The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1915-07-29
wilson WANTS navy
PRESIDENT TAKES UP our PRE-
PARATIONS FOR WAR
ARMY MUST Be ENLARGED

Secretaries Of War and Navy are Gall.
ed Upon to Report on the Subject
of National Defence - Wilson
Wishes Navy to Stand Equal With
Any Other Afloat.
President Wilson has called for re-
ports on the subject Of national de-
fence. These will be made to him
personally by the heads of the war
and navy departments. The fact that
this action had been taken became
known in Washington Saturday when
formal announcement was made at
the White House that President Will
son on his return to Washington will
confer with Secretaries Garrison and
Daniels on a program for national de-
fence.
The president has written to the
heads OF the war and navy depart
ments for reports on the subject,
pointing out the necessity for work
ing out plans for increasing the eff.
ficiency Of the military arms Of the
government. The White House state
ment follows:
''The president has been consider
ing every phase Of the matter Of ma
tional defence and intends immedi-
ately on his return to Washington to
confer with the Secretary of War
and the Secretary Of the Navy, his
purpose being to procure information
on which he can formulate a sane,
reaso La0le and practical program OF
national defence"
For the time being the president
feels that it is desirable to drop all
discussion of the controversy with
Germany, now that the object OF last
weeks visit to Washington has been
accomplished, and he Is turning to
questions Of permanent national pol
icy.
Practical advice concerning ma
tional defence from every available
professional source is being sought.
1t Is known, in fact, that the best
minds Of the military branches Of the
government have b en- at work on
these matters for some time.
Men Of the army and navy who
have been most directly in touch
with conditions Of defence that have
been evolved out of modern expert
ence, have been called upon for their
NiO"o. hS pl SoluShI uOI Ouly WISHES
advice from those who have knowl-
edge Of actual conditions of warfare
existing in Europe, to-day, but he Is
seeking light from those who are
able to understand and comprehend
all possible phases Of altered condi-
tions on both land and set
He particularly wishes the navy to
stand upon equality with the most
efficient and serviceable fighting sea
force maintained by any power.
AS to the army, 1t Is known here
that the president Is preparing to in
corporate in his next message to con-
gress definite program relating to
the development and equipment of
this branch Of the service. 1t will
provide plan for the proper military
training of citizens in every way con-
sistent with American traditions and
national policy, and which the presi-
dent believes will commend itself to
all patriotic and political mind.
Secretary Garrison has been at
work steadily with members of the
army general staff for several weeks
planning a general military policy.
The navy also has been occupied in
secret with emergency preparations.
The deficacy of international af-
fairs brought these facts to light and
officials admitted that for the next
few weeks the question of national
defence will be foremost one. The
president hopes to lay foundations
for permanent national policy par
ticularly for the army.
Details of a reserve system being
planned are withheld, and 1t is said
the aim of the general staff is to
create a reserve army of at least five
hundred thousand men and possibly
more. Increases are planned in the
regular army posts at Hawaii, the
Philippines and the Panama canal
zones, with a material increase of
the forces in continental United
States.
Army officers hold that ample
equipment Of field guns. rifles, ma
chine guns and heavy field ordnance
must be prepared in advance. 1t
takes time to make these and also to
manufacture big guL ammunition.
Field gun ammunition and small
arms cartridges can be made quickly.
1t Is said private plants to make
these lave increased many fold un-
der the stimulus of European con-
tracts. A year ago the government
owned fifty per cent. of the total
American capacity for this work. 1t
now is entimated that private plants
could make In a month as much as
government shops could turn out in
four months.
Among army and navy officers
familiar with the latest developments
the belief prevails thai military
budget practically twice that Of last
year will be presented to congress.
The army, 1t is believed, will seek at
lease two hundred million dollars
and the navy perhaps as high as two
hundred and fifty million dollars.
All Of official Washington Is puZ-
zled and pleased over the statement
made in behalf of President Wilson
that he would take up at once the
question of the military preparedness
Of the United States. There were
opinions that the apparent failure OF
the presidents plan in Mexico, at
least, up to date, demanded that the
navy be put in first class condition
and also opinions that the activity
was due to some indefinite European
complications.