South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-09
POLITICS MUST
NOT Be INCLUDED
Republicans to Aid Prepared
ness Plan en- One
Condition.

W Ash INtrlDNt Dec. =. - sen.
GaIHnger. minority leader OF the
senate, told Pres't Wilson Wednes-
day that the republicans would sup
port his preparedness program in
all its essential features. If he keeps
it out OF politics.
The conference between the presi-
dent and the repL Dlican senate cad
or was frank and cordial After il
was over Mr. Gallinger said the
president had told him he had not
at any time considered the question
Of preparedness from a partisan
point Of view. and that he would not
approve Of its being taken up for
caucus action in either house Of con-
grcss.
Il told the president" said Sen.
Gallinger. there was not such a
wide margin of difference between
himself and the republicans since he
had changed his attitude and has
stopped regarding the question Of
preparedness as academic and those
who urge it as alarmists.
To Urge Amendments.
Il told him that 1 should feel free
10 urge such amendments as
thought proper. 10 is my purpose to
night as energetically as I can for a
greater number Of battle cruisers
and more submarines. ] approve
the building OF two battleships, at
least. each year for the next five
years. but personally l would rather
have three each year
81 do not think the president has
laid enough stress on the need Of
battle cruisers. The lessons OF the
European war are that these are the
most valuable Of all big fighting ma
chimes Only the battle cruisers
have been in action in any Of the
real naval engagements of this war
! do not include the coast engage
ments, where the allied fleets have
merely aided the land forces in sheu-
ing their enemies. but the actual sea
nshting should be done by the fleet
battle cruisers. and of these types
we have not a single ship.
National issue.
The question of increasing our
national defense is a national issue
and in no sense partisan or sec
tional. Republicans are ready to
meets the democrats half way. and /
feel sure that n adequate program
can be authorized if we look at the
subject broadly and solely from the
standpoint Of the nations needs"
Sen. Gallinger said he believed
Sec'y Garrison's plan for a CONT
mental army would create friction
with the national guard. lie ex-
pressed some doubt of the militia
plan developing a sufficiently ade-
quate reserve. but said it should not
lie condemned without being tested.
He said he would urge a regular
standing army Of at least 141.OOO
men as recommended by the secre-
tary of war. although his personal
preference was for one around 2O0,-
GEO.
The New Hampshire senator will
propose a bond issue as a means Of
raising revenue for this program.
The country, he said, is taxed enough
now. He especially opposes the pro-
posed taxes on automobiles, gasO-
line, pig iron and fabricated iron
and steel.
Sen. Chamberlain and Rep. Hay.
chairmen of the military committee
of the two houses, said they would
not introduce the army bills until
they had been considered by the full
committee. This precautiOn is taken
so the republican members may not
feel that an effort is beisg made
TO force themselves through. Mi
nority Leader Mann of the house
will confer with the president Thurs
Iar