The weekly soliphone., 1915-10-15
WILSON WILL ASK
 BIG DEFENSE FUND
, Budget, As Outlined, Will Call for $17O,OOo, ,OOO For Army and SPAS, ,O00, ,000 For Navy.
(From St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Washington, Oct 14.-Four hum dred million dollars for national de- fense-an increase of approximate ly $14O,00O,OOO over last year constitutes the amount which Pres ident Wilson and his advisers at present estimate should be appro- priated by the next congress for the army and navy.
 AS the date-Friday-for com pletion of the annual estimates draws near, the president is giving preliminary consideration to the national defense budget, out of which it is hoped to lay down a stronger naval program than the United States ever has authorized in its history, and similarly a larger provision for the military establish ment than has been customary in time of peace.
 The president has had before him for several weeks the outlines of a military policy of a continuing character framed by Secretary Gar rison, after more than years study with officers of the general staff. With it the president is in hearty accord. He regards it as a conser- vative, well balanced program. While the details have not been revealed a substantial increase in the regu- lar army probably from S7,000 to at least 120,000 men, and the ere ation of a reserve of perhaps 400,- 900 men through short-term enlist ment service of citizens interested in military training, are said to be parts of the plan.
 BIG INCREASES PLANNED.
 As yet the exact appropriation to be definitely recommended for the army and navy, respectively, has not been definitely fixed. Indica- tions are that the armys budget Of $11O,000,O00 last year will be in creased by at least $60,000,000. while Secretary Daniels is figuring on obtaining a $1OO,000, ,G00 increase over the navy appropriation of S14O,0O0,O00 of last year.
 When the president and the sec retaries of war and navy confer next week it is understood an effort will be made to bring the total sum within the 0,000,000 mark, as at present the combined total which the two branches of the service will submit to the president it is said, would make about $450, 0,000,000.
 If the needs of the two services can be cut to $40O,OO0.OOO the total increase over last year would be about S14O,O00,00O. The general view in administration quarters now is that a bond issue will be proposed as a means of meeting the added expense.
 INTEREST IN WILSON'S, VIEW.
 The presidents determination to urge upon congress in his next mes sage a defense program to cost about $400,O00,000 has been em- phasized in high official quarters in the last few days following Will sons recent speech, saying the Am erican people were convinced that the United States should be very adequately prepared, not for war, but for defense. Much interest IS manifest in the conference the pres ident intends having with members of congress, at which it is believed the procedure for the army and na- w bills will be discussed, Both will be made administration measures, and they probably will be given right of way over all legislation in the hope that several months time will be saved in construction work for the navy and strengthening Of the army.
 Chairman Hay of the house mili- tarv affairs committee will confer with the president today concerning the nlans for the army, and Monday Secretary Garrison is expected to return to Washington and begin series of talks with the president on the defense program.
 WILSON APPROVES PLAN.
 Secretary Daniels already has had an opportunity to get tho presidents ideas on naval appropriations. Dan iels said yesterday that both the president and Chairman Padgett of the house naval affairs committee seemed to approve of the idea or five-year naval-building program Detailed estimates of the amount to be expended each year have not been determined
 "We have been considering ana we intend to recommend to con gress a program for five years