New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-12
ASKS HALF BILLION
BONDS FOR NAVY
League Petitions Wilson
to Call Special Session
for Defence Issue.
PLATFORM DEMANDS
SECOND SEA RANK
Would Make United States Ger
many's Superior in
1916.

Aroused by the present crisis in in
ternational affairs. the Navy League Of
the United States has offered definite
suggestion to President Wilson for
bolstering the national defence.
Through it's executive committee, the
league voted yesterday 70 petition the
President to call an extra session Of
Congress for the authorization Of a
bond issue Of half a billion dollars,
the sum needed 70 provide the United
States with adequate means of naval
defence.
The Navy League is the oldest and
most powerful of national defence or
CARNATIONS. numbering among ITS di-
rectors and officers Dr. Lyman Abbott,
J. p. Morgan. Theodore Roosevelt, Car
dnal Gibbons and E!ihu Root.
After the executive committee had
consulted by long distance telephone
and telegraph many OF the officers who
could no. attend the meeting the fol
loving resolution was made public;
an view of the crisis in our foreign
relations. We. as representatives. OF the
Navy League Of the United states, OK
press our emphatic belief that Congress
that measures should be taken at once
to strengthen our national defence. Our
most pacific country should, because OF
it's supreme love Of peace, possess pre-
ponderant naval strength and adequate
military strength. A large bond issue
if necessary, $500, 100000 should be
authorized at once. These bonds would
be rapidly absorbed by the American
people for such a purpose. Equipped
with n mighty feet. American life and
American rights would be scrupulousiy
respected by all bClligerents. In sucp
case there would be no thought Of our
entering the war"
The resolution is signed by General
Horace VI. Porter, president; Robert NJ
Thompson. chairman of the executive
committee: Charles A. Fowler, John {
OLaughlin and Frank J. Symes.
During the meeting at which the rcso-
luton was adopted General Porter and
Mr.. Fowler were in the Union League
Club in this city and the remainder OF
the executive committee were IN the
Navy League Offices. in the Southern
Building, in Washington.
Since the outbreak Of the present
war there has been a growing desire
among league members 10 assume then
place in the van of the fight for ade
quate national defence. After the SINK
ing of the Lusitania and threats OF
international complications which TO-!
lowed this feeling crystallized into &C
ton.
As a preliminary step it was de
; cided to conduct an aggressive cam
paign for members in New York dur
ing the visit of the Atlantic fleet. Ralp'
B. Strassburger. a former Annapoll
graduate. chairman Of the New forI
membership committee. hopes that ter
thousand members will be added before
/ Admiral Fletchers fleet leaves mex
/ week
"Our organization is not war or
ganizatior," said Mr.. Strassburger yes
terday. at is an organization com
posed of business men, who have tn
biggest interest in the country becaus
they have, collectively, billions OF dol
lars worth of property interests. II
keep peace and to avoid the ruin an
destruction which has been visited Of
Europe they are united as they hav
never been united before. With tn
proposed half billion dollar appropria
lion we could build a fotilla Of TWEEN
tv-fye dreadnoughts and battle cruls
crs and still have half Of the none,
to spend on scout cruisers. Gestroyers
submarines and aeroplanes. Tn
American flag then would be respected
in the uttermost ends OF the earth
A. H. Dadnum. secretary Of the New
York membership committee. in com
menting on President Wilson's speecf
in Philadelphia, said yesterday: "Why
/ think it was humliating, that's all
Many persons have talked with to-ca!
feel the same way as | do