Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-03
Senator Lodge Is to Introduce
a Resolution for an
Inquiry.
THINKS AMERICAN PEOPLE
WOULDLIKE TO GET FACTS
Believes Conditions in Europe JUS
tify Thorough Knowledge Of
Army and Navy Status.

Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, will
introduce in the Senate a resolution for
an investigation into the national de-
fcnses of the United States, similar to
that offered in the House by Represent
.stive Gardner of MaSsac husetts. &C
cording to a statement just made pub
lie by him.
THE resolution said Senator Lodge,
does not commit US to any expendi-
lures of any kind or to any policy 1t
is merely 4 resolution of inquiry which
I think, should be passed by both
houses of Congress and approved by the
President. The great nations of the
world az. now n war and We are living
in the midst of an armed and fighting
world. Under these circumstances it
is well to know what the state of our
defense is
Whether Senator Lodges resolution
be adopted by the Senate or not. it is
sure 10 bring about debate in the Sen
ate. Under the rules of that body,
senator Lodge will be able to present
il and discuss it, even though it should
be sent TO committee eventually and
allowed TO die there.
We hear it said that from our reg
ular army and militia combined We
could not at this moment get together
10000 men for our defenses, said
Senator Lodge.
To Find Out True Situation.
TT has been publicly stated that we
have no sufficient provision of ammu
milton even for such troops we
have: that our Notifications for our
great cities are very insufficient; that
we have few if any guns of greater
range than those on battleships; that
such troops as we have. instead OF be-
ing concentrated at the points where
they are needed. are scattered through
the country at different posts in posi-
tons where there is no need of troops.
1t is said that we have nothing re-
sembling reserves, either of men or
ments made for providing mines to
protect our harbors- |, for one. should
like to know. and l think the American
people would like to know. whether
there is truth in these statements.
If we turn to the navy we can read
in the newspapers almost every day
statements of similar character. l
know myself that We are short of
scout cruisers. having only three A
proper number of fast scout cruisers
is essential to the efficiency of the
feet We are insufficiently supplied
with aeroplanes and hydroplanes. which
are so essential to modern warfare.
We have q large number of submarines
not enough i'll proportion to our fleet
but it is stated that many of those
of early types are not at all up to re-
cent standards and would be prac-
tically useless. 1t is said that we have
only one torpedo to each tvpedo tube.
] should be glad to know whether this
is true or false
Il have seen it stated. although it
seems TO me hardly credible, that we
have had no feet maneuvers for two
years and no divisional drills for one
wear We certainly ought to know
whether this is true false.
Widespread Belief in Press Stories.
navy has lately been declining in eff
cheney, and on this We ought to be in
formed and the department cleared
from such charges if, as hope and be-
lieve. they are UNJUST. l merely men
tion these few points. which have been
widely circulated through the press, to
show why think We ought to have the
inquiry which will be asked for in my
resolution.
7 cannot believe that the statements
N the press that the administration is
opposed 10 this inquiry can possibly be
Well founded. for there is nobody who
has so earnestly advocated publicity as
the President in his interesting book
about The New Freedom We ought
70 have the truth about these things
and then it is for the american people,
and nobody else. 10 decide what they
intend shall be done. But let the peo-
pie Of the country know the facts 1t
is not a party question in any sense
and the national defense ought never
TO be a party question. We are spend
ing some 30 millions a year on our
army and navy. and we ought to know
what we are getting for our money"