Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-16
HAY WILL Fight
Plan TO ENLARGE
DEFENSE FORCES
Probable Chairman of Military
Affairs Committee Voices
Opposition to Program
SAYS PEOPLE WILL NOT
TAKE KINDLY TO PLANS
Many Citizens Came to U. S. to
Escape Compulsory Service,
IS One of His Points
sy c. S. ALsERT.

Especial Star Bulletin Correspondence
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Aug. Sit
has become apparent that efforts to
materially increase the army and navy
will meet with the utmost opposition
in Congress.
President Wilson. with Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels, soon will take
up the formulation of reorganization
plans, with better preparedness in all
branches Of the national defense.
These will form the basis for appro-
pirate recommendation to Congress
when that body meets in extraordinary
or regular session.
The first outright declaration Of an,
tagonism comes from RepfS tatrve
James Hay. who viii doubtless be
chairman of the house committee on
military affairs when arrangements
for the winters work are completed.
His utterances are equivalent to an
announcement that any material: In
crease or,recrganization or, will be accom-
plished only over his dead body. He
has pronounced views on the subject
and will refuse his approval for any
program which largely adds to the
present rates of taxation.s
In discussing rumors and reports
concerning the tentative plans under
consideration, Mr.. Hay said:
IF the president, or Secretary Gar
rison, or Secretary Daniels, has any
plans to make extraordinary prepara-
ticn for national defense, ! do not
know about It from any source, Mr.
Hay said. "AIi that / know about any
elaborate program to increase the
army and navy has come to me
through the newspapers.
'I have not heard from the presi-
dent en- the subject and have not con-
ferred with Secretary Garrison. /
have no bill ready to Introduce In
the next house and have not thought
seriously of framing one.
Unless something unexpected hap
pens. / will be chairman of the n1ili-
tary affairs committee, but the mem
bers of that committee have not been
elected by the house and will not be
until Congress meets.
"Of course, If the president Invites
me to confer with him to consider
plans to enlarge the army and provide
for better national defense, will ac-
cept the invitation, and give him the
benefit of my observations as mem
Der of the house.
Finds No Real Demand.
| have not found among the people
any real demand for changing our
present policy Of providing for ma
tiorial defense said Mr.. Hay. Many I
Of our people came to this country I
years ago to escape militarism and
army service. l do not be- +
Iieye that there are many men IN +
Congress who would vote for a meas
ure providing for conscription. That
sort of an appropriation is out OF the
luestion unless we are actually facing
/ threatening enemy.
Ever since the European war COM
nenced the militarists. In this coun-
rv-those who advocate big stand
ng army and the consequent expendi.
ure of tremendous sums of money for
military purposes-have been elamor-
ng that the United States is In danger
if attack and invasion by an enemy.
Granting that war may confront us,
ire we helpless, unprotected and un-
II do not think so.'
Mr.. Hay believes that serious
proposition to provide standing army
# 100000 men would meet with great
Iisapproyal throughout the country.
What we need is force sufficient
or Defense" said Mr.. Hay, "and it is
art of wisdom to have such force
With the least expense and the least
urden upon the people. We have not
he compulsory military service that ,
btains in almost every country on con-
mental Europe, and therefore it would
e an enormous, If not impossible. task
D raise, under our system, an army of
10000 men in time of peace.
THE expense of $500, 100000 year
yould necessitate immediate imposi-
ION of burdensome taxes far in excess
( anything this country has ever {
nown, except during the civil war. j
or this reason ,alone-the heavy taxes :
1t would be impossible to increase 4
he army appreciably without chang
lg our military system -. =.s. Ef