The Washington times., 1915-08-08
DEMAND FOR DEFENSE
SWEEPS MIDDLE WEST
Remarkable Change in Senti.
ment Reported by Navy
League-Missouri in Line.

The most sweeping and sensational
revolution in sentiment in Americas 9
history has taken place in the great
Middle West on the subject OF national
defense since the outbreak Of the present
world war, according to the report of
the first months special campaign in
that section by the Navy League. The
report was made public by Ralph B.
Strassburger. the league director in
charge Of the work.
1.-THE Middle West today is lined up
solid for big Navy" said Strass-
burger. I'm the oldest and most con-
servative Democratic districts, from
which the greatest opposition has come
in the past to a naval program insur-
ing peace and honor for the Nation,
the greatest revolution has taken place
Headed by Champ Clark, the Speaker
Of the House. the Congressional delega-
has swung into line for patriotism,
From state Of mind in which at the
last last , session OF Congress they voted
against the two battleship bills in
body. they have rallied to the cause Of
national strength and honor. until dur
ing the past month Of hard work In cam
yyassiIng ysIsI III the State the Navy League has
round but three Congressman who are
not decided that one of the most ur-
gent measures necessary to the safety Of
the state Is the immediate construction
or better defensive forces
Missouri Changes Mind.
THE change in sentiment in Mis-
souri, is typical of the change which
has taken place all through the Mid
die West. Since the realization has
been driven home that our country
is likely at any time to be drawn into
the great European war, the Middle
West has answered the call of duty in
a splendid fashion. National defense
and the necessity of being prepared to
resist aggression from whatever source
Is upon every tongue. and the forces
OF the country are lined up splendidly
to demand from Congress adequate
measures of preparedness at once.
In no section is the patriotism and
pride of the Nation higher. and no sec
ton has done more for it's country in
vars Of the past. No section is more
solidly behind the foreign policy of the
President at present land If war should
come. no section will give more gen.
erously of men and money In the COM
mon cause"
Turing the past month in the Mid
die West the Navy League has made
an exhaustive canvass of sentiment in
favor of better national defenses in
many localities. Committees have
been orsanized in every State. and
preparations have been made to hold
series of great national defense weeks
in all cities of importance.
During the period Of work nearly
every Senator and Representative in
the entire district lying between the
western slope of the Allegheny noun
tains and the Missouri river has been
visited and an effort made to asceN
tain his attitude on matters pertain
ing to national defense The results
of this canvass were highly gratifying
to the league.
Opposition Scattered.
In group Of States which had con-
tributed ninety-two votes against the
two battleship bill in the last session
Of Congress, more than half the total
vote against the bill, only a single
Representative could be found who is
still working actively against national
defense, and only scattered few here
and there who maintain that it Is their
intention to vote against national de-
fense in the coming session Of Con-
gress.
The Navy League credits the phe
nomenal swing in sentiment which its
Investigations have unearthed to the
menace to the peace and integrity of
the country arising out Of complica-
tions Of the present European war.
1T is absurd" said Strassburger. TO
credit such reversal of Fundamental
vidual society. OF course such men as
Theodore Roosevelt. Lyman Abbott.
Congressman Gardiner. George Won l..
Meyer, and others, and such organiZa-
tions as the Navy League. the Army
League, the American Legion. and the
Security League have helped bring to
a focus the nationwide knowledge Of
our undefended condition and senti-
ment in favor of adequate defensss. but
the sentiment itself come from a
deeper source, the knowledge in the
heart of the American people of their
country's undefended condition and the
determination to place 1t in such posi-
ton that no foreign foe shall ever be
able to set foot upon our shores