Evening journal., 1915-11-22

sible any increased armament IN TINS
country.
United States Senators Henry A..
DUPONT and Willard salisbury and Con-
gressman Thomas W. Miller had been
invited TO attend the meeting, but were
unable to be present.
Letters stating the cause OF their alb
sence were read but each representative
Of Delaware at the national capital sub
mittcd an open letter defining his views
on the subject and all fayoring army
and naval preparedness by the United
States. These were discussed following
the reading.
4 resolution was adopted at the meet
inc. addressed TO Congressman Miller,
whose letter went into the preparedness
subject at length, as follows;
'Whereas, The intense suffering and
misery resulting from the warning ma
tions bearing most heavily upon those
who, with their labor, has made ciNili-
zation possible; and
Whereas, The state Of prepared
ness advocated principally by those 10
whom the manufacture of machinery
of war means great material gain does
not insure. but on the contrary is
most instrumental in creating a mill
tGrist tendency; and
Whereas, This advocacy of a So
called state of preparedness has been
so instrumental that most of the rep
resentatives of the people in our leg
islatures have been carried away by
the flood of militaristic sentiment let
loose by those who seek TO control
legislatures TO satisfy their greed for
power and profit; therefore, be II
Resolved. That we, representing
a considerable portion OF your con-
stituency, after having thoroughly
discussed all sides Of the question, alb
solutely condemn the enactment OF
legislation that would make possible
any increased armament, and hereby
call upon you as our representative TO
oppose any such legislation that may
be proposed. so that you will act ac-
cording 10 the wish of those you are
supposed to represent"
Charles w. Erwin, Of Philadelphia,
addressed the meeting, opposing
preparedness" and national defense
plans. Mr.. Erwin outlined the policy
followed by the opponents of national
! defense plans and answered questions
| asked from the audience regarding
the arguments put forth by the sup
porters Of the policy framed by the
government
Senator DUPONT. in his letter. said
Winterthur. Del, Nov. 16, 1915.
IT, x. Miller, Esq,
Representing the Joint Committee
of the Central Labor Union an
the Central Branch. Socialis
Party, East Fourteenth stree
Wilmington. Del.
Dear Sir: / have your commune
tion asking me to forward by lett
my views upon the question whiS
YOU have asked Congressman Mill
to discuss at a meeting 10 be held
Sunday next.
After a perusal Of the copy of yoi
letter to him. l understand this cue
ton TO be. Whether or not IL is e
pedient to favor the Increase of arm
ments throughout the world
large?"
I agree with you in thinking
that the question should receive
"the greatest consideration and
be the subject of careful and
earnest discussion" This is
especially true so far as our
country is concerned, and when
Congress meets in a few weeks
it seems certain that the matter
will be exhaustively treated.
The whole subject covers such
a wide field that it cannot be ade-
quately treated within the limits
of an ordinary letter; but, as one
who has had personal experience
OF the untold miseries and calami-
ties incident to a state OF war,
have no hesitation in saying that
am q very strong advocate OF
peace So far as the best and
surest means Of maintaining this,
there are. of course. wide diner
ences of opinion. My long expert
ence as a soldier absolutely con-
vinces me that under present
conditions our country could be
over-run and occupied in a very
few months by almost any first
class power, and, i'm order to pre-
vent this. but not for any purpose
of aggression, I therefore con-
slider it my duty to advocate ade-
0uate preparations for its de-
fence. both on land and ON the
sea
From what has been said you
will perceive that I do not share
q YOUR views as to the lessons 10
e be derived from the present
'r European conflict. To my mind
D il seems that there would have
/ been no war had England, Rus
* sia and Belgium held themselves
in a sufficient state OF prepara-
u tion.
as Yours truly,
Of II. A. DUPONT.
Senator Salisbury also declared
Is favor of an adequate military a
e naval establishment as a protectlon
e. this country against attacks by iC
a. eign mower. but not for aggressl'
ca Congressman Miller. who had be
D. invited 10 address the meeting, Sc
the following letter:
"Wilmington, Del, Nov. 20, 1919
"Nir +. X. Miller. Representing
ho Ioint Committees of the Cent
al Labor Union and the Social
he PARTY. Wilmington, Delaware.
on "Dear Sir: Under date OF the Il
'u inst, replied TO your communi
az ton. inviting me to be present
~ ~ your meeting in Pythian Castle
,is sunday, the 21st inst, and to state
he views upon tha question Of the
nc crease of armaments.
de IAN appointment that l have
iv- Sunday afternoon, which, as
Ier agreed with me over the telephone
in one that l cannot forego, will prev
all me from accepting your invitat
but following out your suggestion
am sending this letter TO you
whatever use you may desire TO m