The Washington herald., 1913-02-03
DEFENSELEAGUE
ORGANIZED HERE
ORGANIZATION to Work for
Larger Army, Navy, and
National Guard.
KAHN is CHAIRMAN
Aim of the Society Is to Prepare for
War in Times Of
Peace.

To work for a larger navy, an adequate
army. the Improvement Of the National
Guard, and for all things that will bet
ter prepare the United States for war.
the National Defense League was or
ganized here to-day in the House Office
Building.
Representative julius Kahn OF Califor-
mia was elected chairman OF the eXecu-
tive committee and the board OF direc-
tors The board OF directors includes
prominent persons throughout the coun-
try.
While the National Defense League will
work TO strengthen all forces which
would make the country better prepared
for war. II states in its constitution:
This league abhors war and believes
in universal peace, but 1t firmly believes
that preparation for war is the best guar
antee OF peace" Work for peace, but
be prepared for war. is the motto Of the
league.
The executive committee. which Will
manage the affairs OF the league. includes
Representative Julius Kahn OF Califor-
mia, chairman: Representative Robert F.
Broussard OF louisiana vice chairman n
Representative Ernest W. Roberts of
Massachusetts,. Hon. James II. Blount,
of the District OF Columbia, general
counsel: Winfield Jones, Washington, d.
c., secretary.
The board Of directors comprises Gen.
Charles w. Harris, Phoenix, Ariz.; Rep
resentative Joseph r. Knowland. Ala
media, Cal: Representative Julius Kahn.
San Francisco. Cal; George II. Carr. Dcs
Moines. Iowa; Representative Robert +.
Broussard. New Iberia, La: Gen. Harvey
c. Clark. Nevada. Mo; James T. Stan
ford, Great Falls. Mont: Mai. ID. J. Dom
ohue. Glendivc, Mont: Representative
Ernest ". Roberts. Chelsea, Mass: Col
Charles ]. DE Bevoise. Brooklyn. n. Y;
Maurice Simmons New York City; Gen.
c. II. Englesby. Watertown. s. d: Mai.
o. G Guessaz San Antonio, Tex: Hon.
James n. Blount. Washington. d. C;
Winfield Jones. Washington. n. e.
Governors Of all States. Territories. and
foreign possessions OF the United States
have been asked to appoint two members
each on the board Of directors. Many
have done SO. and others are now MAX
Ing their selections. Besides the two
members appointed by tho Governors.
there will be on the board members from
the Senate. tho House. the State. War.
and Navy departments, and Representa-
tivcs Of the National Guard Association.
the Grand Army OF the Republic. and
the United Spanish War Veterans
The league has opened oniCeS in the
District National Bank Building. and has
started a propaganda throughout the
country. II will publish monthly bull
letin for the trse OF It's members and the
press.
Kahn Makes Statement.
Chairman Kahn yesterday gave out the
following statement:
The members of the National Defense
League would welcome the day when all
nations would enter into an agreement
to dismantle their warshipS and disarm
their armies. But the millennium has
not Vet come. So long as other great
nations continue to build dreadnouEhts
so long as they advance I'm military Sci
ence and increase the efficiency Of their
armies. SO long must the United States
maintain an army and a navy commen-
surate with our standing as one Of the
worlds great powers.
while We do not believe in an un-
necessarily large standing army. we
believe in an efficient military force.
Our past experience in warfare has not
rcdourded TO the credit Of our Coun-
try We have invariably lost large
numbers Of men at the very beginnin &
of hOstilitics on account OF our urprc-
paredness.
Conditions have materially changed
years The building OF the Panama
Canal and the acquisition Of Hawaii
have added considerably to our bur
dens. Roth were necessary 20 our well
fare. The Hawaiian Islands are the