The Washington herald., 1915-03-07
a Cyclone Epoch.

eve are living in a cyclone epoch and
history is being made faster than the
newspapers can record il. IL would he
a national crime to ignore the facts of
the world war and the possibilities that
tine United States may sooner or later
be involved. IN spite of our desire and
determine ton 10 keep out of il.
The Security League proposes to
recognize these facts and do fits share in
rousing the country to the significance of
what the facts may mean TO the United
States The league has been organized
by citizens who believe the United States
IS not adequately prepared for defense.
It favors an army and navy with citizen
reserves sufficient for the adequate pro-
lection Of the United States. II does not
bclieve i'll large standing army or in
any form of militarism Its chartered
purposes are to secure. through effeHtive
investigation, authoritative and conH lete
information in regard to tine condition,
organization and methods of administra-
ton of the national defense naval and
military; to ascertain what defects exist
therein. and what changes. improvements
and additions thereto are desirable to-
Gether with the probable cost thereof: to
bring to the attention "f the government
and of the people tn" facts so ascertain
cd with such recommendations as may
S'fIil plbi"I. alll To A'illS ABOUT Sufn
organization Of citizens throughout tn.
nation as may make practicable an in
teliCent expression Of public opinion
upon tn" aetna! military needs OF the
United States.
Our mission is highly patriotic and
n0npartisan. We believe in expert tcsti-
mony and think that the information
already produced both officially and from
other sources has justified the demand
for a national consideration of our mill
tary condition. I am pleased to note
that Congress is needing this national ap-
peal and that il is turning its attention
to the improvements suggested by the
experience If the European var. particu-
larry in increasing the Oruer for ad-
diti"ndl submarines and l believe that
Congress viii continue 10 respond to
every just demand of public sentiment.
It is a part of our mission 10 place be
hind those Obligated by the Constitution
of the United States to provide for the
national defense just the backing they
are entitled to and must have from the
nation I" Justify action on their part
"Th" league has Just issued its SECOND
document on the military needs of the
nited States. This report was prepared
by Henry l.. StimSon. former Secretary
of War. Mr.. StimSOn calmly reviews
the facts at hand from broad point of
view. and generally along the lines re-
comfy discussed hv Secretary Garrison
y" one can read this report without he
ing impressed with the facts set forth.
which completely Justify calling the at
t"ntion of the citizens of the Tinted
states to this subject. This report will
be followed by moro technical and sCicn-
tIhc reports prepared ny the leagues
army. navy. and militia committees. We
arc keeping constantly in our minds
what are the facts This is what the
public demands and is entitled to know
in broad. general way. OF course We
recognize and the public recognizes that
lens which il is not wise either To pub
liSh or discuss. In matters of this kind
We necessarily must trust tn" men di-
rcCtly in charge. But there are certain
broad features Of the problem which
max" it necessary to arouse the patriot
ism of the country the mon intrusted
with power may receive tn" hearty sup
port OF the nation in any emergency that
may arise
In addition to the leagues campaign
for membership and the distribution of
literature. we propose to conduct a ma
speaking campaign. and for
this purpose call for volunteers in
every State and city.
AT an early date the league will or
game strong branch IN Washington.
We have been repeatedly urged to do
this by many prominent citizens as we'll
as by men in public life, but we have
refrained from undertaking
the work while Congress was in session.
SO there might not be even a suspicion
Of our motives Now that Congress has
adjourned. we shall proceed to organize
a branch in Washington. The work OF
organization is well in hand from Boston |
10 San Francisco and New Orleans, and |
will be pushed without cessation"