Evening star., 1915-06-08
NATIONAL DEFENSE
TO Be DISCUSSED
Conference Called to Meet in
Capital After G. A. R.
Encampment.
THOUSANDS INVITED
FROM ALL SECTIONS
State Governors, Legislators, Mem
bers of Congress and Others
May Come.

An announcement was made today
that the National Defense League has
called conference on national defense
to he held in this city October Al
next. Immediately following the Grand
Army of the Republic encampment.
while the conference will be held un
der the auspices of the league, 1t will
not only be convention of the league,
st is explained. but a gathering of rep
yesentative citizens from every state
In the Union. to consider measures 10
be taken to put the United States in
q military and naval position where
It will be able to maintain its dignity
and security throughout the world
Thousands Are Invited.
Letters of invitation to attend the
conference have been sent to the gov
ernors Of all the states. to members
of all state legislatures. all members
pf Congress, 5000 mayors of cities,
members of the 1000 commercial or
Eanizations. editors of the $500 daily
newspapers of the country, adjutants
general and officers of the National
Guard and the army and navy, com
mandins officers of camps of the
Grand Army of the Republic. United
Spanish War Veterans, Army and Navy
Union. Veterans of Foreign wars, officials
OF all patriotic organizations, the Boy
Scouts. the National Rifle Association,
Women'S patriotic organizations, mem
berss of the Navy League, the Army
League and other defense associations.
At the national defense conference
viii be considered just what should be
done by Congress, state legislatures.
commercial organizations and citizens
generally to better prepare the United
States for national defense.
Veterans May Participate.
large number of Grand Army
veterans who attend the encampment
arc expected to remain in Washington
to participate in the national defense
conference.
The speakers program will include
cabinet officers, governors, senators,
representatives and army and navy
officers. Representative Julius Kahn of
California, chairman of the league, and
Senator Robert F. Broussard of
Louisiana, vice chairman, will officiate
al the conference.
The committee to arrange the de-
tails of the conference is now being
organized by Col. D. L. Rice, publisher
of the National Tribune, and Winfield
Jones, secretary of the National De-
Tense League.
Was Founded in 1918.
Founded in Washington. February 2,
a913. on the suggestion of Winfield
Jones. The first members were Repre-
sentative Julius Kahn and Joseph R.
knowland. California, and Senators
John R. Thornton and Robert F.
eroussard of Louisiana. Representative
Kahn was chosen chairman. Senator
Broussard. vice chairman; Mr.. Jones,
Aecretary and Senators Thornton and
Broussard with others were elected di-
eectors. The officers and directors have
kerved continuously since tho organi-
kation of the league.
The board of directors includes Car
kon Taylor, Manila: Gen. Charles W.
Harris. Phoenix. Ariz.; Joseph R.
Enowland, former representative In
Congress, Alameda, Cal: Representa-
tive Julius Kahn, San Francisco Cal.
George H.. Carr, Des Moines. Iowa ;
Robert F. Broussard. T. S. senator, New
Iberia. La; Gen. Harvey C. Clark.
Nevada Mo: James T. Stanford, Great
Falls. Mont: John r. Thornton, former
L :. senator, Alexandria, La: Mai. D.
J. Donohue. Glendive. Mont: Harold
Revoise. Brooklyn, n. Y: Maurice Sim
mons. New York city; Gen. c. H Eng
lesby, Watertown. S. D.; Gen. o. C.
Guessaz, San Antonio, Tex: James H.
Biount. Macon. Ga; Winfield Jones.
Washington. d. c.: Wyche Greer, Ell
Paso. Tex: Gen. George H. Harries and
=. l.. Rice, Washington, D. c.
1t is pointed out that the league
strives TO strengthen all forces which
would make the country better pre-
cles, it abhors war and believes in uni
vefsal peace. but firmly believes that
preparation for national defense IS the
best guarantee Of peace