Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-01
FORMATION Of A FORCE
FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
Organization of Reserves Announced.
Approved by Gen. Wood and
Col. Roosevelt.

NEW YORK. March 1.-Formai an
nouncement was made here last night
of the formation of an organization Oh
first reserves, to he known as the
American Legion. and to he composed
Of former army. navy and militia men.
which will better insure the nation $
preparedness in case of war. capt
Gordon Johnston. aid camp to MAI
Gen. Leonard Wood. commanding the
Department of the East, made the an
nounceinent on behalf of group OF
army and navy men who. i'll an un-
official capacity. are acting with
civilians iii promoting the movement
Capt. Johnston said that it is planned
to establish within q short time d first
reserve of between $4,000 and 3no.o"o
former army and navy militiamen for
instant call in case of emergency.
Maj. Gen. Wood has already given
the plan his unofficial Endorsement. and
former President Roosevelt has writ
ten a letter approving the proposal.
Numerous other public men have in
dorsed the project. and a statement by
the promoters says that former Secrc-
tarieS of War and of the Navy have in
dicated their Willingness to act iii an
advisory capacity.
Roosevelt and Sons to Join.
Asserting that he and his four sons
will become members of the legion. Col.
Roosevelt III letter to the organizers
says that in the event of war he in
tends to ask Congress for permission
to raise a division of cavalry.
Col. Roosevelt says he will gladl!
serve as a chairman OF the legion
board of honorary advisers. and hopes
that the legion will accomplish its
Tor. he says:
1t is idle for us to trust to arbitr;i-
ton and neutrality treaties unbacked
by force. Let US act justly toward
others and let us also be prepared with
stout heart and strong hand to de-
fend our rights against injustice from
others.
Statement of Aims.
In a formal statement of the aims
and objects of the legion given out to-
night by Capt. Johnston and his asso-
ciates it is said that the legion now
being Incorporated under the laws of
New York state plans to enroll in its
membership FIRST. all men who have
had army and naval training and are
therefore equipped for instant service.
But the legion seeks to enroll patriotic
citizens generally. especially those who
have been unable to serve in the army.
navy or organized militia in time OF
peace, but whose special qualifications
make them Immediately valuable.
The integrity and value Of the Amer
lean Legion is guaranteed by the char
acter of the prominent men who Will
stand sponsor for it,, says the state
ment. 1T has already received the UNI
official Endorsement of Maj. Gen. Leon
ard Wood, the strong approval of for
mer President Roosevelt and OF nu-
merous other men of national promi-
hence. and while the personnel of ito
executive committee and board of hon
orary advisers has not yet been finally
decided upon. ii can be stated in adj
vance that it will include several for
mer Secretaries OF the army or navy.
former United States senators, college
presidents. former governors. leading
newspaper men. magazine editors. etc
Preparation for Emergency.
Declaring that the organizers of the
legion do not believe in militarism. but
want the country to be prepared for
any emergency. the statement con
tinues:
No one can be sure this country Will
not be dragged into the war. There
fore it is only common sense to pro-
vide against that ugly possibility. j
man may be pretty sure his house VIII
not burn. but he insures il. just the
same
In making public these announce
ments today Capt. Johnston was &C
companied by Commander r. *. Crank
of the local recruiting branch of the
United States Navy. DR. j. r. faus.-
man, a civilian. who will act as score
tary of the legion here, and Arthur ;.
Hoffman. also "a civilian, who are asso-
ciated with Capt. Johnston in the form
al organization work.
1t was explained by Capt. Johnston
that May Gen Wood had given the or
ganizers of the American Legion per-
mission to establish temporary head
quarters on Governors Island, which is
a government reservation and head
quarters of the Department OF the
East OF the United States Army.