The Washington herald., 1914-12-16
MANY Will URGE
BIGARMED FORCE
Next Congress Will Have
Numerous Advocates of
Greater Preparedness.
TLSON WANTS RESERVE
Representative-elect of Connecticut
Will Use Efforts to Have Garrison's
Views Enacted Into Law.

While the question Of national defens,
was not an issue in the last Congress
ional election, some OF the most promi
nent advocates Of an adequate land forci
will hold seats In the next Congress
Many of them are already on recorC
as favoring the policy advocated by thu
Secretary of War.
The only election in which the qles
ton of national defense became one oi
the issues was in Oregon, where an at
tack was made upon Senator Chamber.
lain on account of his position as chair
man of the Senate Committee on Mill.
tary Affairs. Senator Chamberlain, as
he stated in his recent interview, ad-
vocated the adoption OF a policy along
the lines set forth in the annual report
OF the Secretary OF War. For this he
was attacked as being a militarist. That
! he was vindicated was shown in the
returns Of the Oregon elections, the SEN
ator being about the only Democrat who
was elected.
Question n Lasting One.
The question of national defense has
come to stay before the people. II II is
not solved in this Congress 1t will be "
in the next; and il the next Congress
does not enact a progressive military
policy in all probability It will be a
paramount issue in the Presidential
election. Expressions from people in
every part OF the country show that a
demand will be made for a policy which
will give the nation something that ap-
proximates an adequate land, as well as
naval, force.
Representative-elecI John Q. Tilson Of
Connecticut. who, when formerly a men,
Der OF Congress, was one of the closest
students Of military problems, expressed
qualification at the disposition OF Con-
gress to take up the question Of national
defense. Representative TilsOn is colonel
OF the Second Regiment, Connecticut Ma
tiOnal Guard, and while in Congress was
sent by the Committee on Military Az
fairs to the 1exas border to study con-
ditiOns in the regular army.
TIIsOn Favors Reserve.
1T is most gratifying to me-" says Col
Tilson. Ito see that what tried to ac-
Complish away back in the Sixty-second
Congress, and upon which 1 could scarce
ly get a hearing at that time, now is
being taken up by the administration, ad-
vOcated by the Secretary OF War, and
talked about in Congress to the eXclu-
sion OF other matters. Along with
somewhat larger regular army. but still
very small as compared TO other coun-
tries, have advocated the establishment
of reserve sufficient to fill up at once
on lhe outbreak OF war, TO war loot
ing. all the organizations of the army.
I'm q speech in the House l showed
how this could be done at an expense
OF less than S,OOO.OOO a year, including
pay of reseTvists and ten days field
training each year. l advocated short
enlistments, giving sufficient service with
the colors for training, and the remain
der of the time in the reserve. Gen.
Wood, who then was chief of stan.
favored it. I have scores Of letters from
military men favoring IL. l hope the peo-
pie will become aroused and demand that
something be done. I look forward with
pleasure to my return to the House |
where l hope to take up the same line |
of work, and expect to see it more sue |
cessful. now that the attention OF the |
country has been called to the real sit |
lation. While have not always agreed |
with Mr.. Gardner on all points. l should |
be glad TO support his resolution. and |
shall hope TO see something come of it" !