The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-13
BETTER DEFENSE
PROJECT grows
Polls Show Majority in Con-
gress Favors Stronger
Army and Navy.
u. S. SHOULD BE READY
Building Up of National Guard Urged
by Many Legislative
Leaders.
u. S. SHOULD BE READY

Special to The Warrington helal-
New York, June IA sentiment for a
better army and navy seems to be sweep
ing over the country. Those Senators ana
Representatives who do not want larger
standing army nevertheless desire that
tho Tinted States should add greatly to
its naval defense.
MANY men prominent in Congress have
answered a poll being taken by the New
York American on this issue, and prac-
tically everyone voices a belief that this
country should be better prepared for
eventualities.
MANY of the men who have answered
do not want such a great standing army
as they do a larger and more proficient
National Guard. This is because they
have in mind their own States and dis
tricts and reflect their sentiments in con-
tradiction to the broader idea of a resu-
lar army.
cut of thirty-two replies received only
one-that of Representative Rufus Hardy.
who lives in Corsicana, Tex.-speaks
against the plan. He says: Vast eX-
penditures by the United States. in time
of peace preparing for war, is simply a
crime"
Favors Larger Army.
Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota.
ing army and an adequate navy, and by
an adequate navy I mean navy that
would be next in rank to Great Britain
in armament. equipment and supplies.
Representative Frank Clark. of Florida,
favors a standing army of 5000 men
and navy one and one-half times the
size of the present one, to be divided be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
Furthermore. Mr.. Clark would equip all
the most modern
defenses. saying this equipment would
protect US against the world-anythinG
short of it is folly
II. l.. Goodwin. Representative from
North Carolina writes that he is in favor
of A much stronger service. which must
be brought about by increasing the stand
ing army and navy. From the same
State, Representative George NJ. Young
writes: IF the United States is TO grow
as she ought in influence and power. it is
necessary that the naval force be
strengthened" He doesn't want larger
army. but more trained officers for an
army.
Senator Robert L. Owen thinks the
United States should train men in the art
of war and strategy and keep them in
Europe watching the specialists on arma-
ment. He doesn't think il would be wise
To increase either arm of the service at
factor of war is in munitions of war. and
I should favor the United States manu-
featuring the machinery to turn out mu
ntions on large scale. but not turn
them out until war was actually in |
sight" He says our first duty is to |
maintain peace. and that we would real |
ly exa1t military forces within our own |
republic if We formed a larger army and
navy
Carroll s Page. Senator from Vermont !
favors a large increase in appropriations !
for the navy.
Senator Clapp. of Minnesota, believes |
stronger National Guard is all this |
country needs, and the appropria tions
should he made for this guard. Our navy |,
5 sufficiently large. he thinks. but should |
his country have to arm upon a broader /,
basis, there will he abundant time.
Peace Depends on Preparedness. !
Representative Howard Sutherland. of !
Pennsylvania. SAYS: ut would seem de- |
sirable. and. perhaps. necessary. that ,
the military and naval forces of the |
I'n;ted States be strengthened. He 1
would inrreaSe both our standing army
and State militia. and asserts that the |
only way in which we can have peace |
Is to be bile to give battle if crisis
arises. His letter say VS. that by keeping
prepared we will he better able to main
tam peace with honor and dignity.
Albert Estopiral. Representative from
] .ouisiana. would have the United States
build navy commensurate with that
of any other nation. His reply reads:
The United States should have a large
navy and should very much increase her
a rmy, and I am in favor of legislation
looking to that end. | understand by
adequate navy one strong as that Of
any other nation.
John W. Lesher. of Pennsylvania. NJ.
T. Burke. of Wisconsin. and H. +. Hell
resen. of North Dakota. all Representa-
tives In Congress. want increases to both
land and water defenses. Representative
lesher says that more submarines will ;
add greatly to the efficiency Of our fleets | ;
He believes. however. in paying more at
Iention to the National Guard than to
the regular army. IL
Representative Sydney Anderson of ,
is quoted as follows:
! am in favor of a small increase in ,
the standing army. but l am inclined
10 think that it is more desirable to
secure and maintain larger auxiliary ,
force which could be called upon in
me of war. by enlarging the number