking for him to say something
upon which they can make drive and
also because in the event Of a dead
lock in the election Mr.. Bryan may
become the next President of the