The Washington herald., 1915-12-20
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can learn throughout the country. it is
not felt that the Secretary has provided
the method of proper protection, II being
pointed out that his plan for fve-year
program meets with the objection. That
the shipS which he has recommended as
necessary for our efficient protection can
not be built until the expiration OF ten
years.
The National Secretary League intends
to hold n great congress in Washington
to which the prominent thinkers on the
question OF national defense will be in
yited. and We are anxious that the public
should understand the broad approach
that is being made by the league in order
that the public may fully understand the
nature of our military necessities. Many
eminent men in all walks OF life have al
ready indicated desire to attend this
congress.
After conference with Chairman
Chamberlain and Chairman Hay. of the
Military Committees. Gen. a. Il. Critch-
field. of Ohio. declared that if Congress
will pass the necessary legislation the
National Guard will he brought up to
strength of 2Io.Ca. II also should have
reserve of 5000 which would give the
country through the National Guard
about a half million trained soldiers.
Those who participated in the confer
ences with the Military Committee chair
men besides Gen Critchfield were: Gen.
W. = Sadler. tr.. New Jersey: Gen. f. r,
Sweetser. Massachusetts: Gen. g. G.
Vaughn. ir.. Virginia: Gen. Lawrence
Young. North Carolina; Gen. Lee s. TIL
lotson. Vermont; Gen. Albert J. Logan.
Pennsylvania: Gen. Thomas J. Stewart.
Pennsy ivania: Col. George Albert Win
gate. New York, and Col Robert Leedy.
Virginia.
The officers compose committee which
is authorized to represent the National
Guard OF the country. and as a result Of
the meeting many of the essential fea-
lures of the legislation for the increase
Of the efficiency and strength Of the Ma
tionaI Guard were agreed to.
THE National Guard said General
/, Critchfield. in discussing the conferences,
lis not attempting to Interfere with any
OF the recommendations of the War De-
partment We discussed nothing except
ing legislation pertaining 10 the National
Guard. Neither did We attempt TO write
a bill for the committee.
What We are asking for is legisla-
ton which will make il possible for us
70 maintain the National Guard as or
ganizcd, well equipped and well trained
force ready for service. We wish to avoid
the necessity of reorsanizing the National
Guard after war has been declared. We
want the National Guard to be ready to
take the field imediately upon the dec
laration of war. To do this IL would be
necessary to train officers and men for
service in war, and in our opinion this
cannot be done without providing pay
for the members Of the National Guard,
1T is the opinion of those who have had
long service In the National Guard that
IL Congress viii provide the necessary
funds the National Guard can be brought
UP to a strength Of a5o,0cO with the colors
and $4,000 in reserve. In addition to Fed
eral pay for the guard there should be
appropriations for longer terms of field
service. For years officers of the Ma
tional Guard have realized that they have
not had sufficient field service and this
part Of the legislation is as important
as the passage OF pay bill. II Congress
will provide sufficient funds and pass the
necessary legislation the National Guard
will in time give the country half mil
lion trained citizen soldiers"
Even before the Secretary Of War