Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-25
WILSON WILL AID
NATIONAL. DEFENSE.
Directs Heads of Army and Navy
to Prepare Adequate Pro-
gram for Congress.
READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY
Possibilities of Present Interna-
tional Situation Brings Ques-
ton to Forefront.

WASHiNGTON. July oi.-Announcc-
ment from the White House to-day
that President Wilson had directed
Secretaries Garrison and Daniels TO re-
port 10 him program for national de-
Tense caused widespread comment
II became known that several weeks
ago the President discussed the ques-
ton At length with his Cabinet. with
the Immediate result that both the War
and Navy Departments began secret
preparation Of plans TO meet any cmor-
gency. and also to establish perma-
ncnt policy 10 be presented to CONGRESS
for adequate national defense
The White House statement to-dAr
was as follows:
The President has been considering
every phase OF the matter Of national
defense, and intends Immediately on his
return to Wash;ogton to confer with
the Secretary of War and tho Sccre-
tary of tho Navy. his purpose being 10
procure Information on which he can
Formulate sane. reasonable and prac-
tical program Of national defense"
Although the White House state
ment gave no reason for the n .nouncc-
ment II WAS indicated clearly in Of
hcial quarters that the determination
to expedite such plans as were being
made resulted from a consideration Of
the many possibilities OF the present
international situation.
EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE
OF ENTIRE SUBJECT
The President, in letters TO Secrc-
taries Garrison and Daniels early last
week calling for the reports. made no
reference TO any particular situation,
but emphasized the Importance OF the
entire subject OF national defense He
wishes TO make the navy as efficient
and scrvceable as any in the world
to sec the regular army about equally
developed and equipped and the citi-
zenry trained TO arms in a way con-
ststent with American traditions, and
which will commend itself 10 practical
and patriotic men.
AS yet there are no intimations that
the President has fixed any definite
time for submitting the program of
national defense TO Congress. but his
purpose is said TO be 20 map out com :
prehens!ve plans. so that no time will
be lost should he decide to call spc-
cial session.
PRESIDENT COLLECTS MUCH
DATA on SUBJECT
President Wilson himself already has
collected much data on the subject.
Secretary Garrison has been at work
steadily with members Of the army
general staff for several weeks plan
ming a general military policy. The
navy also has been occupied In secret
with emergency Preparations
The dclicacy of International affairs
brought these facts TO light and Of
fcials admitted to-day that for the next
few weeks the question of national de-
tense Will be n foremost one The
President hopes to lay foundations for
permanent national policy. particu-
larly for the army. Details of a re-
serve system being planned are with
held, and il is said the aim of the
general staff Is TO create a reserve army
of at least 5000 men and. possibly
more. Increases are planned in the
regular army posts al Hawaii. the
philippines and the Panama Canal
Zone. with a material increase OF
forces in continental United States.
While there was widespread discus
sion of the plans. the prevailing in
terest was in the probable size of the
appropriation to be asked for Among
army and navy officials who are
WIN the latest ueNclopmcntS,
and who arc enthusiastic over the
backing which President Wilson is
giving to the program as so far de-
veloped. the belief prevailed that n
military budget practically double that
of last year would be presented The
army, 1t was said. would seek Mt least
S200,00O,O00 and the navy perhaps as
high as $3.50. O.O0O, 900
ron ,JJNISfIi1y rx,ryn
ARMY OF" 100000 MEN
The War Department plans look to-
ward the development of reserve
army with minimum, it is said. of
100000 men, and with adequate pro-
vision for the use of the militia and
men who have previously served in the
regular army.
The Navy Department. it has been
Indicated. will ask for at least thirty
and probably nifty additional srbma :
rlnes. The general boards recommcn-
dations are also expected to include a
number of battle cruisers, n minimum
Of four DreadnouGhts. and n propor-
tionate number of scout cruisers and
auxiliary craft such as fuel ships and
submarine tenders. The department is
deeply engaged in experiments with
aeroplanes and submarines and also
with attempts to find n practical means
Of defense for battleships against tor
pedoes.
Officers in the army and navy mani
tested much satisfaction to-day at the
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