New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-19
FORMS LEAGUE TO
Limit ARMAMENTS
But Meeting Refers Back
Resolution Thanking
Wilson for Stand.
GATHERING SMALL,
BUT DISTINGUISHED
Is Addressed by Greer, Butler,
Willard, Peabody, Holt, Miss
Wald and Others.

resolution thanking President Will
son "for refusing TO be stampeded by
the historical craze for additional ar
mament that has affected some OF our
fellow citizens" was referred to COM
mittee after a sharp but short debate
Yesterday at a meeting organized, Dy
Oswald G.. Willard in the Railroad CluD,
which voted TO form the American
League TO Limit Armaments.'
About seventy-tive persons were pres
ent. about half of them women.
1--WE are here" said Bishop David H.
Greer, who called the meeting 10 order,
"to voice our approval of the position
the President has taken regarding our
national armament"
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler, nomi-
mated as chairman, on taking the chair
declared the movement 10 be devoid or
partisan politics.
1--WE must not" said he. "be put in a
position of opposing the fullest in
curry into public affairs. ] for one well
come a proper official inquiry into the
military and naval expenditures made
BY the United States, because | be-
lieve an inquiry would show that we
would, under better conditions, have
received more for our money or got
what we wanted for less"
He wanted TO know against whom 1t
was proposed to prepare for war, point
ing out that the present conflict Will
leave Europe exhausted. No reference
was made to Japan.
George Foster Peabody offered q pre-
smble and resolution outlining the pur-
poses of the league. In substance the
preamble declared preparation for war
led to war The resolution declared
the true policy of the country is not to
increase its land and sea forces.
Miss Lillian ID. Wald, Frederick c.
Howe, Commissioner of immigration;
the Rev. John Haynes Holmes, Austen
G.. Fox and Bishop Greer seconded the
resolution briefly, while Rabbi Edward
b. NJ. Brown raised a cheer by describ-
ing the organizers of the movement to
stimulate interest in the national de-
fences as people who are nobodies,
led by petty lawyer who sent to some
Of his chums to save the nation"
Oswald G. Willard explained that the
league was not intended to replace the
existing peace societies, but to furnish
a militant force that would oppose all
appropriations for military purposes
by Congress.
eve have plenty of money in sight"
he declared, adding that a man of in
ternational fame was considering &C
cepting the leadership of the movement
and "be at work every day"
After the meeting he said Bishop
Greer had this matter in hand, but the
Bishop refused to state who was under
consideration.
Joseph D. Price raised the first dis
cord by proposing an amendment TO
the Peabody resolution declaring it not
to be interpreted as opposing an t.
vestigation of the condition OF the
army and navy.
Hamilton Holt declard this would at
once weaken the movement, and the
amendment was voted down.
The Rev. John Haynes Holmes then
offered this resolution indorsing the
stand of the President:
That this non partisan meeting Of men and wom-
en- Of all political faiths heartily thanks President
Wilson for his refusal 10 be stsmpeded by the hys-
tercal craze for additional srmamen,s that has az
fected some Of our fellow citizens. L. gradually
ton when he declares that the very existence ~
the war abroad affords US opportunities Of friend
ship and disinterested service which should make
US ashamed Of any thought OF hostility or OF fear
While some must disagree with the President and
his belief that a large navy IS Necessary 10 The
welfare safety Of this country this meeting feels
that the President has nevertheless rendered a great
public service asks ever American 10 uphold him
IN his efforts 70 prevent the sacrifice Of the moral
prestige OF the United States, and urges him 20
use his vast powers In the direction Of dissrms 70
ment when the time for him 70 all the
warning nations 70 enter upon the path 10 peace.
William Lyle, who introduced him
self as partisan of President Wilson,
declared he should not be Endorsed at
this time. He moved reference to a
committee.
Miss yald read an article, repre-
senting, she said, the thought of social
workers, proposing that the making Of
ornaments be government function
exclusively, and that an embargo should
be placed on all munitions of war and
raw material adaptable for war pur-
poses.
On the motion to refer the vote was
IS to II, and a motion to reconsider
was lost, 81 to Il.
The Wilson resolution and Miss
Wald's proposal of an embargo on war
materials were referred to a commit
tee, made up of c. c. Birmingham, Miss
Wald, Mrs Ruth S. Baldwin, Oswald
G. Willard, L. II. Wood, Nelson s. Spen-
Ger and Mrs Anna Garland Spenser.
anNIICrn IM ChIIMnl