Evening star., 1915-07-25
White House Announcement
That President Wants Pro.
gram to Start 1t.
MAY BE GREAT ISSUE
OF COMING CONGRESS
Army Likely to Seek $500, ,0oo, 900
and Navy Perhaps
$250,ooo,0oo.

There Is every indication that the
White House announcement that Presl-
dent Wilson has called for program
of national defense from Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels will precipitate
row over the old problem of the size OF
the army and navy. Certain 1t Is 10
provoke comment far and wide, and
the Importance of the question OF the
defense Of the whole country, with the
limelight thrown upon At just at this
moment, is quite likely to become one
of the great issues Of the coming Con-
gress
The matter was taken up at cabinet
meeting several weeks ago, and discus
sion ranged wide over the entire sub
ject. 1t Is reported that as result OF
that cabinet conference the army ana
navy began to make plans to meet any
emergency. It is also understood that
a permanent policy will be prepared
for presentation to Congress.
Nothing to Indicate Reason.
There was nothing in the statement
from the White House to Indicate a
reason for taking up the national oe-
fense question just now. 1t merely said
that the President would confer on his
return from Cornish. N. H., with Secre-
taries Garrison and Daniels Ito formu-
late a sane, reasonable and practlcai
program of national defense.
1t was indicated clearly. however, IN
official quarters that the determination
to expedite such plans as were oeing
made resulted from conslderatlon ot
the many possibilities OF tne present
in irrational situation.
The President. in letters to Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels. early last week.
calling for the reports, made I no reter. err
emphasized the Importance of the en-
tire subject of national defense: he
wishes to make the navy as efficient
to see the regular army adequately de-
veloped and equipped and the citlzenry
trained to arms IN way conslstent
with American traditions and Whlcn
will commend itself TO practlcdl anu
patriotic men.
For several weeks Secretary Garrison
has been in conference with members
Of the general staff, shaping plans sn ao aor
eral board of the navy abandoned its
usual trip to Newport for this summer
and Is preparing its recommendations
for Secretary Daniels. The presloehs dt
when he returns from Cornish, and the
Indications are that the entire influence
of the administration will be exerted
when Congress meets to secure appro-
prfations adequate to establish the
policy Of defense that will be formu-
lated.
Question Of Special Session.
Mr.. Wilson has not indicated whether
or not he will call Congress in special
session. This depends largely on de-
velopments in the international situa-
tion. The dispatch to Germany of what
Is generally regarded as the strong gest
note yet written to any of the Euro
pean belligerents has accentuated the
event that American rights are again
violated by German submarine COM
manders.
While there was widespread discus
sion yesterday of the administration 8
plans for the national defense, the pre-
vailing interest was in the probable
size of the appropriations to be asked.
Among army and navy officers who are
familiar with the latest developments
and who are enthusiastic over the back
ing which President Wilson Is giving
to the program as SO far developed the
belief prevailed that military budget
practically double that Of last year
would be presented. The army. it was
believed. would seek at least 5000. 0.000,-
900. and the navy perhaps as high as
s25o.00o.0o0.
War Department Plans.
War Department plans look toward
the development of a large reserve
army with a minimum, 1t is said, of
100000 men, and with adequate provi-
sion for the use of the militia and men
who have previously served in the
regular army.
Weekly meetings are being held by
the board designated by Secretary
Garrison to prepare plans for a gen.
eral reorganization of the army. Spe-
cial attention is being given, it IL un-
derstood. to planning for an adequate
tary material generally.
The Navy Department. 1t has been
indicated, will ask for at least thirty
and probably fifty additional subma-
rines The general boards recon-
mendations are also expected to in
clude q number of battle cruisers, a
minimum of four dreadnaughts and a
proportionate number of scout cruisers
and auxiliary craft, such as fuel ships
and submarine tenders.
"The department is deeply engaged in
experiments with aeroplanes and sub
marines. and also with attempts to fnd
a practical means of defense for bat
tleships against torpedoes. Tho ex-
perts It is said. are spending 500, 900
ON this last problem alone.