New Britain herald., 1915-03-01
AMERICAN LEGION
 AS FIRST RESERVE
OfgaDz1tion Of Former U 5. A1ml, Navy and Mi|Itianen Announced.

New York, March 1.-Tormal an of the formation of an organization Of first reserves to be known as the American Legion to be composed of former army. navy and milltamen, the purpose of which will be better to insure the nations preparedness in case Of war Captain Gordon John ston, aided de-Camp to Major General Leonard Wood, commanding the de- partmont of the east, made tho ar nOuncemcnt on behalf of q group of army and navy men who in an unof1i- clal capacity arc acting with civilians in promoting the movement. Captain Johnston said that 1t is planned to establish within short time q first reserve if between 250 GO and 300,- 900 former army and navy and mili- tlanen for instant call in case of emergency
 Major General Wood has already given the plan his unofficial endorse ment and eX-President Roosevelt has written a letter approving the pro- posal Numerous other public men nave endorsed the project, and statement by the promoters says that former secretaries of war and of the navy have indicated their willingness to act in an advisory capacity.
 Asserting that he and his four sons WILL become members of the legion. Colonel Roosevelt in a letter to the organizers says that in the event of war he intends to ask congress for permission to raise division of cav airy
 Rooscvclt's Letter.
 MT. Roosevelt's letter in part fol- lows
 II and my four sons will gladly be- come members. I very earnestly hope and pray that there will be no war; but the surest way to avert war is to be prepared for it; and the only way to avert disaster and disgrace in war is by preparation, both military and naval in advance.
 Tn the event of war I should ask permission of congress to raise a di- vision of cavalry, that is, nine regi- mems such as the regiment l com7 manded in Cuba; and unquestionabIy the ranks of these regiments would largely be filled from the meil of tho legion and would in their entirety be filled by men such as those in the
 
 will be no time to train the men first called upon in such duties as shoot in, riding and taking care of them selves in the open.
 May Be Drawn Into War.
 We should as nation have begun to prepare ourselves the minute this war broke out seven months ago. It is absolutely impossible to be sure, when there is such q tremendous war that we shall not be drawn into 1t against our will. The people of this country are only beginning to req lizc the extent of our military and naval 
 Colonel Roosevelt says he will glad ly serve as chairman of the Iegion's board of honorary advisors and hopes that the legion will accomplish it's pur- pose in organizing first reserve, for. he says:
 Tt is idle for us to trust to arbi- tration and neutrality treaties un- backed by force. Let us act justly toward others and let us also be pre- pared with stout heart and strong hand to defend our rights against in- justice from others''
 Aims and Objects
 Tn a formal statement of the aims and objects of the legion given out last night by Captain Johnston and his associates, it is said that the legion, now being incorporated under the laws of New York state, plans 10 enroll in it's membership, first all men who have had army and naval train ing and are, therefore, equipped for instant service. But the legion seeks to enrol patriotic citizens generally, those who have been unable ! to serve in the army, navy or organ lzed militia in time of peace, but whose special qualifications make 1 them immediately available.
 The integrity and value of the l American legion is guaranteed bv the | character of the prominent men who | will stand sponsor to it. says the | statement. At has already received | the unofficial endorsement of Major Leonard Wood, the strong | approval of former President Roose- l welt, and of numerous other men of national prominence, and while the l personnel of its executive committee 1 and board of honorary advisors has not yet been finally decided upon. it | can be stated in advance that it will | include several former secretaries of | the army or navy, former United states senators, college presidents former governors, leading newspaper men, magazine editors, etc.
 Declaring that the organizers of he legion do not believe in mili- tarism, but want the country to be prepared for any emergency the statement continues
 No one can be sure this country will not be dragged into war. There fore 1t is only common sense to pro vide against that ugly possibility A man may be pretty sure his house