The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-05-14
Seeks Membership of One
Million Men for Definite
Military Program to Help
Nation.
NEW NATIONAL BOARD
To Prepare against War;
National Defense an Issue
at the Next Session of
Congress.

Better coast defenses, a definite
military and naval policy a budget
system for approaching money instead
Of the present Pork Barrel method
in congress, an effective mobile regu-
lar army. better government support
for the national guard, and the Gre
alton of an organized army and navy
reserve are among the platform planks
upon which The National Security
League is sending out an appeal for
the enrolment of first American
army Of one million volunteer work
ers.
Among the names which appear in
the membership Of this League for
national defense are Joseph H. Choate,
former ambassador to England, hon.
orary president; Alton E. Parker, hon
orary vice president; S. Stanwood
Menkin, president; former Secretary
OF War, Henry L. Stimson, chairman
of the army committee; J. Bernard
Walker. chairman Of the navy COM
mittee: Benjamin F. Tracy, former
secretary of the navy; Colonel William
G. Church editor of The Army and
Navy Journal
Explains Call.
In the call for volunteers the
league points out that until a salts
factory plan for disarmament has been
worked out and agreed upon by the
nations of the world the United States
must be adequately prepared to de-
fend itself against invasion, and also
that a military equipment sufficient
for this purpose can be had without
recourse to militarism." The league
was formed. continues the appeal, "as
a preparation not for war but against
war"
There are today according to the
lea que, but 80, 900 mobile troops in con-
tinental United States. and this small
force is short Of officers and ammu
milton. and equipment. 1t is distribut-
ed among 50 widely scattered points,
which would make it impossible to
mobilize quickly at any given point.
The National Guard, according to
the League, is far below it's paper
strength in men, equipment and eff
cheney.
Describes Navy.
In the report Of the naval commit
tee, our navy is described as "a peace
navy" inadequately manned, without
sufficient target practice. exceeded in
tonnage by Great Britain, France and
Germany, and, moreover, with many
of our ships obsolete There is need
of navy Of sufficient size" says the
committee, ito prevent the capture OF
our insular possessions, to guarantee
the neutrality Of the Panama Canal
and to prevent the landing OF hostile
force at any point upon our $1,000
miles of coast"
Among the standing committees be-
ing organized by the Leag que is a Peace
Committee. on which it is proposed to
invite representatives OF the church on
a non sectarian basis, to serve together
with men distinguished as publicists,
whose services will tend to disarm
those critics of the League who have
brought the accusation that the
League is organized for the promotion
of war
Ask All.
The call for volunteers and for pub
lie support is being sent out in the
form of an open letter addressed to
present and former members of the
cabinet. to members of congress, to
governors of our states and territories
to mayors, to chambers of commerce,
and boards Of trade, to merchants
associations, to university clubs and
alumni associations, to colleges and
universities. to patriotic organizations,
to all womens clubs and to all Ameri
can citizens in general.
1t is the present plan Of the league
to make national defense an issue at
the coming session of congress. With
this program in view. branches are be-
ing organized all over the country
especially in the districts Of oprost-
ion. Steps have already been taken
for branches in nearly 200 prominent
cities.
All those interested in the work of
the league are invited to send their
names and money contributions to the
National Security League. 81 Pine
Street New York City