Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 191?-19??, 1914-12-10
Our Preparedness For War
Now Seems Sure to
be Probed
LEWIS OFFERS RESOLUTION
Introduced i'm Senate is Similar to
Gardner's Resolution and Provides
For National Security COM
mission of Nine Members.

washin ngton Dec. 7.-PrepareuneSS
oP the United States for war seems
destined for investigation in Congress-
Several bills and resolutions bearing
on the subject were introduced touaS
and an inquiry by congressional COM
voittees is regarded at the capital as
car+ain. although President wilson
told Representative Gardner during
the day that he opposed the latter,s s
nlan for an investigation by natlon-
al security commission. Inc ffesf
dent EXPRESSED the opinion that tnls
would be an unwise way or nanolins
ga question which might create very
nnfayorable international impress
sions."
Senator Lodge introduced resolu-
+ion similar to the Gardner measure
uending in the house and asked that
II lie on table until tomorrow. 1t
would provide for national securi.
+v commission to be composed OIL
three members of the senate, three
members of the house and three c1ti-
zens to be appointed by the Presloen''
President Wilson let it be KNOWN
after his conference with Representa-
tive Gardner that he was entirely IN
favor of the fullest inquiry into MILL
tary conditions by regular commlttees
of the house and senate, anu auuou
that there we're no facts in possession
of the executive departments WHICH
were not at the disposal OF tnose
committees. In line with TINS atti-
+ude Senator James Hamilton Lewis
democratic whip, introduced a resolu-
tton which would direct an exhaustive
INQUIRY by the senate military anu
naval committees into the expepo1tuIe
Of millions of dollars appropriated IN
the past for national defense. me
ineuiry would be directed to ascertain
lust what had been provided Dy tne
expenditure of late years and also W
ascertain actual military conditions.
The resolution was referred to the
committee on military affairs.
Another military measure, submit
tod nv Senator Chamberlain, OF ore
gon. proposed the creation of coun-
Gil of national defense to consist OF
the secretary of state, as president
the secretaries Of war and navy, the
chairmen of appropriation, military
naval and foreign relations coInInlI-
fees of the senate and house, the ch1ef
of staff of the army and an otf1cer OF
the navy and heads of the army ana
navy war colleges.
Senator Hitchcock had passed by
the senate without debate resolution
calling upon the secretary OF COLL
merce for information as to the ex-
tent of arms and munitions OF war
from the United States to belligerent
foreign nations or to Canada; existing
contracts in this country for expor-
fation of such materials and the nor
NAL conditions of exports OF sucn
materials in time OF peace. Later
Senator Hitchcock introduced Dill
which would prohibit the sale OF mu-
ntions of war or materials for use III
such munitions during existence OF
war, except upon proof that they were
not to be used against any country
with which the United States was a.
peace. ),
After Representative Gardned's cal
today the following statement was
given out at the White House:
ssThe President told Representative
Gardner that he was opposed to the
method of inquiry proposed by Mr.
Gardner because he thought it was al
unwise way of handling a question
which might create very untavoraDl'
international impressions. He state'
to Mr.. Gardner that he was ent1rel!
in favor of the fullest inquiry by TN
committees of Congress and tner
were no facts in the possession OF Tn
executive departments which was no
at the disposal of those committees.