The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-16
TAWNEY HITS HARD
AT HOBSONIZING"
Charges Conspiracy Exists
in War-Scare RumDuS.
BIG APPROPRIATIONS SOUGHT
of HOuse Committee De-
cIares Report of Unpreparedness
of National DeFenses Explains
Activity Among Congress Leaders.
Confer with President.

The situation in official circles over
Secretary Of War Diekinson's suppressed
reports on the uBpreparedness OF the na-
tional defenses has become more acri-
monious.
Representative James A. Tawney. Of
Minnesota. chairman of the House APP
preparations Committee, practically eharg-
ed last night that a conspiracy exists
between the War Department and NIL
ltary enthusiasts in Congress 10 create a
nationwide sentiment in favor of big
appropriations for army and navy pur-
poses. Mr. Tawney's statement explains
the activity Of the Congress leaders.
supported by President Taft, in bringing
about the suppression of the so-called
sensational reports.
THE War Department" said Mr.. Taw-
ney. has joined in an effort TO Hob
sonize the entire country
Confer with President.
The Tawney statement was only one
Of several interesting developments that
occurred during the day The White
House announced. after President Taft
had conferred with Secretary Dickinson
and Senator Root, who was formerly at
the head OF the War Department. that
no report whatever would be sent TO the
House in response 10 the McLachlan res
olutfon calling for a statement of the con-
dltion of the national defenses.
Later there were further conferences
at the White House. AMI an announce
nlent that another repOrt-the third in
the series that have been prepared by
Secretary Dickinson-wiil be sent to the
House This announcement was made
by Secretary Dickinson himself. after
nc had had a talk with the President
1t is supposed that Mr. Dickinson OBJ
jected TO the embarrassing sitIBtiOn in
which ne would find himself if he finally
had TO abandon his Intention of sending
in q report, after two unsuccessful
trials
Accordingly, he and Mai. Gen. Wood.
Chief of STAFF, Immediately settled down
TO the drawing of a third statement on
the condition Of the national defenses.
This report viii eliminate the data that
was regarded as confidential In the other
reports. and apparently will be perfectly
harmless. 1t is expected that the third
report will be finished to-day.
"YeIIo1v PeriI'' Talked.
While Mr.. Tawney was talking Hobson
and conspiracy and the White House was
holding conferences. the military enthusi-
asts in the House, notably those from the
Pacific Coast, were airing their opinions
on the copHtrys military forces and the
dolefu prospects of the future. Repre-
sentative McLachleR the author of the
resolution that has stirred up the trou-
bic, was quoting Gen. Adna Chaffee, Ad-
miral Bob Evans, and other authorities
of equal prominence on views which they
had confided 10 him on the dangers from
the yellow peril 1t was the talk Of
these men, according to Mr.. McLaehlen,
that inspired him to introduce his trou-
blesome resolution.
"There is something peculiar about this
matter said Representative Tawney last
night Il do not like to use the word
conspiracy in connection with it, but
there may be interesting developments
when the whole story is told.
ct is a positive disgrace for a man or
a nation to declare that he, or it, is not
capable of competing with any adversary
that may come along. l may feel conf
dent that another mans physical powers
are superior 10 mine, but ! would be re-
garded as a coward if / confessed it
from the housetops
This effort that has been made to get
the report of the Secretary of War be-
fore the American people is simply a
part of propaganda on the part of our
military enthusiasts to secure support
for larger appropriations. Hobson,f for
the last four or five years. has attempted
10 scare the american people by preach
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