The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-16
Major General Wood Declares
United States Is Insufficient
in Defense.
PRESIDENT TAFT ORDERS
REPORT WITHDRAWN
Deems Ii Unwise to Present
Communication Except in
Confidential Way.

WASHINGTON Dec. b.-Major Cen
ersl Wood was again before the
house military committee today to eH-
plain his Views as to the military nnpre-
paredness OF the country. Hc said IL was
impossible to obtain a large stock Of war
supplies on short notice. lie believed the
time TO act was now and that the gov
ernment should he enabled at once 10
purchase all the supplies necessary so
tina, any emergency might he met
promptly and effectively,
General Wood favored the national
council Of defense plan as outlined In
the administration measure introduced
yesterday by Representative Hobson OF
Alabama. nnd contended for legislation
providing e permanent policy such as
was worked out successfully in govern
mcnts OF Europe. He said the United
States should rot bc behind any other
government In preparing for war
To Withhold Report.
President Taft today directed Secrc-
congress entirely his report on the ma :
tiona. defense nadc in answer To the
resolution passed by the house OF repre-
s%ain,:ves The house Yesterday de-
cllacd 10 receive the report In confidence.
Hsaoe it wll not he sen, at all.
The president took the ground today
that al sne facts as TO the army and the
for.ln-ations along the coasts OF the
base 81: proposed action were considered
I ir the regular annual reports OF the sec
rata-y ~ war. the chief Of STAFF and other
! subordinate officers OF the war depart
mcpv These rcports ALREADY are In the
hands of congress
President Taft agrees with some OF the
congress leaders that these conclusions
and opinions should be held in strict CON
| fidence. AS the house cannot receive re-
ports in confidence the president de-
ci6cd 1t would be best 10 withhold the
original report in its entirety.
He directed Secretary Dickinson Ia
prepare letter 10 The house giving the
reasons for Withholding the special re-
port and inviting attention TO the iegula:
contain all Of the actual Information that
help 10 make UP the reply 10 the Nc
1arhlan resolution.
Would Deprecate War
Presiden, Taft would dAprecate a war
scare or hasty action at this time In any
direction: In his message to congress he
called attention 10 some needs OF the
army and is hopeful that favorable &C
] ton may be taken The president Is
! eager that more officers he provided by
with the state militia and thus keep in
reserve AT all times an effective Aghtlns
force.
President Tai, has urged the passage Of
bill now pending In congress. repeal
/ Ing the old volunteer act and making
provision for the organization OF volun-
| teer forces in time OF war. The bill was
! framed by Senator, Root when secretary
| OF war and was passed by the house
/ but was defeated In the senate by a nli-
buster. led by Senator Bacon OF Georgia
The president saws the passage of the
| bill would not entail n dollars expense
upon the government until war actually
comes. But when war does come tho
| methods Of organizing the. volunteer
! force set out In the bill are in accordance
| with the best modern military judg.
ment. The president has laid great
stress upon the necessity of providing
| additional officers 10 cooperate with the
state militia and In this connection
points out that at best IL requires sis
months TO train an infantr, force, apC
| from year and q half TO two years tr
! train cavalry and field artillery