West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-11-11
PRESIDENT OUTLINES HIS
NATIONAL DEFENSE PL AN

own force is. how far we are prepar-
ed TO maintain ourselves against any
Interference with our national action
or development.
In no mans mind. | am sure. is
there even raised the question OF the
wiltul use OF force on our part against
J any nation or any people No matter
/ what military or naval force the Uni
ted States might develop. statesmen
throughout the world might rest as
sured that we were gathering that
force, not for attack i'm any quarter.
not for aggression of any kind. not for
the satisfaction OF any political or
international ambition. but merely to
make sure of our own security. We
laVe II i'm mind to be prepared. but
lot for war. but only for defense: and
With the thought constantly i'm our
minds that the principles we hold
most dear can be achieved by the slow
processes of history only in the kind
y and wholesome atmosphere of
peace, and not by the use of hostile
orce. The mission OF America i'm the
world is essentially a mission OF peace
ma good will among men She has
become the home and asylum of men
)f all creeds and races. Within her
lospitable borders they have found
ZONES and congenial associations and
reedom and wide and cordial well
,ome, and they have become part of
The bone and sinew and spirit of
America itself. America has been
made up out of the nations of the
world and is the friend of the nations
)f the world
But we feel justified i'm preparing
ourselves To vindicate our rights to
Independent and unmolested action by
making the force that is i'm us ready
FOR assertion
And we know that we can do this
IN way that will be itself an illus
tration of the American spirit. In
accordance with our American tradi-
tions we want and shall work for on
ly an army adequate to the constant
and legitimate uses OF times of inter
national pace. But we do want to feel
that there is a great body OF citizens
who have received at least the most
rudimentary and necessary forms OF
military training; that they will be
ready to form themselves into a fight
ing force at the call OF the nation:
hn fHa l.
and supplies with which to euuip
them without delay should IL be nee
essary TO call them into action. We
wish to supply them with the train
ing they need, and we think we can
do so without calling them at any
time too long away from their civil
lian pursuits.
1t is with this idea, with this con-
ception, In mind that the plans have
been made which II will be my privi-
lege to lay before the Congress at it's
next session. That plan calls for
only such an increase i'm the regular
army of the United States as expert
ence has proved TO be required for the
performance of the necessary duties
OF tn army in the Philippines, i'm Ha-
waii. in Porto Rico, upon the borders
OF the United States. at the coast for
tifcations. and at the military posts
of the interior. For the rest. IL calls
for the training within the next three
years of a force OF 100000 citizen sol
fn ha
gents of $4,000, who would be asked
to enlist for three years with the col
ors and three years on furlough, but
who during their three years of en-
listment with the colors would not be
organized as standing force but
would be expected merely to undergo
intensive training for very brief per
iod of each year. Their training would
take place in immediate association
with the organized units Of the regu-
lar army. IL would have no touch
OF the amateur about H. neither would
II exact of the volunteers more than
they could give i'm any one year from
their civilian pursuits.
And none Of this would be done I'm
such way as i'm the slightest degree
to supersede or subordinate our pres
ent serviceabl and efficient National
Guard. On the contrary, the National
Guard itslf would be used as part OF
the instrumentality by which training
would be given the citizens who en-
listed under the new conditions and
! should hope and expect that the leg
islation by which all this would be
accomplished would put the National
Guard itself upon a better and more
permanent footing than It has ever
been before, giving il not only the
recognition which II deserves. but a
more definite support from the nation
al government and more definite CON
nection with the military organiza-
tion Of the nation.
What we all wish 20 accomplish IS
that the forces OF the nation should
indeed be part OF the nation and not
separate professional force and the
chief cost Of the system would not be
In the enlistment or I'm the training
Of the men, but in the providing OF
ample equipment I'm case Il should be
necessary to call all forces into the
field.
Moreover, Il has been American
policy time out Of mind to look to the
navy as the first and chief line OF de-
fense. The navy OF the United States
Is already a very great and efficient