New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-17
ASKS5,OOO WOMEN
TO URGE DEFENCE
Head of Preparedness
Campaign Plans to Can
vass New York Voters.

"The real spirit Of New York is in
favor of national defence"
With this as its slogan the Women's
Defence Committee yesterday in the
national headquarters Of the Special
Relief Society, 597 Fifth Avenue, took
the first steps in movement for pre-
paredness. During the next two weeks
they exuect 20 spread the national de-
fence" seed through all New York.
until on December / the names Of
thousands of voters on petition slips
shall stand as proof Of the fact that
the city leads among those who want
bigger army and navy.
preparedness means peace. and we
believe that adequate defences will pre-
serve it. When such an issue as peace
is before the country II IS high time
for women TO wake. cup and use their
influence" said Mrs. Charles Van
Rensselaer,, spokesman for the commit
tee, yesterday. Mira. Van Rensselaer,
added that she expected at least 5000
women 10 join in the campaign.
Mrs. William c. Potter, chairman;
Mrs. Charles Van Rensselaer,, Mrs.
Dudley Tavis and Miss Cornelia Knox
are the members of the Defence Day
Committee.
"Early in the fall, while we were
hard at work sending relief 70 the Tor,
eigu countries, we suddenly reahzec
the deploIable condition OF our own de-
fences" explained Mrs. Van Kensse-
laer. ave began 70 devote our atten-
ton 20 relief at home. Our Red Gross
supplies, which formerly went abroad,
are being used at home now. Our cam
paien for national defence is made TO
back up the Presidents policy of pre-
paredness."
Plans for the canvass of the city
have already been completed. Several
of the men who were at Plattsburg
have volunteered to be captains of sta
tions.
Mrs. William c. Potter. chairman Of
the New York Defence Day Committee
of the Special Relief Society, yesterday
announced the plan Of campaign Tor Sc
curing voters signatures on December
] in favor of better national defence.
at IS the plan Of the Defence Day
committee to divide the Island of Man
haitian into districts" she said. IN
each district there Will be captain, a
lieutenant and q district station.
"To make the canvass thorough the
committee has requested the cO-opera-
ton Of all the defence leagues. includ-
ing the Aero Club of America, the
American Legion, the American Defence
Society. the National Security League,
the Automobile Club of America, the
Red Cross. the Navy League, the Army
League, the Conference Committee on
Preparedness and the Plattsburg Camp
Men and their wives, and the Mayor
Committee of One Thousand"
- ave prefer women canvassers with
men captains" said Mrs. Van Rensse-
laer Yesterday. 1--WE women who are
doing this work believe that the real
way 70 maintain peace is TO be thor
oughly defended. We want TO impress
Congress with the real spirit Of New
York. which we believe is in favor OF
national defence
The first move Of the campaign was
made yesterday, when sandwich men
were put on Fifth Avenue bearing signs
which read:
tiers 10 carry 90 campaign for national prepared
ness il the Clty o.; New YORK. Workers Vii Do
asked 70 assist 81 can'a'srg ne cy Tor sigma
send names 20 special Relief society national
headQuar.ers. 59' ii,n Avenue
"The Vitagraph Theatre is TO run a
sign for Us, calling attention 70 our
need for volunteers, Mrs. Van "ensse-
laer added I'VE hope that other mo-
ton picture companies will prefer their
help also"
The defence committee wishes it un-
derstood that its campaign for pre-
paredness Is altogether separate WORK
from that Of the Special Relief Society.