The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-26
THE PLANS OF THE
AMERICAN LEGION

patches sent out from New 1Ork, OF
the formation of an organization to
be known as the American Legion. to
be composed of former army, navy,
and militia men, who should hold
themselves subject to service as a line
of reserves for national defense.
The dispatches stated that the an
nouncement was made by Captain
Gordon Johnson, aide de camp to
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, command
ing the department of the east, and
that a group of army and navy men
in an unofficial capacity were acting
with civilians in promoting the move
ment, which, Capt. Johnston said,
would comprise in a short time be-
tween 100000 and 100000 men, for in
slant call in case of emergency. The
same dispatches made this statement:
General Wood has already given
the plan his unofficial Endorsement,
and former President Roosevelt has
written a letter approving the pro-
posal." In his letter approving the
plans Colonel Roosevelt said, Il
and my four sons will gladly be-
come members"
Washington dispatches under date of
in a letter to Brigadier General Hugh
L. Scott, chief Of staff of the army,
denied that anyone in his department
has had any official connection with
the American Legion movement; al
so, that General Wood, in telegram
to Secretary of War Garrison "charac-
terized as untrue statements that
propaganda had been issued from his
departmental headquarters" for the
organization of the legion.
1t was stated at that time that Gen.
Woods telegram was prompted by
protests from Bishop David H.
Greer of New York and other mem
bers of the American League to Limit
Armament. The statements in pro-
test General Wood declared were
'faudacious."
Officers of the new organization.
which was incorporated Thursday
are as follows: President. E. Or
monde Power; vice-president, Julien
T. Davies, j.; treasurer, Henry Rog-
ers Winthrop; secretary, Dr. John f.
Hausmann. 1t was announced last
week that the following had accepted
invitations to become members of the
advisory council: Former President
Theodore Roosevelt; Elihu Root. sec
rotary of war in President McKinley's
cabinet and secretary of state in
President Roosevelt's; Jacob NJ.
Dickinson, secretary of war in Presi-
dent Taft's cabinet; George Won L.
Meyer, postmaster general in Presi-
dent Roosevelt's cabinet and secretary
of the navy with Taft; Truman H.
Newberry, secretary of the navy un-
der Roosevelt; Henry L. Stimson,
secretary of war with Taft; Luke Z.
Wright, secretary of war with Roose-
welt and former general of
the Philippines.
Following is an account of the aims,
purposes and plans of the American
Legion, sent out from the headquart-
ers of the organizations:
The American Legion, now being
incorporated under the laws of New
York state, is a patriotic organiza-
ton for national defense. 1t appeals
not only to men trained or partially
trained for war, but to all loyal
Americans in civil life whose occupa-
tional training will render their serv-
ices Immediately valuable in time of
need
The integrity and value of the
the character of the prominent men
who will stand sponsor to it. 1t has
already received the hearty approval
unofficial, of Major General Wood,
the strong approval of ex-President
Roosevelt and of numerous other ma
tional men of prominence. While the
personnel of its executive committee
and board of honorary advisers has
not yet been finally decided upon, it
can be stated in advance that it will
include several former secretaries OF
the army and navy, United States
governors, leading newspaper men,
magazine editors, etc.
No one can be sure this country will
not be dragged into war. Therefore
it is only common sense to provide
against that ugly possibility. A man
may be pretty sure his house will not
burn, but he insures it just the same
Those who still believe we are pre-.
pared for war cannot be convinced by
argument, since they have not been
convinced Of cold facts recently made
public. The rest of us. who do ac.
cept the cold facts, must act without
their help.
we &c not DelieNe III militarlSm
but we do believe in being able to de.
fend ourselves if we are attacked
There is a vast difference.
We propose to leave for later set.
Element by the American people even
the conservative suggestions OF q
somewhat larger army and navy. of q
somewhat more developed militia, Of
a mild course of military instruction
in the schools We plan for only
the immediate and crying need. AnC
the movement we advocate involve,
no military training or serice in time.
of peace, no increase of our standing
army, navy or militia. no national ex
Notwithstanding but the intel
gent use of existing material already
on hand.