New-York tribune., 1914-12-02
BUSINESS MEN IN
DEFENCE LEAGUE
Form National Union in
Campaign for Security
Against Invasion.

A meeting Of loo business men at the
Hotel Belmont yesterday resolved TO
form national security league to sup
port the campaign started by Repre-
sentative August P. Gardner against
the nations unpreparedness to defend
itself against invasion.
Plans for the league were formulated
by S. Stanwood Menken, of the law firm
of Beekman, Menken e. Grscom. Mr..
Menken, who was voted chairman of
the meeting, urged that the people
were entitled to know the true defen-
sive situation of the reput.ic. lie
said:
1--WE live in an age of keen trade am
bitions. We are told that world pol
icies are dictated by the real or imagi-
nary necessity for markets and trade
opportunities. We know that, however
this indescribable war ends, the world
will not be free from human selfish
ness, lust and unwisdom, and we be-
lieve that our very capacity for sue
cess brings TO us the menace of aggres-
sion.
"To safeguard our entity and thc
doctrines that we stand for we must
agree upon some national policy, care
fully planned so as to be ;ailable IN
time of necessity, either of defence by
arms or through peaceful means.
Must Arm, Not Dsarm.
10 many brave men the safety OF
the republic seems TO lie in disarnla-
ment.' but others-and If we are to Judge
from replies to or inquiries, the ma
ioritv-incline to the view that we
cannot with certainty rely on the ap-
neal TO reason or to any tribunal OIL
nesce and that for the present the
limited States needs strong defensive
navy and the sis il men and equip
m I of larger reserve army, 10 De
under central control, free from po-
,i.;caI inter ~, zee and with broad eX-
ccutive powers"
Charles F.. Lydecker offered the res
oIution asking for the appointment oil
committee of fifty to form the Ma
t;onsl Secruity League, with branchcs
throughout the country, for the pur-
nose of informing the people OF 'ne
condition of the army and navy ard
srousing public opinion to whatever ae-
tion may be found requisite:
Colonel George Haven Putnam, ID
seconding the resolution. hsenea We"
York State to Belgium, saying that
strong opposing force, intent on reach,
ing Canada Through her back door
would find little difficulty IN entering
New York Harbor, proceeding up tng
Hudson and burning PoughKeepsie anu
Albany on its way to the north.
"And the kind of nation 10 "hich l
refer does not stop at i.tle ', 'nn;S an;S
like breach Of neutrality saiu
Colonel Putnam. g
He argued that - it is the opinion OF
tho taxpavers that the harbor should
no Guarded by a new feet OF sub
marines. that opinion ought to be fo@-
mulated and placed before the govern
Sees Country Helpless.
Major John Winthrop Loveland, OF
the 5th Jersey Infantry, declared .la'
there was not on hand sufficient am
munition for the field artillery to hgnt
one battle. nor a large enough supply
of torpedoes TO serve one TUBE; ne
said that the coaling stations had only
half the number of troops necessary 70
I.fo,d .bou until the navy could ar
rive with succor .,..
The major asserted that in two weeks
two nations and in four weeks still an
ether nation could place 150,0OO men
on those shores, while it would require
a month for the United States TO PIT
in action 10000, of which lOO,ooO
would be unframed.
"A great deal f money, SAID MaJor
|, I,oveland. "has been spent by Mr. Car
negie in his peace movement, dong the
conntrv a great deal of harm. Mr.. Cat-
negie and a great many good clergymen
IN their pulpits are placing their ma
t;on in jeopardy. God help TEN. /
Who is il who is controlling this peace /
policy?"
mel G. Creighton Webb in reply.
panresentatiye Gardner, of Massa-'
who introduced into Congress
the resolution calling for the creation |
of national security committee, sent !
a ,eIcgram TO s. S. Menken asking his |
and inviting him to send /,
to the hearing before
the Committee on Rules when the res |
oIution comes up providing Tor com
mission to investigate the adequacy OF |
the army and navy.