New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-16
Senator Urges Creation OF
National Council to
Guide Action.
TELLS OF DEFECTS
IN ARMY AND NAVY
Puts on Congress Larger Share
Of Blame for Military
UnpreparedneSs.
rr-nn m. rasun. Bu-sau ]

Washington. Jan. 15.-ln speech
citing defects OF both army and navy
Senator Lodge. Of Massachusetts, gave
impetus to-day 10 the movement for an
investigation Of national defences by
advocating the creation OF national
council to which may be committed
the task Of preparing and keeping pre-
rarcd the United States for the ext
ccncics Of war.
Nr Lodge disavowed any partisan
motive in urging a full invesugsuon'
"a wish the people 20 have the cono'-
ION o. our national defences clearly
and honestly presented 70 them' ne
said. "and then decide what they WISH
20 have done. n the people are 70 pass
intelHccntly on this question and
am sure they feel a very deep interest
in they should have the facts pre-
sented 10 them i'm a clear and con-
densed form and as the result OF an
examination conducted by men IN
whose ability. honesty and good )udg-
uent they have entire confidence.
In addition 20 the national council
OF defence the Senator approved OF the
idea OF a general staff in the navy as
well as in the army. He asserted that
the army was neither properly bal
anccd properlv proportioned nor prop
erlv equipped. and that the navy was
very strong in certain directions and
weak IN others, and had little or no
equipment IN important particulars.
Senator Lodge paid tribute 20 Seore-
tarv Garrison by reading long extract
from the latter's annual report on the
subject OF military preparedness and
the lessons 10 be drawn from the Eu-
ropean war. "The Secretary OF war
makes A statement upon the general
question Of national defence said Mr.
Lodge. (Which seems TO me as remark
able for the courage with which facts
are faced as 10 is for the clearness,
the strength and the power with which
those facts are stated
Fault of Congress.
Senator Lodge said that the national
defence els not only imperfect and un-
balanced, but it has grave and IN some
instances fatal deficiencies" He des-
icuated what he termed many OF the
defects and said they were almost
wholly due 20 Congress
An adequate national defence, the
Senator said, could be obtained with
out additional expenditure. "Cut of
our needless AMY posts, navy yards
and stations he advised. Lay aside
for a few years appropriations for pub
lie buildings and river and harbor i'm
provemcnts where they are not need
ed. drop all the expenditures which
arc designed for spots where votes are
lying thickest. and YOU Will have money
enough 20 provide for q sufficient army
and an adequate navy without adding
10 the burden OF taxation
Mr. Lodge warned the Senate that
the ocean barrier which defended the
country I'm l716 and in 1912 had been
destroyed by steam and electricity
Unarmed. unready, undefended, ne said,
the nation stood. an invitation 10 ag-
cressiOn and attack.
The Senator asserted that not only
tho regular army, but the militia. was
highly defective, adding that the Pana-
ma Canal was "miserably and most in
adequately protected" against being
blown up and blocked for months by
agents or spies Of a hostile ration.
PIE said the recommendation Of Sec
rotary Garrison for $4,000 more men
was very moderate. and he expressed
rcrrct that only sixteen men we're or
tbc reserve list. subject TO be called
bacs 20 the colors 10 fiji up the gaps
which war would make in the regular
army.
short Of Artillery.
Senator Lodge declared the army was
without sufficient artillery and artillery
ammunition. and declared available
testimony showed that the guns in the
Notifications we're OF shorter range
than those carried by foreign warships
Of the latest designs. The army had
practically no motor trucks for trans
port or armOred motor cars with ma
chine guns
"Thc difficulty appears TO be-" Mr..
do, .ov+f,urI "occcr1inC 70 tho