Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-02-11


bili,y and control, IS any real settlement,
OF this issue.
Sincerely yours.
'.LINDLEY ". GARRISON
Second Letter
The correspondence shows that a
conversation between the President
and the secretary followed this letter.
for on Jan. IA, Mr.. Garrison wrote;
Jan. II. 1916.
Ny Dear Nr. President:
~Wha, you said by way Of response
TO my letter Of the 18th requires me
to make my position perfectly clear
TO you.
You stated that Mr.. Hay told you
that your proposal Of federal volun-
tee-s could not be procured. and that
the same end for which you were
striving could be procured BY other
means-by utilizing the state troops
az the basis Of the policy and making
appropriation Of pay to the states con-
ditioned On federal control Of the state
troops.
You stated 70 him that you were
ilpL l4ISISsLSu III al. pa s-SAA1A ~ "
gram or means Of accomplishing the
purpose Of securing the men. and
would accept mis- proposal il it accom-
plished that purpose.
Since the policy that was recon-
nended To you and adopted by YOU
DISCARDED absolutely military sys-
TEN based upon state troops and as
serted that the only possible basis for
q military policy was national forces.
it is entirely clear that the proposals
are diametrically opposed 70 each 9th
or and are irreconcilable.
Those who are conscienciously
convinced that nothing but national
forces can properly be the basis Of a
policy Of national defense cannot pos
sibly accept a policy based upon state
forces. II does not of itself offer any
acceptable solution, but acts 20 pre-
vent any proper solution.
If those who are thus convinced are
faced with the necessity Of declaring
their position on the matter they can
only show their sincerity and GOO
faith BY declining 10 admit the pos
sibility Of compromise with respect 10
these essential fundamental pTinci-
pies.
Il am thus convinced.
II feel that We are challenges by the
existing situation 70 declare ourselves
promptly. openly ard unequiTocaily, or
be charged properly with lack OF sincer!-
" and good faith.
We cannot hope 70 see our program.
based on this essential principle, sue
ceed if we admit the possibility of com
promise with respect 70 it.
Yours is t..e ultimate responsibility
yours is the final determination as 10 the
manner in which the situation shall be
faced ard treated. fully realize his
and l DO not desire 70 cause you the
slightest embarrassment on my account
II. therefore. my withdrawal from the
si.ua ton would relieve you, you should
not hesitate for moment on that ac-
, count.
"Sincsreiy yours.
"LINDLET NJ. GARRISON
Presidents Reply
To that the President replied:
Jan. J.. 1918.
Ny Dear Mr.. Secretary:
II am very much obliged 70 you for
your letters Of Jan. 18th and Jan. l4th.
They make your -iews with regard 70 ad-
e1uate measures Of preparation for ma
,iona, defence sharply clear. l am sure
that I already understood just what
vour views were. but am glad TO have
,,ero res.ated In this succinct and strik-
ing way. You believe, as I do, that the
chief thing necessary is that We should
have trained citizen reserve ana ina,
the training. organization and control Of
That reserve shorld be under immediate
federal direction
"But apparently have not succeeded
In making my own position equally c'ear
70 YOU. though I feel sure that nave
made 1t perfectly clear 10 Mr. hay IL
is that I am not irrevocably or dognat-
ics,,y committed to any one plan or pro-
,.;di,e .he nation with such a reserve
and am cordially willing to discuss alter
native proposals.
ANY other position on my part "ou!d
indicate an attitude towards the commit
tee on military affairs of the House Oh
REPRESENTATIVES which l should in no c'r-
cumstances feel at liberty to assume. IL
would never be proper or possible lot NE
70 say TO any committee Of the House
Of Representatives that so far as my
particpation in legislation was concerned
they would have to take my plan or none
II don't share your opinion that the
members of the House who are charg-
ed with the duty Of dealing with mill
tarv affairs are ignorant of them or OF
the military necessities OF the nation.
On the contrary. l have found them
well informed and actuated by most
intelligent appreciation Of the grave
responsibility imposed upon them.
am sure Mr.. Hay and his colleagues
are ready to act with full sense OF
all that is involved in this great mat
ter both for the country and the ma
tional parties which they represent. My
own duty towards them is perfectly
plain. must welcome frank inter-
change of views and patient and
thorough comparison of all the meth
DDS proposed for obtaining the objects
we all have in view. So far as my
own participation in final legislative
action is concerned, no one will expect
me to acquiesce in any proposal that
regard as inadequate or illusory. If,
as the outcome of a free interchange
of views, my own judgment and that
l. l.