Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-24
Writes to Heads of War and
Navy Departments for Re-
ports on Subject.
WILL TAKE UP QUESTION
ON RETURN TO THIS CITY
Executive Hopes to Lay Plans for
Permanent q. S. Policy-0hicers
Are Gratified.

Formal announcement was
made at the White House today
that President Wilson on his re-
turn to Washington will confer
with Secretaries Garrison and
Daniels on program for national
defense. The President has writ
ten to the heads of the War and
Navy departments for reports on
the subject, pointing out the ne
cessity for working out plans for
increasing the efficiency Of the
military arms of the government.
The White House statement fol-
lows:
"The President has been con-
sidering every phase of the matter
of national defense. and intends
Immediately on his return to
Washington to confer with the
Secretary of War and the Secre-
tay of the Navy, his purpose
being to procure information on
which he can formulate a sane,
reasonable and practical program
of national defense"
Preparing for Emergency.
Although nothing was stated Official
ly concerning the purpose of the gov
ernment, it was hinted officially that
with the dispatch of the emphatic note
to Germany the President had decided
to hasten the reports and recommenda-
tions beieng prepared by the War and
! Navy departments for the regular ses-
sion of Congress. SO that all necessary
! information might be available if
emergency arose.
AS yet there are no intimations that
! the President has fixed any definite
time for submitting the program of
national defense to Congress, but his
purpose is said to be to map out COM
prehensive plans SO that no time will
be lost should he decide to call a spe-
cial session.
President Wilson, himself, already
has collected much data on the sub
ject. Secretary Garrison has been at
work steadily with members of the
army general staff for several weeks
planning general military policy. The
navy also has been occupied in secret
with emergency preparations.
Permanent National Policy.
The delicacy Of international affairs
brought these facts to light and Off
cials admitted today that for the next
few weeks the question of national de-
tense will be a foremost one. The
President hopes to lay foundations for
permanent national policy. particular
ly for the army. Details of reserve
system being planned are withheld, but
1t is said the aim of the general staff
is to create reserve army of at least
10000 men and possibly more. In
creases are planned in the regular army
posts at Hawaii. the Philippines and
| the Panama Canal Zone, with mate
rial increase of the forces in conti-
In the navy, work Ia proceeding
steadily on the perfection of the sub
marine and the aeroplane. Attention
I has been concentrated on putting the
efficient. Although the navy general
board has not completed it's plans, it
is understood authoritatively that at
least thirty submarines and possibly
fifty will be asked of Congress when
| the reports are submitted. Work on
ships now building 10 to be rushed.
Officers Are Gratided.
Omcers in the army and navy mani
| tested much satisfaction today at the
decision OF the administration not to
| wait for the regular session of Con-
| gress, but to inquire Immediately into
| the needs of the two branches of the
service.
| The President wants nothing to dis
| turb conditions in the navy yards and,
| at his direction Secretary Tumulty has
informed employees of the Washington
| yard that the President will confer
| with them on their wage scale demands
| as soon he returns from Cornish.
J The machinists seek restoration of the
wage scale discontinued July /.
The President will study the subject of
preparedness during his stay at Cor
nish. N. H.. so that when he returns
| here he may be prepared to discuss it
| finally with his advisers
Practical advice concerning national
defense from every available profess
sional source is being sought. The
best minds Of the military branches
of the government have been at work
on these matters for some time.
Men of the army and navy who have
been most directly in touch with con-
ditions of defense that have been
evolved out of modern experiences
have been called upon for their views.
Ihe PRESIDENT not only WlSneS ADVICE
| from those who have knowledge of ac-
| tual conditions of warfare existing in
Europe today. but he is seeking light
from those who are able to under
stand and comprehend all possible
phases Of altered conditions on both
land and sea.
He particularly wishes the navy tc
stand upon equality with the most eff
hcient and serviceable fighting sea
force maintained by any power, es-
, psciaaly In the matter Of submarinsA