The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-16
SECRET REPORT NOT
 SENT ID CONGRESS President Advises Dickinson
 to Pigeonhole Matter
WEAKNESS OF THE ARMY
General Leonard Wood Is Urgent in Support of BiH to Prepare United states for the Eventual
 ity of War

Washington, December 15-President Taft today directed Secretary of War Dickinson to withhold from Congress en- tirely his report on the national defense made in answer to a resolution passed by the House of Representatives. The House yesterday declined to receive the report in confidence. hence it will not be sent at all.
 The President took the ground today that all the facts as to the army and the Notifications along the. coasts of the United States upon which Congress could base any action was contained In the an- nual report of the Secretary of War, tie chief of staff and other subordinate of fcers Of the war department. These re- ports already are in the hands of Con gress.
 President Taft agrees with some of the leaders in Congress that these conclu- strict confidence. As the House cannot accept reports in confidence. the Presi- cent decided it best to withhold the orig inal report in it's entirety. He directed Secretary Dickinson to prepare a letter to the House giving the reason for with l holding the special report and inviting attention to the regular annual reports actual information that helped to make up the reply to the McLachlan resolution.
 Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, chief of staff of the Army, was again before the House military committee today to explain his views as to the military unpreparedness of the country. He said. it was impossi- ble to obtain large stock of war sup plies on short notice. He believed the time to act was now, and that the gov ernment should be enabled at once to purchase all the supplies necessary, SC that any emergency might be met promptly and effectively.
 General Wood favored the national council of defense plan, as outlined ir the administration measure introduced | yesterday by Representative Hobson ol Alabama and contended for legislation providing permanent policy such as Is worked out successfully in European gov ernments. He said the United States should not be behind any other govern ment in preparing for war.
 President Taft would deprecate a wal scare or ~hasty action at this time ir any direction. In his message to Con- gress he has called attention to some of the needs of the army and is hopeful that favorable action may be taken. The President is anxious that more officers for the army should be provided by law and that these officers should cooperate with the militia of the various states and thus keep in reserve at all times ar effective fighting force which could be called into the field at moments no | tice.
 President Taft has urged the passage of bill now pending in Congress repeal ing the old volunteer act and making pro | vision for the organization of volunteer forces in time of war. The bill was framed by Senator Root when Secretary of War. and was passed by the House but defeated in the Senate by a threat ened filibuster by Senator Bacon of Geor- gia.
 The President had laid the greatest stress on the necessity of providing addi tional officers to cooperate with the mil itia of the states and in this connection | points out that at best it requires six months to train an infantry force anc from year and half to two years tc train cavalry and field artillery.