Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-14
Z resident Will Ask
100000, 900 for
National Defense
To Urge Upon Congress
Military and Naodl
Policy of Continu-
ing Character.

WASuINGTON. October I3-Four
hundred million dollars for national
defensc-an increase of approximately
| amount President Wilson and his ad-
visers at present estimate should DO
appropriated by the next Congress for
the army and navy.
AS the date-Friday-for completion
of the annual estimates draws near tho
President is giving preliminary con-
sidcration to the national al-defcnse bud
get, out Of which it is hoped to lay
the United States ever has authorized
in it's history, and similarly 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 mill
tary policy of continuing character
framed by Secretary Garrison after
more than years study with officers
OF the general staff. With 1t the Presi-
dent is in hearty accord. While the de-
tails have not been revealed, n sub
stantial increase in the regular army,
probably from $1,000 to at least 100. 900
men, and the creation OF n reserve Of
perhaps 100000 through short-term en-
listment service are said to be parts of
tho army plan.
AS yet the exact appropriation to be
recommended for tho army and navy,
respectively. has not been fixed. Indi-
cations are that the army's budget OF
1nc ,,y11
by at least s6o.ooo.OoO. while Secretary
Daniels is figuring on obtaining a $780,
100000 increase over the navy appro-
priation OF s14s.ooo.o0o last year.
HOPE TO BRING TOTAL
| WITHIN S4OO,OOO,OOO MARK
When the President and the Secro-
taries of War and Navy confer next
week it is understood, an effort will
be made to bring the total sum within
the s4oo,00o.ooO mark, as at present the
combined total which the two branches
of the service will submit to tho Presf-
dent. it's said; would Tmake about
I $3.50. 100000 If the needs of the two
services can be cut to $500 0oo, 900, the
total increase over last year would be
about S14o,ooo.oo0. The general view
In administration quarters now is that
pond issue Will be proposed as a
means Of meeting the added expense
The Presidents determination to urge
| upon Congress in his next message n
| defense program to cost about $500
100000 has been emphasized in high
| o'hcial quarters in the last few days
Following Mr.. Wilson's recent speech
saying the American people were con-
Vinced that the United States should
lie very adequately prepared NOT for
war. bu' for defense
! Much interest is manifest In ,ha CON
/ foTcnces the President intends bovipr
! with members OF Congress. at which
II Is believed the procedure for the n, NV
ana navy bills Will be discussed. Both
/ VIII he given right OF way over all
| ieEislatio.- In the Hous. that savera,
| months time Will be saved for the con
| strucuon or the navy and for tho
strengthening OF the army.
| CHAIRMAN nay TO CONFER
| WITH PRESIDENT TODAY
! Chairman Hay. OF the House Military
Affairs Committee, will confer with the
| President tomorrow concerning tb,
| plans for the army. and Monday Sec
! rotary Garrison Is expected to bepiu ,
series II talks with the President on
thc defense program.
! secretary Daniels already has had an
! opportunity to get the Presidents ideas
| on naval appropriations. Mr.. Daniels
! SAID to-day that both the President
and Chairman Padgctt, OF the IIouse
| Naval Affairs Committee, seemed 70 an
| prove the idea OF ave-year naval
| building program. Detailed estimates
OF the amount to be expended each
year have not been determined
we nave been considering and We
. 70,
program for five years." said the secre-
! tary. or course. no Congress can
bind another. but If Congress would an
propriate On the basis OF = five ven r
| building plan. we could 30 forward on
| construction more rapidly than former
! ly. believe Congress VIII do IT,"
me secretary added that in his con-
| ference with the general board the
| number OF ships of the battle cruiser
| ana 'readnought type TO be recon-
| mehded had not yet been decided He
| believes. however. more Dreadnourhts
than battle cruisers would be asked
FOR, and. while he declined to give
| hsures. intimattons in naval quarters
were that four capital lighting ships
would be recommended for the frst OF
the hVe years. three the second year
and enough thereafter to make a total
| OF between fifteen and twenty for tho
| entire period.
MUST HAVE LARGER
| SUPPLIES OF AMMUNITION
Il believe the European war has
shown u.s." said Mr.. Daniels. "the great
value not only of aircraft, but of fast
| heavily armed vessels and scout
| cruisers. and tho Importance OF big
guns. Particularly. 1t has taught us
that we must have larger supplies OF
ammunition than Congress or the gem
eral board has heretofore provided"
The secretary believed that most of