The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-17
MAYOR LEADS 800
IN DEFENCE DEMAND
Support Pledged to Congress
for Adequate Army and
Navy by City Committee.
COOPERATION IS X

Resolutions plcdsing support to the
President and tho Congress In providing
for the common defence through an de-
quate army and navy and calling for q
national meeting Of defence organizations
were adopted yesterday afternoon by
the Committee OF One Thousand on
National Defence recently appointed by
Mayor Mitchell. Upward OF 500 mem
members OF tho committee attended this
tho first meeting of The committee In
the Aldermanic Chamber at the City
Hall n received with enthusiasm the
speakers on the subject.
The Mayor opened the meeting with
a stirring address In which he pointed
out the DUTY Of all citizens In this matter
and claimed for New York city AN es-
pecial right to be active in promoting de-
fensive measures in that this city besides
being the greatest seaport OF the coun-
try and having In every crisis demon
strated Its patriotism is most interested
because OF It's peculiar position In what
ever may be done toward real prepared
ness.
'The issue is to be presented to the
people OF tho United States" he said,
whether they will continue to lull them
selves into inact!on through a sense of
security hat does not exist, "a sense OF
isolation hat no longer exists. or
whether they will now take steps 10
insure the permanent peace and happi-
ness and safety of this country by pro-
viding defences that will make II i'm.
possible for any enemy coming from
any point at any time successfully TO
attack the integrity Of this country.
hat issue will be presented to tho
Congress OF the United States. and II Is
proper that the voice of tho city OF
New York should be heard II that time.
National Duty.
Now. gentlemen. ] believe with all my
heart that you have II national duty 10
perform in this matter. ! believe that
II will consist In bringing even more
closely n fully home to the people OF
hrs country an appreciation OF the facts
concerning national defence and OF the
Immediate pressing necessity for action.
A very general appreciation OF the neces-
sity has developed during the las, year,
but IL has not yet reached all OF the peo-
pie OF this c~ountry-and 1t must.
And think. too. your duty will con-
sist in part in bringing home 20 our Rep
res natives In the Congress OF the United
States the fact that the people OF this
nation are not OF two minds but demand
that they shall now be made secure for
all time against the possibility OF success
full attack upon their security or the
breaking down of the great Institutions
of free Government that nave been bull
up here"
Cornelius Vanderbilt, chairman OF the
executive committee. then took charge oi
the meeting ami organization was eff
fected by naming Gordon Ireland as sec,
rotary and Lewis l.. clark. president o.
the American Exchange National Bank
as treasurr r. II WAS announced tina
John Mitchell OF the State Industrial
Commission and Sheriff elect Alfred l.
Smith had been named as additiona
members OF the executive committee.
II nIy 4. Wise Wood, a member o
the advisory board appointed by Sece
tary OF the Navy Daniels. started a roun'
OF laughter by saying that he was afrait
10 invest any money in real estate II
New York city. but he asserted he wa
r. riou- and told OF Il friend OF his Il
Seattle who Is so concerned over IN
possibility OF a Japanese invasion tina
he mas paid $1,000 a year for tie las
five years as Insurance on his newspape
|, plant against destruction during
, apanes. attack. Mr.. Wood reviewed IN
= experiences OF this country In previou
wars. showing how unpreparedness ha
resulted IN extraordinary losses OF III
and property. lie said the ountr
= ought to start preparing by raising fror
5000 to 10000 regular troops an
that there should be 100000 With
seven or eight years.
The Revolutions.
The resolutions adopted were offere
: by Martin W. Llttleton Il seconded
|, Henry l.. Stimson. former Secretary
, War. They begin with the preamble
tho Constitution OF the United Stat
and with a quotation from the secor
inaugural address OF President Was
: ington. The resolutions are as follows
'Flrst-That we pledge ourselves
: support the President OF the Unit
States and the Congress in their G
K forts to provide for the common d
!, fence through an adequate increase
the forces OF tho army and navy.
| "Seoond-We pledge ourselves to c
operate with all organizations and ass
Citations having for their object the col
pletion and perfection OF All adequa
navy and "A sufficient army.
y ~'"Third-That we urge upon 9th
| tll4tb anu lbillNAltiAhA' aiN' $50 ~
zens to organize associations and col
q mittees having these common obJeI
in view and we pledge ourselves TO {
= operate with them In any manner Whit
: n the Judgment of all, will more SURE
attain the ends which we have ht
set out.
'Fourth-That We hereby empow
and instruct the executive committee
this association of citizens TO commu
cato with other associations now In 1
istence or which may be formed he
after to the end that such associate
may be convened at u suitable time a
place for IA larger and nlore effect
organization"
II is the hope of members OF
committee that the suggestion contain
In the final resolution will meet "
hearty response throughout the count
The Idea Of IA national gathering OF n
re%sentatives OF preparedness organ
lions came from several cities VIII
took up Mayor Mitchel's idea and
pointed committees Of their own
his address yesterday the Mayor
claimed any political purpose for
ommitte named by him