Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-17
NICHOLS SPEAKS
ON PREPAR PAREDNESS
Superintendent Of V. M. I. for
Strengthening of Means of
National Defense.
STERN ASKS AID FOR MILITIA
Would Begin Preparations at
Home-President Alderman
Favors Adequate Steps.

The Richmond branch OF the Ma
tional Security League heard two ad-
dresses last night on preparedness
at the auditorium of the Chamber Of
Commerce.
One was Il comprehensive and we'll
prepared outline by General T. W.
Nichols. superintendent of the Virginia
Military Institute, OF Lexington, for in
creasnG the efficiency of the army by
the creation Of a reserve corps of of
hcers The other was an appeal by
Lieutenant Colonel 10 Lane stern. as
sistant inspector-General Of Virginia
Volunteers. who appealed to the mem
bers of the organization to take 4
more active interest in tho military
commands of the city and give them
more hearty support. y letter from
President Edwin y. Alderman. of the
University OF Virginia. indorsed "ade-
quate preparedness"
Colonel Stcrn's idea was that the
Security League should appoint a COM
mittee to call on the commanders of
the several militia organizations in
Richmond and offer their services in
bringing each to a high state of ef-
hcicncy. He said that more could he
accomplished in the way of prepared
ness by taking some concrete action
than by the mere passage of resolu-
tons Colonel Stern cited the growing
spirit in other Virginia cities to aid
the Virginia Volunteers, and urged
that the citizens of Richmond-thc
business and professional mcn-should
not allow communities like Lynchburr
Newport News and Hampton to excel
Richmond in such movements.
CHAIRMAN HAY WILL DE
INVITED TO SPEAK HERE
Representative James Hay, of the
Seventh Virginia District. chairman of
the House Committee on Military AZ
fairs. Will be invited to address the
league on preparedness" at an early
date. The invitation was extended on
motion of Harry NJ. Smith Jr who
said that Mr.. Hay had been regarded
as a reactionary on the subject and he
thought he should he impressed with
the way the people of Richmond feel
i'll the matter. Colonel Alfred b. vii.
liams remarked that he thought the
league should address MIR. Hay, rather
than have him address the orEaniza-
ton. on the subject of preparedness"
The letter from President Alderman
heartily indorsed the idea FOR an ade-
Quate scientific defense" of the nation.
The United states cannot afford to he
weak and should prepare for defense,
DR.. Alderman wrote. He had been in
v!ted TO be present at the meeting, but
was unavoidably detained. He praised
President Wilson. and expressed con
tdence i'll the administrations. His plan
or preparedness" was similar to that
advanced by General Nichols
NICHOLS INTRODUCED AS STATES
LEADING MILITARY EXPERT
In Introducing General Nichols,
Wyndham r. Meredith president OF the
league, paid a high tribute to the su-
pcrintendent of the Virginia Military
Institute as the States leading mill
tary expert. Mr. Meredith was sar-
castle in his references to the attitude
Of William Jennings Bryan. former
Secretary Of state. against "preparcd-
ness and asserted that the organi2a-
tion did not recognize the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Bryan as a peace man"
AT $500 night. Mr.. Bryan delivered
an address in Richmond last Saturday
night in which he attacked the propa-
Eanda for preparedness.
In opening his address, General
peace and was opposed to war: that
he was not one of those termed by Mr..
Bryan as a lingo preparer of prepar-
cdncss" but he insisted that "prcparcd-
ness is necessary as a means 10 en-
force peace"
NICHOLS OUTLINES VIEWS
OF ADEQU-ATE PREPAREDNESS
The principal points set forth by the
general in his plea for "a sane and
adequate preparedness" as essential
to the defense of the country. were:
l. An adequate standing army.
.. y reserve corps OF officers and en-
listed men.
3. More generous action on the part
of the United states government in
supporting the state militia.
4. An adequate navy.
Il believe in strengthening the
American eagle to WOO the dove of
peace" said General Nichols. lie as
serted that he was not miltarist, nor
did he believe in war. for history tells
that wars have more often been set
tied on the basis OF nigh, rather than
right.
Il believe in a state OF prepared
ness, now lacking. as the surcst means
Of promoting peace" he continued
The rcputed union of Japan and Rus
sia constitutes Il menace to the United
States, especially the Philippine Is.
lands, Hawaii and Alaska and was
cited as a strong argument for in
crcasing the strength of the navy as
the first line OF the nations defense.
General Nichols'S plan for ncrca sing
the army and creating n reserve CORPS
by short terms of intensive military
training is In line with the reported
attitude of President Wilson and Sec
retary OF War Garrison on this Gues-
ton. With substantial reserve CORPS.