The Washington herald., 1912-04-06
ARMY OFFICIALS
ORGANIZE LEAGUE
Plan to Create Interest in
Strengthening of the
Service.
FORCE BELOW STANDARD

Realizing the value OF publicity and
general educational work in creating q
strong interest IN the army. so as 70
build that arm of the fighting service up
to the standard desired by the military
authorities. officials OF the War Depart
ment have Joined with civilian friends OF
the service In the organization OF an
Army League. Gen. Wood. Chief of
Stan; Gen. Oliver, Assistant Secretary
OF War, and Frederic L. Huidekoper. a
well-known military enthusiast and ex-
pert. are at the head OF the movement.
Steps were ,taksn toward the organ1-
zation OF the league at a conference held
at the residence OF Mr.. Huldekoper, 1914
Eighteenth street northwest. last night.
The Mexican war scare and the cav
airy drills conducted at Fort Myer for
the special benefit OF Congressman have
had their influence, with the result that
the Hay bill, which was bitterly opposed
by the army, has been so badly emascu-
lated since reaching the Senate that II
is scarcely recognizable. The Senate has
cut out nearly all the Questionable fea-
lures Of the measure as pushed through
the House by Representative Hay, OF
Virginia, chairman OF the Military Com
mittee. which were declared by Secretary
Stimson. Gen. Wood. and President Taft
as ruinous to the military service. Most
important OF these was the reduction of
the cavalry from fifteen TO ten regiments.
Texas Representatives soon realized the
value OF the cavalry in patrolling the bor-
der during the Mexican revolution. and
many others were favorabIy impressed
with the drills which have been given
at Fort Myer.
would Protect Canal.
The army apparently Is making no at
tempt to follow the steps OF the navy in
efforts 10 take advantage Of the japanese
Bay scare, as produced this
week by Senator Lodge. acting chairman
OF the Foreign Relations Committee of
the Senate. The army stands ready. how
ever. TO point out the need OF a bigger
fighting force to repel invasion and to
properly safeguard the greatly increased
American interests that will result from
the opening OF the Panama Canal.
The keynote OF the leagues organiZa-
tion was sounded in an address made at
the meeting last night by Mr.. Huide-
koper. THE protection OF the Panama
Canal" said ne. obviously will involve
the assumption of additional burdens and
additional responsibilities upon the Amer
lean government. and its security must
devolve upon our land forces.
The United States army and the organ
lied militia are. unfortunately. at pres
ent far below the standard which the
new circumstances VIII render necessary.
But the time has come to enlist the in
terest of the American people in their be-
half and to initite a movement to bring
them both up TO the desired standard"
Mr.. Huidekoper stated that the organ
zation of an Army League, with the
purpose of accomplishing. IL possible. for
cur land forces the same admirable re-
suits already achieved for our naval
forces through tho instrumentality OF
he Navy League. is the purpose In
mind"
Other speakers took a similar view OF
he needs of a general policy OF national
iefense and argued that the land forces
of the country have been too long neg
ected. Gen. oliver presided over the
Meeting and Mr.. Huidekoper was desig-
rated secretary. A committee on tenn
oorary organization was appointed, con-
listing OF Gen. Oliver, Lieut.. Gen. J. c.
Bates, retired. former chief-of-staff: for
ner Senator Charles Dick. Of Ohio; Mr..
and E. B. Johns.