Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-01

10 avert disaster anu disgrace IN war
| is by preparation, both military and
naval, in advance.
| In the event Of war l should ask
permission of Congress to raise a di-
vision of cavalry, that is. nine regi-
ments such as the regiment l COM
! Inanded in Cuba and unquestionably
| the ranks Of these regiments would
/ largely be filled from the men of the
/ legion and would in their entirety be
filled by men such as those in the
/ legion, for in the event Of war, there
! will be no time to train the men first
/ called upon in such duties as shoot
! ing, riding and taking care of Them
/ selves in the open.
/ 1T is absolutely impossible to be
sure when there is such a tremendous
/ it against our will. The people Of this
country are only beginning to realize
, the extent of our military and naval
unpreparedness.'
Colonel Roosevelt says II is idle for
! US to trust to arbitration and treaties
unbacked 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"
| Jchnstcn's Statement
| In a formal statement Of the aims
and objects of the legion, given out
tonight by Capt. Johnston and his as
| sociates. it is said that the legion nov
being incorporated under the laws Of
! New York States plans to enroll il
lis membership, first, all men who have
had army and naval training and are.
therefore, equipped for instant service
! But the legion seeks TO enroll patriotic
! citizens. generally especially those who
F! have been unable to serve in the
army, navy or organized militia in
times of peace but whose special quail
tications make them desirable
! The integrity and value Of tho
American Legion is guaranteed by the
.. character Of the prominent men who
| will stand sponsor to it, says the
statement. 1T has already received
/ the unofficial endorsement of Major
General Wood the strong approval OF
Former President Roosevelt and OF
numerous other men OF national promi-
! hence, and while the personnel Of its
executive committee and board Of hon
| oTary advisers has not vet been finally
| decided upon, it should be stated in
| advance that it will include several
| former secretaries of the army or
navy. former United States senators.
college professors, former governors,
leading newspaper men, magazine edi-
tors, etc
| Declaring that the organizers Of the
I legion do not believe in nilitarism, but
want the country 10 be prepared for
any emergency, the statement continues:
| Those who still believe we are pre-
pared tor war. cannot DE convinced by
argument since they have not been con-
WINGED by cold facts recently made pub
lie. The rest of us who do not accept
cold Facts must act without their help.
We do not believe in militarism, but
we do believe in being able to defend
ourselves if we are attacked. There is a
vast difference.
| I'VE propose to leave for later Settle
melt by the American people even the
conservative suggestions of a somewhat
/ larger army and navy Of a somewhat
| more developed militia, Of a mild course
| OF military instruction in the schools
! We plan for only the immediate and
crying need And the movement we ad-
Tocate involves no military training or
service in time of peace, no increase
in our standing army, navy or militia.
no national expenditure-nothinc but the
intelligent use Of already existing ma
terial already on hand
/ Captain Johnston, IN experimenting the
! formal CT no
legion was being organized independent
OF the army or navy and would have no
official connection with either. it would
| be organized along the lines Of the
| ceoara phical divisions Of the army.
The government, he said. keeps no
record Of the men who annually leave
the army and navy. He estimated that
there are from 25e.oo0 10 800 .Oao of these
men scattered throughout the country
who within short period can be en-
rolled.
1T is planned to have two active
/ branches Of the LEGION said Capt
Johnston. The line will be composed
| exclusively of men who have had
! navy service or who can handle a
! high power rifle and are seasoned in
that fundamental Of soldering. taking
care of themselves. roughing it in
/ the open-the combination of regular
and Rough Riders
The special service branch of the
legion VIII accept in its various ser
vices only those men with thorough
! technical qualifications such as engi-
neers, doctors, aviators, blacksmiths
| telegraphists, chauffeurs, and men OF
dozens Of other special callings It will
he what the government now lacks
/ a first reserve.
THE legion will be divided into
| units correlated with those OF the reg
| ular army and navy representing al
arms Of the service. National head
quarters will be located temporarily
| at Governors Island, n. Y, and de-
partrnent headquarters will be estab-
lished at important centers through
out the country and all its posses
sions."
Capt. Johnson said that wheneve,
war seems likely the members will
hold themselves in readiness and IN
case Of mobilization report In person
TO their nearest headquarters. The
members win wear small red. white
and blue legion buttons.