New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-14
Will Confer on Maternal
Defence with Leaders
in Congress.
NEEDS OF ARMY TO
BE PROVIDED FOR
Wilson Harmonizing Details OF
Comprehensive Plans for
Military Efficiency.

from The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Aug. 13.-The ground Is
boirc Drcrared for the administration
national defence programme with oil
the skill at the command Of President
Wilson and the Secretaries Of War and
Navy. The President is arranging for
q series of conferences with Demo
cratic leaders in Congress most inter
es.ed in the armament queston-not-
ABLY Senators Tillman ard Chamber
lain, chairmcn of the committees on
Naval Affairs and Military Affairs, re
spectively, and Representatives Padgett
and Hay, chairmen OF the same com
mittees in the House.
After the President has explained
his purpose to these and other proml-
nent Democratic legislators, and sought
70 enlist their sympathy, the way Is
expected to be smoothed for the pas
sage Of the national defence bills.
Both Secretary Daniels and Secretary
Garrison have communicated the broad
outlines Of their plans to the Presi-
dent. and he is engaged in harmonizing
them and comparing them with his
own ideas Of the country's military
needs.
No details Of the national defence
plans have been divuged by the Off
cials concerned, but i. is known that in
creases in ornaments are in contem-
plation both for army and navy. Con
cress will be asked TO vote the largest
appropriations for defence purposes in
the country's history.
Want More DreaduOughts.
The building programme Of the navy
approved several years ago has fallen
short in recent years, especially as to
the number Of first class battleships
authorized, and the recommendations
Of the General Board will provide, It Is
understood, for a gradual increase IN
the number Of large ships until the
NAHUM required by the original pro-
pramme is reached. In spite Of the
demonstrated efficacy Of the submar-
inc, experts agree that the time has
not vet come TO decrease the number
Of capital ships.
Secretary Daniels will discuss this
part Of the programme with the Presl-
dent on Monday, when he expects TO
take up IN greater detail than was pos
sible yesterday. the ideas he has de-
veloped. In addition TO battleShlps and
- h.. f. Low Il %
for additional auxiliary craft The
Secretary expects 10 confer with Rep
resentative Padgett early IN September,
after which he will draft his recon-
mendations and submit them TO a con-
ference at which Senator Tillman and
Mr.. Padgett will be present with the
President
Secretary Garrison left tonight for
his sumner home in Seabright, y. d.,
where he Will put the finishing touches
on his report, a tentative draft or
which already has been handed to the
President The Secretary Will return
TO Washington on Tuesday to 90 over
the question with the President per
sOnally.
The Cabinet is expected to meet on
Tuesday TO hear the preliminary re-
ports Of Secretaries Daniels and Car
rson and offer its suggestions before
the final plans are prepared TO be sub
mitted TO Congress.
Country Favors Submarines.
Secretary Daniels declared to-day
that there was an overwhelming senu-
ment in the country tor large increases
in submarines and aircraft
1.-The people in inland states partlcu-
larly seem TO have come to the conclu-
sion that there should be large increas-
es in submarines and aerOpl Tor
our naval defcnces,' said the Secretary.
MANY of our citizens who DO not seem
to attach that Importance to dread
noughts which naval experts DO, or
who doubt the navy judgment OF the
dreadnoughts, are satisfied that the
next naval programme should provide
for liberal expenditure for under-sea
ships and aircraft
More and stronger dreadnoughts also
were TO be asked for, Mr.. Daniels said.
What the navy sought was to make the
dreadnoughts as invulnerable as posi-
bic.
"If we cannot make them invulner-
able" said the Secretary, I'VE want 70
find out how to prevent torpedoes from
sinking them"
The first meeting Of the naval ad-
visory board, headed by Thomas A.
Edison, will be held next month. Be
fore then Secretary Daniels will an
nOunce the entire persOnel of the
board, which will consist of twenty
Of the foremost scientists and invent
ors Of the country.