The Clayton news. (Clayton, N.M.) 19??-1954, 1915-10-16
DEFENSE CALLS FOR 100000. 900
Comprehensive Military and Naval
Program to be Placed Before Con-
greSS by President Wilson.


greSS by President Wilson.
Washington, ID .C.,Oct. i3.-Four
hundred million dollars for national
defense-an increase of approx
mately Si40,0OO,OOO over rast year
constitutes the amount which Pres
ident Wilson and his advisors at
present estimate should be appro-
priated by the next congress for the
army and navy.
AS this -Friday-for compile
tion of the annual estimates draws
near, the president is giving prelim-
mary consideration to the national
defense budget out of which it is
hoped to lay down a stronger naval
program than the United States ever
has authorized and similarly a
arger provision for the military es-
tablishment than has been custom
ary in time of peace.
The president has had before him
for several weeks the outlines of
military policy of a continuing char
acter framed by Secretary Garrison
after more than years study with
officers of the general staff. With
it the president is in hearty accord,
regarding it as a conservative, we'll
balanced program. While the de-
tails have not been revealed, a sub
stantial increase in the regular army
of from $1,000 to at least 10000
men and the creation of a reserve
Of perhaps 100000 men through a
short term enlistment service of cit
iZens interested in the military train
ing, are said TO be parts of the plan.
AS yet the exact appropriation to
be definitely recommended for the
army and navy respectively has not
been definitely fixed. Indications
are that the army's budget of $ii0,
100000 last year will be increased
by at least $6O,OOO,OOO, while Secre-
tary Daniels is figuring on obtaining
a $i00,0O0,000 increase over the navy
appropriation of Sii8,OOO,OOO of last
year.
When the president and the sec
retaries of war and navy confer
next week it is understcIN! an effort
will be made to bring the total sum
within the s4OO,OOO,OOO mark. At
present the combined total which the
two branches of the service will
submit to the president, it is said,
would make about Si50,000000. If
the needs of the two services can
be cut TO SlOO,OOO,OOO the total in
crease over last year would be about
Si40,000,000. The general view in
administration quarters is now that
a bond issue will De proposed as a
means of meeting the adde dex-
pense.
The presidents determination to
Cssage a defense program to cost
about Sl00,00O,000 has been empha-
sized in high official quarters in the
last few days, following Mr. Wilson's
recent speech saying the American
people were convinced that the
United States should be very ade-
quately prepared, not for war, but
for defense.
Much interest has been manifest
ed in the conferences the president
expects having with members of
congress at which it is believed the
procedure for the army and navy
bills will be discussed. Both will
be- made administration measures,
and they probably will be given the
ri ,ht-or-way over all legislation
Chairman Hay, of the house mil
ttry affairs committee, will con-
fer with the president tomorrow
concerning the plan for the army,
and Monday Secretary Garrison is
expected to return to Washington to
begin a sreies of talks with the
president
-O-=--