The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-30
viii be Held In Washington Follow
Ing Sessions Of Grand Army
Of the Republic En-.
campment.
DATES OCTOBER 4 TO z
Larger Army, Navy. National Guard,
Ship, Coast Defenses, Sub
marines, Rifles, Ammunl-
ton 10 Needed.

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 3d.
Plans for the conference on national
defense. to be held here under aus
pices Of the National Defense league,
October Al. Immediately following the
Grand Army Of the Republic encamp-
ment. are under full Roadway. Many
thousands Of the veterans who attend
the G. A. r. encampment will remain
in Washington for the sessions OF the
conference on national defense, which
will be presided over by Represents
tive julius Kahn, of California, chair
man, and u. 8. Senator Robert f.
Broussard, Of Louisiana, vice chair
man, of the National Defense league.
While the conference will be held
under auspices Of the National De-
tense league It will not be conve =
|tion of the league, but great gather
ing Of repres entative citizens from
ievery state in the union who will con-
slider what measure must be taken by
congress and the states to increase
the navy. army. national guard and
coast defenses-to put the country In
a military and naval position where j.
will be able to maintain its dignity
and security throughout the world.
The National Defense conference Ia
unique in that all citizens Of the Unit
ed States, including readers OF this
newspaper. are invited to attend tho
conference. Any citizen, man or wora-
an, from any section Of this country,
can attend the conference as an &C
the deliberations on national defense
and address to the National Defense
Joo h,,i1H{nO "oohfrufnyN
u. c., with notification of his or b IT
intention to take part in the confer
ence. No other appointment or ere
dentials are necessary to participate
in the conference.
This will be the first great national
gathering Of any kind in this country
where everybody is invited to attend.
A large number Of members of con-
gress, governors OF states, members o.
state legislatures, mayors of cities,
officers Of commercial organizations,
editors OF American newspapers, vet.
Grams and members Of patriotic organ
izations. and hundreds Of prominent
citizens from every part Of the country
ALREADY have signifed their intention
of attending the conference.
The prog gram, now being arranged.
Will last four days, and will include
some of the greatest speakers and men
| OF national fame in the country. Many
prominent men have accepted invita-
lions to speak at the conference. The
speakers program Is to be announced
later. It will include cabinet officers,
governors, senator's, representative.
land many prominent citizens.
| From the immense amount OF mail
concerning the conference now being
sent to the National Defense league
here 1t Is believed the conference will
| be the greatest convention of any
kind ever held in the United States
There is a nationwide interest in the
national defense problem. A state
ment issued today by the National
! Defense league said:
After more than two years Of per
sistent propaganda and large amou \:
! of work by the National Defense
league, which was the first and pionee'
defense organization, we rejoice that
the people have at last walked up to
the necessity for adequate preparation
THE Washington conference will
focus the attention of the country on
what all patriotic Americans now dc
sire congress to do, to put the country
on a defense basis, strong enough to
protect our republic, our citizens, GU!
ocean commerce, our worldwide IN
terests, and the honor Of our flag
We are not in such a position now.
I'VE must have larger navy. a
larger army, a larger national guard
more coast Notifications, more naval
ships. more field guns, more sub
marines, more rifles, and more am
munition of every kind"