Grand Forks daily herald., 1916-02-11


of war parted official company.
The acute differences Of opinion
which led to the break began early
In the year when opposition to the
continental army plan began develop
ing in congress. There had been in
definite rumors of the possibility Of
the secretary of war leaving the cabi-
net. but they never were counten-
anced in official quarters. The secre-
tary everywhere was regarded as one
OF the strong men of the administra-
ton upon whom the president leaned
IN the difficult situations. both domes-
tic and International, which have
marked his administration,
The circumstances which led up to
the resignation are detailed in the
secretarys correspondence with the
president which was made public
last night by the white house. The
president. the letters disclose, believes
that the training. organization and
control Of a military reserve should
be under immediate federal direction,
but Is not "irrevocably or dogmatical-
~ committed to any one plan" He
wrote Mr.. Garrison that he could not
force any specific plan on congress
and added: Il must welcome q frank
interchanEe of views. and a patient
methods proposed for obtaining the
objects we all have in view"
Mr.. Garrison's contentious that only
the plans of the war department
could be considered seemed to the
president wholly unjustifiable." Mr.
Garrison considered reliance upon
the militia for national defense an
unjustifiable and imperiling OF the
9ation's safety" In resigning he wrote
4 the president: lls.l..5..;;- =
ut is evident that we hopelessly
disagree upon what conceive~to be
rfundamentat principles
6,,slE. Mr: . Garrison ;aars characterized act the
bill providing conditionally for the
independence Of the islands within
four years "an abandonment of the
duty of this nation and a breach of
trust for the Filipinos." The presi-
dent replied it was his judgment that
this time" but added lit would clear
ly be most inadvisable for me to take
the position that I must dissent from
that action should both houses of con-
gress concur in a bill embodying that
amendment"
He said he must withhold Judgment
until the final action was before him
in definite form.
On January IL Secretary Garrison
wrote the president I'VE are facing a
critical juncture with respect to the
military part Of the national defense
program" and declared he felt that
unless the situation is dealt with
promptly and effectively. we can in
dulge in no reasonable expectation of
any acceptable result"
He insisted that there could be no
substantial solution which did not
result in national forces under the
exclusive control and authority of the
national government. Admitting that
there could be legitimate discussion
q nj
national forces, the secretary asserted
that from the beginning of the gov
ernment, the acknowledged weakness
Of the situation arose out Of the lack
of any system producing federal
forces.
The situation was rendered worse"
he added, "by the presence Of state
troops. raised: ofiicered. trained and
governed by the states''
There is a distinct line Of cleavage,
Mr.. Garrison held, between reliance
upon system Of state troops and
this subject" he said in his letter to
the president, there does not exist.
and there cannot legitimately exist
any difference Of opinion among those
who are unbiased and we believe in
real national security and defense"
Leading Figure.
Secretary Garrison has been a lead
ing figure in President Wilson'S Off
ctal family ever since the administra-
ton began. To his urging has been
ascribed in part Mr.. Wilson's deter
mination to carry to the country his
plea for adequate national defense
MIR. Garrison began close study Of
the military situation nearly two years
ago. He has devoted days and nights
to the subject, beginning his inquiry
he has himself declared, with only a
vague knowledge of the military his
tory Of the nation or Of the problems
presented in planning for defense
against any possible enemy.
Worked Nights.
For months it has been a common
sight at the war department when he
has been in the city to see the lights
in his Office blazing far into the night.
Surrounded by his bureau chiefs and
officers on staff duty, the secretary
went into every aspect Of the case
with all the concentration he develop
ed as q lawyer and q member Of the
New Jersey judiciary.
Out OF that study came the plan for
the continental increases in tho reeu-
lar army and proposals for coast de-
fences, and q huge reserve Of war ma
terial which constitutes the admins
tratton preparedness plan, SO far, as
the army is concerned.
Behind that plan the president has
stood.
Nation Not Ready.
Mr.. Garrison recently declared for
Continued on page 81
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