Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-01
PRESIDENT FEARS
Big ARMY WOULD
HANDICAP PEACE
MIR. Wilson Opposes Imme-
diate Increase in u. S. Mil
itary Forces Because of
Effect on Warning Nations.

WASHINGTON. Dec. L - President
Wilson is opposed to any increase in the
army and navy. because he fears It
would interfere with his plans for bring
inE about peace in the European war
This statement came from person who
is usually in touch with the views Of the
White House.
The President, according to this au-
thority. believes II this country were to
increase its preparedness for war at this
time 1t would set bad example for the
European nations. who might, II they
desired, assert that the peaceful efforts
of this Government were not sincere.
II am very much afraid the President
aims TO lay the cold hand of death on
the movement IL he can"
This statement was made today by
Representative Gardner. OF Massa-
chusetts. following call at the White
House to arrange for an interview with
the President on his resolution to in
vestigate the preparedness Of the United
states for war.
controyersy apparently has developed
at the White House, Tor the Presidents
letter on the subject sent to Representa-
tive Gardner from Wiliamstown, Mass,
November IS, was made public. The
President states he does not have IAN
attitude of indifference" toward the sub
ject and suggests a conference.
SURPRISED AT PRESIDENTS ATTG-
TUDE.
Representative Gardner's statement fol-
lows
II am very much afraid that the Pres-
dent aims TO lay the cold hand Of death
on tho movement If he can. l am a
little surprised Mr.. Wilson believes the
mere fact of our giving the question Of
our armament a thorough airing might
disqualify us as a referee when this war
Is over. 1t seems to me that building
a brace OF supcrdrcadnoushts sounds even
more warlike than an investigation.
'As to tho Presidents suggestion to
Congress against adopting my resolution
of inquiry because / denounced German
militarism as menace TO democracy,
fortunately that can be easily arranged
in the usual way. Chairman Henry can
Introduce his own resolution, and the
commission can be composed exclusively
of men who have not revealed their
preferences as between Germany and tho
Allies"
The Presidents letter read:
MY Dear Mr.. Gardner-I thank YOU
for the letter you sent me. You may be
sure do not have an attitude of indf-
ference toward the subject you mention
but I should like very much to have a
conference with you before the resolu-
ton you have in mind is offered, In order
TO present my Views to you more fully
than 1t is possible TO do in letter"
Assurances that the question will be
out thoroughly in Congress later
were given BY Congressman Swager Sher-
ley, OF Kentucky chairman of the House
Committee on Fortificatlons. He was
summoned to the White House following
Representative Gardners visit.
FOR MILITARY PUR-
POSES.
Appropriations aggregating SlOi. l,Jl2 to
carry the army through the coming year
are proposed In estimates which the War
Department has just completed for sub
mission to Congress. This is an increase
of 300 over the total for the current
year. although reductions are made in the
allowance for many branches of the
service.
A new item Of 100000 is for the pur-
chase of automatic machine rifles. Alto
gether $500, 900 is sought for ammuni-
tion. comp red with 100000 carried In
the current law. For field artillery for
the organized militia S2,09O,0O0 is asked,
s., 100 900 having been appropriated last
lear. For the manufacture, repair and is
suance of arms at the national armcrles
S25O,OOo is asked, against $4,000 last year.