New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-07
'PENROSE STANDS
FOR U. 5. DEFENCE
Finds Republicans and
Progressives United for
Preparedness.

From Til. Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec. 6.-Declaring that
the Republicans were united on pre-
paredness and that the Progressives,
fast returning TO the fold, were with
them, Boies Penrose, OF Pennsylvania,
insisted this afternoon, just after TAX
ing the oath for a fourth term as
United States Senator from Pennsyl-
vania, that the President would have
plenty Of votes 10 put through a FRA
tional, reasonable programme Of ma
tional defence"
Senator Penrose urged a standing
army of at least 100000 men, with a
strengthening Of the militia, to b.
brought about by paying its members.
He criticised the proposed continental
army, holding that the militia should
be the second line of defence after the
regular army.
81 am in favor of a rational, reason
able programme of national defence
and will gladly vote for such legisla-
ton" Senator Penrose said. "By pre-
paredness, | do not mean militarism.
But am sure the people of this coun-
try are almost unanimous in the opin-
ion that we should have an adequate
army and navy of sufficient strength to
protect US from any possible foe. I
I Ii har nj n "
of votes to put through such a pro-
gramme at this session of Congress.
"My own opinion is that we should
provide standing army of at least
250,0C0 men and as many more as the
military experts of the government
believe to be necessary. In addition,
, we should strengthen the national
guard of the various states and by en-
acting the militia pay bill and by other
means make service in the militia at
tractiye.
Continental Army Opposed.
81 am not sure that the proposed
continental army will be established,
for | find much opposition TO 1t from
rational guard sources. Many guards
men have written 10 me protesting
against this feature of the prepared
ness programme, and II seems 10 me
that the proposition as outlined ana
approved by the administration is I'M
fair 70 the national guard, many mem
beers of which have devoted years OF
service 10 the militia.
"For instance, why should the 1900
officers and men who compose the Ma
tional Guard of Pennsylvania be
Obliged TO take a back seat for this
continental army in the event of the
forces of this country being called to
the colors? Our guard Is efficient and
has been maintained for years as an
effective force always at the disposal
of the Federal government. If the oc-
casion should arise where the armed
forces Of this country are called into
service. then the national guard should
come next to the standing army and
its men should have the precedence
/ and prestige to which they naturally
! are entitled.
II have just finished a circuit Of
/ 10000 miles of travel throughout this
country with the Liberty Bell, and 1t
/ is my opinion that the people are
strongly in favor of Preparedness
programme of building up the armed
| strength of the nation. There can be
no partisanship in this question and
no party will be able to gain a politi-
cal advantage from it. 1t is a patriotic
question.
II have given some study 70 the
! question and my own opinion is that
the best way for us to proceed would be
after increasing our standing army -
the requisite size, TO provide for short
term enlistments-say one year-and
then provide for a reserve. MANY
young men would be glad to serve in
the army for year just TO be able TO
see the world at get the physical
benefits from such service. Then we
could keep them on the reserve list by
some concessions, such as a small
amount of pay, preference in civil ser
vice appointments, exemption from Jury
duty and by similar means. | believe
in this way we could soon have an
available force of more than half ]
million men.
Democrats Must Provide Costs.
"As TO how the expense of this in
crease in the army and navy is to be
met cannot say. That is for the Dem
oorats to determine. oerhaps they will
provide for a bond issue. Some pro-
vision must be made that is certain.
The Treasury is bankrupt, no mattef
b,,,. a. ,pt