The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-14
NATIONAL DEFENSE PROMISES ID STIR FIGHT IN CONGRESS Unique Motion Picture to be Shown All Over the
 United States WHITES NEEDS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY Many Believe So-Called Peace Advo- cates Will Strenuously Resist Any
 thing Resembling Warlike
 Preparations

Washington. August 1S.-(Special0 There is a wide divergence of opinion as to the countrys preparedness for war. Even among military and naval experts there seems to be no agreement to the true situation. It is certain that the President is deeply concerned in asoer- taining as nearly as possible just what should be done: it is certain also that he proposes to make recommendations to Congress that programme be put through that will prepare the United States for a defense and maintenance of her rights. if they are abridged by an ether nation.
 The Presidents recommendations to Congress are sure to bring on another spectacular struggle in that body. While public sentiment all over the country is turning toward policy of national de- fense, nevertheless there Is strong party called by themselves the peace party which will oppose any programme which proposes material increases in the army and navy. Signs are plentiful at the ma tional capital that both sides are prepar- ing for this struggle which will decide the momentous question of whether or not the country will prepare itself to pro- tect and insure it's future. or if it will be content to let the future take care of itself, subject to the continued good will of more powerful nations
 Genuine Advocates of Peace | The advocates of preparedness contend | that they are the real and only genuine advocates of peace They declare that l if the country does not prepare for de- 1 fense, war is sure to come and that pre- paredness Is the only safe insurance l against it. To create public sentiment along these lines the advocates of pre-. paredness are conducting an open ai>~ frank propaganda for vastly bigger navy and army.
 A picture depicting America's defense | lessness against an enemy's attack en- 1 titled the Battle Cry of Peace, the story written by Commodore J. Stuart Black ton and the pictures made by the Vita graph company made it's initial appear ance at the National Press club ir Washington this week. It is proposed tc | exhibit this picture in every city, town and hamlet in the United States.
 The film story is punctuated with de cidedy startling assertions, such. for eN ample as the statement that America available mobile army is only twice a' strong, numerically, as New York city, police force. These statements are mad vivid by striking .illustrations immedi ately flashed on the screen as proof of thu printed words.
 Great stress is laid upon the lack O artillery, especially big guns, in thi | country our largest guns being 6-incf howitzers, while the European armies have g, 12 and 16-inch guns of this char acter comparison of our relative strength in equipment of this skind show! the United States as a mere dot on th' screen, while the lesser European power. loom large and overpowering.
 Vulnerability of Eastern Coast
 The picture also illustrates a lecture b,
 inventor, Maxim. in which he explains the ease with which the very vitals O American manufacture and commerce coudl be taken by any first class Euro pean power It is declared that NeV York and all New England. where arr located all our ammunition manufactur ing plants would be an easy prey to ar invader backed by a superior fleet New York could be demolished with the loni ranged guns of the enemy's ships, while they would be entirely out of range O. our coast defense guns as they are a present If such thing happened. 1t i' explained, a tribute could and doubtless would be levied upon New York and tho captured cities which would be stupen dous many hundreds Of times greate than the cost of an adequate defense fol the entire nation.
 The fight of the National Defens league is going to be for bond issue o at least $500, 1000, this money to be use' for the navy for the most part. but it i also proposed to increase the standing army to at least 250o0 men, and to mak adequate provisions for the state mili tia Just what opposition MT. Bryan an' those aligned with him will make agains ! this propostion or just how far tn 7 Presidents recommendations will go to ward meeting the hopes of the Nationa Defense league. remains to be seen. It | quite evident however, that the fgh : is on.
 c. F. s.