The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-17
NATIONAL SECURITY
LEAGUE BRANCH FORMED
W. II. Meredith Named President Al
Meeting Of Body Held
Yesterday.
WANTS MORE EFFIoIENoY
Oh5cCs Of Organization Il to Prepare
Nssional Guard 70 Better Defend
Country In Chse Of Attack.

+ Henry l. West, executive secretary
OF the National Security League. and
former commissioner Of the District
Of Columbia. appeared at the initial
meeting OF the local branch of the
association. held yesterday afternoon
In the Business Mems Club, and ex-
planned just for what purpose the
league had been organised.
Laying stress on the fact that at
the present time the conditions in
this country are dsplorable. Mr.. West
asserted that the principal object OF
the National Security League Is to
obtain for the United States adequate
preparedness tor war. He declared
that efforts win be made to awaken
the country TO full realization Of the
existing conditions, 70 that tho people
will demand action and by 90 doing
crystaltss adequate defense.
He satd that while 1t 10 the object
Of the league to advocate peace. 1t
feels that thu United States should be
prepared to defend this country In the
Ar. West said that It has been shown
that war 10 not impossible. although
many thought that 1t was = thing Of
the past until the European countries
began fighting more than q year ago.
This league was formed about eight
months ago by several New Workers.,
who gathered In . hotel In the Gotham
CITY. and since that time branches
lhAve been started In practically every
city in tho United States Of any con-
sequence.
"A large amount OF money has been
eubscr1bed to the league, but not one
penny has come into tho treasury from
any corporation engaged In the manu-
fActure OF munitions Of war" declared
Mr.. West.
l.. Congress Has Been indifferent
HI. wSst told his heArera thar
Congress had been very Indifferent
about such matters. for several times
bills have been offered providing this
country with m adequate defense. but
most times. he said. they never came
to vote. He says that the members
OF the league are not advocating IN
extr.vasant navy. Or such . large
standing army, but they desire added
efYiciency for the national guard.
We are not advocating prepared
ness In order to attack anybody. but
to be ready to resist attack II the oc-
caston demanded"
The following resolution was pass
cd and WIN be given TO Governor
Henry c. Stuart today:
Resolved. That we respectfully re-
quest n1s ENcellency the Honorable
Henry c. Stuart, Governor OF this
State, TO cooperate with the other
State executives In furtherihg the
cause Of adequate preparedness by
appointing Virginia State Committee
on National Defense. OF such q num-
Der N he may deem proper, and rep
resenting all sections OF the State.
Branch Organised.
w. r. Meredith was elected presi-
dent Of the local branch Of the league,
while Edward J. Willis and william
Todd were selected to MI the ofices
Of treasurer ana secretary. respec-
lively. Thirty-five Joined the league
yesterday.
1t was decided to hold q rally In
the near future at some large hall In
Richmond for the purpose of hearing
speakers Of national reputation ex-
press themselves on the subject Of
adequate preparedness Among those
Ito be present will be General Nicholls
superintendent Of virginia Military
institute. He has notified tho local
organization that he will be present
ut the next meeting. which Will be
held about the middle OF October.