Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-02
NAVY LEAGUE TRYING
TOPREPARE FOR WAR
Ask Daughters Of American
Revolution to
Join.
WANT A GOOD FORCE
Preparedness for War Best
Means Of Preserving
Peace.


Daughters Of the American Revolu-
tion, when approached by Navy
league representative who asked the
Daughters position in relation to the
questions of national defense, replied
that they were neutral, but in case
of war, as a patriotic society, would
cooperate with the government"
1t was inferred that the propaganda
of the ultra -pacificists and disarma-
ment advocates had led this great
patriotic society to take noncom-
initial attitude in relation TO the
strengthening of the army and navy.
The Navy league. therefore. addressed
the following letter to the organiza-
ton:
at has been suggested to the Navy
league leaders that the Daughters OF
the American Revolution the largest
patriotic society Of America, would
be glad to consider sharing in the
patriotic work of interesting the
American people in the needs of the
army and the navy. AS believers in
the peace of righteousness, you doubt
less share the conviction of the vast
majority of American people that
Washingtons words, TO be prepared
for war is one of the most effectual
means of preserving peace, are as
true today as they were in the days
of '76.
"Of course, in the crisis of war,
your splendid organization would do
what you could to alleviate suffering
and support just cause, but such
cooperation coming at that time
would be almost worthless, for
would come too late. If war threatens
the United States five, ten or fifteen
years from now (and God forbid),
now is the time to prepare for that
war. 1t takes three years to build a
dreadnought and many years to make
efficient naval officers and seamen;
1t takes several months to make
14-inch gun, and from three to five
years to make an efficient seaman
gunner. 1t takes years to train eff
ficient army officers and soldiers, and
years to build Notifications, artillery
and siege guns.
"Ex-President Taft, Vice President
Marshall, eX-Ambassador Joseph II.
Choate, the secretary of war and the
secretary of the navy, ex-Secretary
Meyer, Congressman Gardner and
Congressman Mann have recently an
nounced their sincere convictions that
world conditions and the cause OF
peace demand the immediate
These men have the same patriotic
impulses and motives as had the
patriots of the American revolution,
Washington, Warren, John Paul
Jones and John Barry, and others.
Tories and loyalists were many Of
them doubtless good men, but they
were not patriots; the men in con-
gresa. who six months before the
civil war; tried to abolish the navy
and actually succeeded in practically
bringing about disarmament, We're
doubtless good men, but they were
not patriots. The ultra -paclficsts of
today, who are calling for disarma-
ment, are likewise good men, but
they can hardly be called patriots.
The fact of 1t Is, the secretary OF war
and the secretary of the navy can
not put through their plans for the
needed and proper Strengthening of
the army and navy unless the masses
of the people and the Daughters of
the American Revolution give them
their active support
1T has been said that the army's
efficiency could be increased so per
cent with a saving of 80 per cent II
the consolidation OF army posts, doing
away with political posts, could be
brought about. This needed reform
will not be brought about by act of
congress until the people Of the coun-
tfy study the needs Of the army and
give needed support to the recon-
mendations of secretaries OF war and
the general staff of the army. SINH
lar economies can be effected in the
navy with view to increased
strength and efficiency. but Will not
be brought about until the American
people as q whole give the matter
their consideration.
1T is a great thing to honor the
heroes of the American revolution,
but men of the type of Admiral
equally deserving of immediate pa
triotic recognition. The recognition
that they desire Is not monuments
and tablets, but the earnest consd-
Grafton of the entire American peo-
pie of their recommendations for In
creased strength and efficiency Of the
army and navy. SO that the United
States may be in a position to keep
from her shores any possible military
opponent and to defend American
policies in the Western Hemisphere.
THE definite object i'm writing to
you is to suggest that the various
chapters of your organization take up
the study of national defense and the
needs of the army and the navy; and
secondly to suggest that should any
of your chapters desire to have
SptdheIb appcdi peioit tueIl to tdih
on the needs of national defense, the
league will, in many instances, be
able to provide such speakers. Among
our speakers are many prominent
men.
THE Navy league is not society
for the promotion of war, but So
ciety for the promotion Of peace, and
in endeavorins to interest the Daugh-
ters Of the American Revolution in
the problems of national defense, our
only object is the peace and welfare
OF our beloved republic and the cause
Of self-government In the Western
Hemisphere. for which the United
States has the largest degree Of re-
sponsibility."
To Care for Crippled Indians.