New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-03
General Gives Plan Warm
Endorsement, but Says
It Is Unofficial.
HINT DRIVES OFFICE
FROM ARMY BUILDING
League to Limit Armaments. in
Protest TO Washington,
DenounceS Idea.

Major General Leonard Wood has
come out in hearty. though unofficial
Endorsement OF the American Legion,
lie declares it would in time OF war
prove Of incalculablc military value. "
The American League 20 Limit Arm
alnents has wired protests to Presi-
dent Wilson and Lindley NJ. Garrison
Secretary % War. against the activity
of General Wood and Captain Johnston
oY behalf OF the legion, dcnouncinG
,hcir efforts rs "subvcrsivc OF the in
forests Of democracy and IN violation
o. the policy and tradition Of the
United States
The legion has shifted it's quarters
from the Army and Navy Building, in
Whitehall Street, to the Maritime
Building. across the way. "Evicted,
is opponents say; moving 10 more
commodious quarters according 10
Importers.
INQUIRIES. promises Of support and
letters of cordial Endorsement arc pour
ing i'm. according to Captain Johnston,
aid 70 General Wood. acting IN an ad-
y:sorv capacity TO the organization.
Only Advising. Says Wood.
Such we're Yesterdays developments.
Il want il distinctly unders TODD.
said General Wood, that the military
IS I'm no way concerned i'm the Organi-
cation. They have no connection with
Il. but that does not and should not
prevent their giving its members the
benefit Of their advice Such advice
would be given TO any one forming a
rife club. # asked for, or 10 any one
cise trying 70 benefit the country in a
military sense.
II heartily believe in the scheme. II
would be Of incalculable value in time
Of war. but ! want IL understood that
my Endorsement is purely personal and
unofficial. I want 10 say, too, that the
legion rs not ina any sense political
organization. Colonel Roosevelt's sup
rort Indicate no political connections
whatever
-. !. r. Isusnaun. secretary and
principal organizer OF the legion. said:
eft was p mistake for the newspaper
20 give the headquarters Of the legion
As the Army Building. We never
really occupied an Office there I mere
ly had some things sent there till | Sc
cured Offices. The fact that mail was
addressed 70 Us there made il appear
that we were really installed, whereas
we ouly had some Office fittings there.
Garrison Calls for Report.
Meantime the Secretary of War has
called upon General Wood to repor,
20 General Scott. chief of staff. all the
facts. including the occupancy Of army
property by civilian organization and
his own activity.
Colonel a. l.. Smith. quartcrmaster
AZ the Army Building. explained the
use of the rooms by the legion as due
% a Misunderstanding Of the civilian
nature of the organization. He said he
had received no orders from Washing
ton relative 10 the change.
The protest Of the League TO Limit
Armaments, which is signed, among
others. by Bishop David II. Greer, as
sails the activities Of officers Of the
army in organizing civilians and. At
tempting 10 influence public opinion in
regard TO The military forces OF the
country" u declares the issuance OF
the legion propaganda from recog-
nized army headquarters "Su6versivc
o. democracy and "conceives II the
duty Of Congress. not Of the army, 10
determine the increase or decrease Of
the military forces Of the country
Preachers Denounce Movement.
The Rev. William Picrson Merrill. OF
the Brick Presbyterian Church, sand W
statement issued last night:
ct is unfortunate to nave aLy aglta
ton Of the question of increased arma-