The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1915-09-02
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M|N|S1T&i1|ON
OPEN LETTER TO GARRISON AL
LEGES STEPS TO SAFEGUARD
COUNTRY WERE THROTTLED.
SECRETARY DANIELS AND 9TH
ERS CALLED UNFIT BY C. S.
THOMPSON AND CUSHING
STETSON.

New York, Aug. &c. S. Thomp-
son, as chairman, and Gushing Stetson
as secretary, acting for the board of
trustees of the American Defense So
ciety, sent an open letter to Secretary
of War Garrison accusing the admin
istration of opposing practical efforts
to put the country in a proper state
Of preparedness for defense, and in
effect asking for an explanation. The
letter in part reads:
"In view of your reprimand, public
ly administered to Major General Leo
nard Wood for permitting former
President Roosevelt to speak at the
Plattsburg camp, the board of trus-
tees of the American Defense society
desires to know how the cause of
preparedness is to be advanced unless
by statement of facts detailing our
ldefenseless condition.
Open Statement Asked.
each succeeding day seems to
bring forth additional evidence that
the administration at Washington is
not in favor of an aggressive cam
paign for preparedness and in view
of the part taken officially by you and
in the past by the friends of the ad-
ministration, public interest compels
our board to ask for an open state
entm regarding your position.
"The board of trustees desires tc
state that numerous efforts have bee,
made by friends of the administration
not only to stife statements regard
ing it's lack of military policy, but tc
5 suppress the truth regarding the con-
dition of defenses.
| eve desire to call your attention
: specifically to the following:
: "First-Late in May friend Of the
J administration reported that you adj
vised against an immediate agitation
for better defenses and sought to post,
pone the holding Of the recent Peace
and Preparation Congress in New
Yor on Flag day.
. Second--At the time of the confer
ence the same influences which hat
sought to suppress it We're used sue
cessfully to suppress resolutio call
! ing for a special session Of Congress
!, to take up the question of an ade
n quate national defense.
Addresses Are Suppressed.
: "Third-Since the adjournment 0
: the conference the same inh'~s..
d prevented the publication = tho sen, w
n or more of addresses, delivered man MAJ,
Ioy which represent the best propagar
da materla, in the agitation for bette
national defense.
I "Fourth-Further efforts on th
ipart Of the friends of the administra
F" tio have succeeded in delaying an
suppressing recital of the facts, frs
regarding the unfitness of Mr.. Dan
iels for the post Of Secretary of til
Navy; secod, regarding the unftnes
of such men as Representative Ha!
chairman OF the committee on mllltar
; affairs; Representative Kitchen, chai1
man Of the ways and means commit
tee, ad many others.
Immediate Action Urged.
SThe society believes that some
thing should be done Immediately to
ward Strengthening our national de
fenses:, Army and naval officers hav
long made reports on our deplorabl
defenseless condition. What is need
ed now is action by Congress.
"To secure this action by summon
ling public support is the definite wis
of the American Defense society,""