Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-15
URGES
LOTS FOR DEFENSE
Condemns Wilson and Bryan for
Citizen Soldiery" and Mon
Resistance" Remarks.
URGES A MERCHANT MARINE


DAVENPORT, Ia, Oct. 14.--Con-
demnation of certain utterances of
President Wilson and William j.
Bryan, regarding citizen soldiery and
non-resistance and of the LaFollete
seaman's act, as tending to prevent
creation of q merchant marine auxil-
iary of the navy was uttered here to-
night by Henry d. Estabrook, New
York attorney, at the banquet of the
midwest conference on preparedness.
Mr.. Estabrook, Senator Cummins Of
Oowa, and several other speakers ad-
dressed an audience containing many
members of the national congress. as
we'll as representatives of most of the
principal cities of Iowa and Illinois.
mo nation threatens US in SO many
words" Mr.. EstabroOk said. but who is
oblivious to hints and intimatlons? We
boast our strength to repel attack when
we know that we are weaker than dish
water. While other nations have been
preparing for aggression. we have not
made ready even for defense.
Must Spend Money.
'sThe Vaccinations against this govern
ment ct the moment are more subter-
ranean than submarine. Our duty is TO
defend against both. We must forthwith
spend money for defense and lots Of 1t.
We must know that we are safe even
from the temptation Of attack. Our peace
and future happiness depend upon this
assurance"
Mr.. Estabrook said further that there
are mo better auxiliary to a navy than
a merchant marine. nor is there any in
strumentallty that contribute more to the
glory and riches OF a country" This
brought him to consideration OF the La
Toilette act. which he characterized as
''the stupidest piece OF legislation In the
history OF the country"
1T should not be spoken OF as an act
10 encourge our merchant marine, but 10
abolish It and turn our shipping over TO
Japan, for that will be the sum total of
its accomplishment" said Mr. Estabroolk.
Senator Cummlns advocated a consist
ent program OF preparedness OF ankle the
nation ready to defend itself and main
7
tain its peace.
II have no sympathy with the pro
posai TO enter in mad competition for
dominance, which has characterized the
| policy Of Great Britain and Germany, "
said Senator Cummins, but congress
should fake immediate measures 10 sup
ply the necessary elements OF ou rnaval
/ strength. However. / am utterly op-
posed to any plan for the reorganization
OF the army including land reserves that
involves compulsory military training ex.
cept in schools.
THE regular army probably requires
some enlargement. but we should be very
conservative about the extent Of its in
crease. For the body OF reserves we
must either take the National Guard OF
create federal militia and make the serv-
I ice so attractive that we will at all
times have enough young men with mill
! tary experience to furnish almost in
! stantly an army OF any desired strength. -
} Miss Alice French 10 Davenport. known
under the pen name Of ostave Thanet
was the only woman speaker at the con
| ference. She expressed the belief that
/ the women OF the United States were be
coming converted 20 preparedness foI
they were learning that the only way "a
insure protection for their homes was Ia
be prepared to defend them from aggres-
/ sion.