The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-01
FOR U. S. DEFENSE.
Former Army, Navy and Militiamen
Form a League.

New York, March Formal an
lnouncement was made here last night
of the formation of an organization of
/ first reserves to be known as the Amer
lean Legion to be composed of former
army, navy and militiamen, the purpose
OF which will be better TO insure the
nations preparedness in case of war.
| Capt Gordon Johnston, aidede camp TO
Major Gen. Leonard Wood commanding
/ the department Of the east, made the
announcement on behalf OF group Of
army and navy men, who, in an unofii-
cial capacity. are acting with civilians in
promoting the movement. Captain John
ston said that it is planned to establish
within short time such first reserve
of between 25O,0O0 and 100000 men for
instant cal in case of emergency.
Major General Wood has already given
the plan his unofficial endorsement and
former President Roosevelt has written
letter approving the proposal. Numer-
GUS other public men have endorsed the
project and statement by the promot
ers say that former secretaries of war
and the navy have indicated their will
instant call in case Of emergency.
Asserting that he and his four sons
will become members Of the hgion Col
onel Roosevelt in a letter TO the organi-
zation says that In the event OF war he
intends TO ask Congress for permission
to raise a division OF cavalry. Mr.. Roose-
velt's letter in part follows;
Il and my four sons will gladly be.
come members. very earnestly hope
and pray that there viii be no war; but
the surest way 20 avert war is 10 be
srepared for Il; and the only way to
avert disaster and disgrace in war is by
preparedness, both military and naval in
advance.
sIn the event Of war ] should ask per.
mission Of Congress TO raise a division
Of cavalry. that is, nine regiments such
as the regiment ] commanded IN Cuba;
and unauestionably the ranks Of these
regiments would largely b. filed from
the men Of the legion and would in their
entirety be filed by men such as those
in the legion; for in the event Of war
there will be no time 90 train the men
FIRST called upon in such duties as shoot.
ing, riding and taking care Of themselves
in the open.
"we should as a nation have begun to
prepare ourselves the minute this war
broke out seven months ago. II is abso-
lutely impossible 20 be- sure when there
i such tremendous war. that We shall
not be drawn into IL against our viii.
The people Of this country are only be-
ginning 70 realize the extent Of our mill.
tsry and naval unpreparedness.
Colonel Roosevelt saws be will gladly
serve a. chairman % the legion's board
ii honorary advisers and hopes that the
leQion win accomplish its purpose IN Or.
rauizinp a first reserve. for, he saysi
III Is idlc for us 70 Trust 20 arbitration
aud neutrality treaties unbacked by
force. Let us art justly toward others
and lct us also De- prepared with stout
heart and strong hand o. defend our
rights against injustice from others
fo a formal statement a the slime and
objects 81 the legion out last night BY
Cartaiu Iahust0n and bic ass9riates. 4
3 said that thc legion. nov bring ineaf-
paratpd under tbC laws Of New York
state. plans a. enroll IN its meuibefbin.
afsi aH men Who have had armv and
naval trimming end arF fherff0nr
eTuirlsd far instant striee Baf tsf
4. fan aerls a. eurln patriuiie eit1rens
generally. especially th0se uho hare been
unable - serve in thr nruF. nafB of
Organized mltia IN tfne CT reafs hai
ahase sr,eriai qualifrutious rrakt theul
immediately raiushle