The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-17

The administration clamped down the
lid yesterday on the war scare talk that
has been started by the suppression of
Secretary Diekinson's two reports on the
unpreparedness Of the national defenses-
Thursday Secretary Dickinson made the
announcement that he would prepare a
third report on the condition OF the coun-
try's defenses and forward it to Con-
gress. But yesterday he declined to say
whether the report would be sent in or
not in reply to the resolution introduced
by Representative McIachlan. Of Cali
fornla. calling for information.
At the White House, also, no inforna-
ton could be obtained as TO the purpose
Of the War Department The subject
was considered at the Cabinet meeting;
and there is strong likelihood now that
Secretary Dickinson's reply to the Me-
I.achIan resolution viii be very formal
and<tsiH set forth that the information
that ne called for is contained in other
reports that have already been made
public
Members of the California delegation
I'm Congress announced yesterday morn
ing that there would be a Dowwow at
the New Willard Hotel in the evening,
at which ali of the members of the dele
CATION would air their opinions on the
yellow peril and kindred subjects. The
delegation met and talked over the
chances of San Francisco getting the
Panama exposition. There was nary
word about the unpreparedness of ma
tional defenses- Apparently, some MEM
I EaA
that il would be wise 10 shut the throt-
tie.
Specialists Have Their Say.
OF course. the real war scare special
/ lists IN the House. men like McLachlan
and Hobson, had their say. They srere
/ incensed at Representative Tawney's
statement charging a conspiracy be-
/ tween the War Department and military
enthusiasts in the House to compel Con-
! gress to open its purse strings for I'M
usual military expenditures.
/ Representative McIachlan declares
! Tawney admits that the United States.
] so far as its national defenses are con-
cerned. is Ike "a fatted eapon.' but
would nevertheless have us pose as a
! gameeock.''
'In other Words says the California
Representative. he would have US trust
the national security 10 'blur We have
'blufted' since the beginning Of our ma
tionai existence and at regular intervals
we have been called by war. Duh APP
palling pension rolls. the great heart
sears carried by thousands of our people
bear witness 10 the fact that there have
| been Tawneys in the councils Of our na-
| ton before.
What does Mr.. Tawney know about the
needs of the arrny2 His honor is not al
stake nor his life. Our soldiers lives
and honor are both at issue. / will plead
until I know that in case OF war our sol
diers wall be placed in the field equipped
and organized along military lines Il
this is 'cOwardice.' count ME a coward >
When Representative Tawney read Mr.
McL.achlan's statement, he said. referring
to the resolution which McLachlan hat
introduced, calling upon the Secretary o
War Tor information:
Not n War Measure.
The MeLachlan resolution was not In
tended as a war measure. II was nOthinl
more or less than a political measure
II / am correctly informed. 1t receives
a hearing largely on representations tina
it would be a good thing for Mr.. Nc
Lachlan politically.
''Mr. Tawney,' said Representative Hob
! son, refers TO an alleged conspiracy o
plot to secure an increased appropriation
during the present session, whereas thi
whole effort is clearly one to prevent tn
American people from knowing facts. II
has fought every movement for develop
! ing national defense since / have bee
In Congress, and he is preparing nov
to fight the administration recommended
ton TO fortify the Panama Canal. IL
! fought RoOsevelts recommendation 70
, $50 0O0,O 600 to fortify the Pacific Coast afte
2 the Pacific incident.
2 Mr. Tawney is the person most respon
sible for the present utter lack Of pre-
: paredness. It Is natural that he shout