The Washington times., 1915-07-26
PRES|OENTMAYCALL
EXTRA SESSION ON
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Congress May Be Asked to As
sembIe on October !, It Is
Rumored.

President Wilson is giving serious
confederation to a call for an extra
session CT Congress to take up ma
tional defense.
Unless compelled to call this extra
session earlier. he is likely to have
Congress assemble on october 1.
The fact that an extra session Is
being considered by the President be-
came known here today. 1t added to
the already deep-seated feeling that
the Administration has come to tho
conclusion that the lowering clouds
in the international sky make It
necessary to take protective meas
ures. Yet It is possible that some
weeks hence the international situa-
tion will have SO far smoothed out
that the Administration will feel It
may be inadvisablc to call an extra
session.
Two Big Phases.
But one the whole. the probabilities
are the extra session will be called. The
President does not want sensationalisn
in connection with the movement for
legislation. But Democratic leaders
evidently are coming to the conclusion
something must be done to meet the
growing demands and the growing crit
icism.
Two big phases Of the preparedness
question will be up to Congress.
First-The plans to be put into law
to increase national defense;
second,How to raise the n.sor1S3ss money
whether BY bond issue ~. or, or Of
the War Department think 1t unlikely
that Secretary Of war Garrison will be
able to report on a detailed Pian t9r 3r
believed this viii depend on what the
President says about 1t.
Within ten days the President is
expected to confer with the Secre-
question Of overhauling the military
and naval systems. Conferences which
may result in a radically new policy
Of national preparedness.
Entirely without reference to inter-
national troubles. there can be no
question that the Administration and
its leaders have been impressed. even
Jared. by the military and naval sit
uation. And without reference TO
present diplomatic problems. Admin
gradual change Of heart on the army
and navy problem.
Quite regardless Of the influence of
Mr.. Bryan. President Wilson. in the
early part Of his Administration. dis
missed as uncalled for propositions to
increase the country's preparedness.
He has reversed his position. follow
ing the lessons the world has taught
In China and Belgium.
Opposition Expected.
Whether Congress will see things in
the same light that army and navy
chiefs. Administration leaders, and ap-
parently, the President. see them, Is
to be determined. There promises to be
tenacious opposition from the ultra
pacific members Of House 'and Senate.
Bryan's influence. 1t Is assumed, will
be against a program Of preparation.
1t would cause no surprise should he
lobby actively against such a program
But 1t Is believed that the majority in
both houses. If the Administration in
sists. will vote money literally both for
army and navy.
Just what recommendations are COM
are not known. They are. however. be-
known that both Secretary Garrison
and Secretary Daniels are prepared to
advise the President on short notice.
The Naval Program.
Certain phases of the program which
Secretary Daniels will advise are quite
we'll defined. He Is expected to urge
two or more superdreadnaughts. at
least two swift battle cruisers, large
number Of destroyers and auxiliaries.
anywhere from fifty to one hundred
submarines. a large number of aero
planes and hydro-aeroplanes, with a
big aeronautical base at some point,
probably Pensacola, and a large in
irease in personnel.
1t is not unlikely he will advise that
the capacity of Annapolis Naval
Academy be increased so that more
trained officers can be graduated.
The new board Of civilian inventors
should be officially recognized. accord
ing to many navy officials.
The army plans are less clearly de-.
fined Secretary Garrison and officers
under him have worked on them for
months. but 1t Is doubtful II the Sec
retary will advise as comprehensive a
program as his army advisers ask. In
any event a regular and national guard
establishment. it Is assumed. which
runs up to about q half million will
be urged. with provision for the evolu-
ton of a trained reserve. Big ad-
dltions to the material Of army and
navy will be sought