The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-03
LODGE ALSO TO
WAGE INQUIRY
INTO DEFENCES
viii Introduce in Senate
Resolution Asking for
Hearings.
PRESIDENT WILL SEE
GARDNER ON MONDAY

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2.-Representative
authorize a special investigation into
the national defence received further
impetus to-day with the announcement
nv Senator Lodge that he will introduce
resolution similar TO that OF Mr..
Gardner and the statement at the
White House that Mr.. Gardner will he
received by the President on Monday
for a discussion of his proposal
Senator Lodge declared he could not
believe that the President was opposed
to such an investigation for there Is
nobody who has so earnestly advocated
publicity as the President in his inter-
esting book about The New Freedom. 4"
The Senator declared the investiga.
ton would not commit the Government
to any policy, but that the people were
fully entitled TO know whether or not
the myriad of public statements re-
gardinc the national appropriateness
for war were accurate and that there
fore the investigation should he made.
Mr.. Gardner said he hoped to be- per-
mtted to take several gentlemen" 10
the White House with him and that he
would urge the President to withdraw
his opposition. TO encourage a yea and
nay vote and to permit army and navy
officers to testify before the Rules Com
mittee Of the House, TO Which the reso-
.Ition has been referred
Opposed by Chairmcu.
The President, while not authorizing an
expression as TO his attitude, has let il
be understood that he believes all the
ca be attained through the regular hear
iugs OF The House committees on FORTH
'.uons. Naval Affairs and Military AZ
ans lie Will confer with Representative
shirley. chairman Of tho first named com
mt,os. on Friday. Mr.. Shirley is openly
opposed TO the resolution. Chairman F:tz-
-rgdld of the Appropriations Committee
,ahcs tho same position.
Senator Lodge said he thought his
resolution ~ inquiry ought to he
adopted by both houses ard approved by
;lo President,
= I'VE hear ii said tina; from our roru-
lar army and militia combined We could
toI ~ lUlS inOln@Nt get together l-b.Ont
men for our defence" he continued 1t
has been publicly stated tha; We have not
sufficient ammunition even ior such
troops we have. that our fortitca-
tons for our great cities are very insult
hcient; that we have few If any guns OF
greater range than those on battleships
that such troops as We have. instead OF
beg concentrated at the points where
they are needed. are scattered through
the country at different posts in positions
where there is no need OF troops II is
said that We have nothing resembling re-
serves either OF men or ammunition, and
no sufficient arrangement made for pro-
Nidiug mines to protect our harhors.
People should know.
y 'or on. would like 20 know. and I
think no American people would like 70
know, whether or not there is truth in
tness statements.
IF We turn 10 the navy We can read In
the newspapers almost every day state
men,s OF similar character. know
myself that We are short of scout cruisers.
having only three a proper number II
fast scout cruisers Is essential to the
efficiency OF the fleet
wv" are insufiiciently supplied with
seropianes and hydroplanes. which are so !
esscntla! 20 modern warfare
We have a large number OF submarines
nut enough IN proportion 10 our fteet-- I
nut Il is stated that many Of those of early /
types are not at all up to recent standards /
and would he practically useless II is (
sad that We have only one torpedo 10 |
'a01 torpedo tube
We ought 20 have the truth about these |
things, and then 1t is for the American |
people and nobody else 20 decide what they /
intend shall be done II Is not a party .
question In any sense aud the national ,
defence ought never to he a party qucs-
zion.
w" arc spending some $3.50. 900. 600 . |
wear ON our army aud navy and we ought ,
IN know what we are getting for our
money and whether for that money We
Hre Ha"ur'ug the highest possible eff
cienry"