New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-17
Irges Militia Endorsement.


The letter. which is signed By j.
Clifford r. Foster Of Florida, chairman
of the executive committee, Is III part
as follows: A
sirable that efforts be made TO secure
,be adoption by boards Of trade and
other commercial organizations
throughout the country of resolutions
;mdorsing the national guard pro
gramne for Federal military leglsla
lion. This action can be initiated By
officers in every city or town where
there are organizations of the national
Guard. and perhaps in other cities.
"Two things should be brought out
specially in such resolutions, va:
"fal Endorsement Of the full! pro-
gramme for Federal military leglsla tlon
proposed By the National Guard AS
ISOLATION al San Francisco. and
"tb) Strong expression OF the beIlei
that the national guard should form
the basis OF any force Of citizen sol
diery which the nation may undertake
TO maintain for national defence:
The adoption of such resolutions
.nav be argued for upon the following
grounds, which will appeal particularly
TO business men:
"laj That the members of the ma
tional guard have for many years de-
voted themselves seriously and WIN
good results 10 the building up OF
force of citizen soidery for national
defence. for which patriotic WORK tnelr
branch of the service is entitled TO
some consideration.
"fb) That the national guard, main
tanned BIZ the states. trained and Off
cered under uniform system. but
available 10 the nation in time OF war;
would be a force consistent with our
national ideals.
Against Continental Army.
"(c1 That the members of the ma
toaal guard, being the only ones VINO
have had practical experience IN the
organization and management OF citizen
soldiers. may be said 70 have expert
knowledge OF the cond itions under
which such service must be performed,
and spending from this experience and
expert kuoWledg they are unanimous
in the opinion that the continental
army plan j. impracticable and fore
doomed to failure.
"ldD That effort 10 establish any ne"
military force 20 be drawn from the
citizenry of the country must either re-
suit in failure or in the Adjustment OF
the national guard. and that sound
principles Of economy contend Tot the
maintenance and development OF the
force already in existence. and Which
has an invested capital of more than
hundred million dollars.
"Other arguments viii suggest 'heih-
selves.
There is submitted herewith draft
If resolutions which have been used IN
some cases. II is recommended. now
ever. that the yerbiaRe be changed IN
each instance. Copies Of all resolu-
tions of this character which may DE
adopted should be mailed 10 the Presl-
dent. the Secretary of War. the Sena.
tors and Representatives in Congress OF
the state and 20 the chairman OF the
Senate and House committees on Mill
tary Affairs.
of this suggestion is Vigorously
carried out, your committee fee!s 'hat
IL will result m a snowstorm OF res'-
lutions at Washington, which VIII ..
convincing evidence OF the sentiment
of the country favorable to the ma
tlonal guard.
The resolutions inclosed provide ioI
a navy second TO none, an adequate
increase N the regular army, the auop-
ton OF the National Guard Association
programme for militia increase ana
nav and for the Swiss system OF uni'
versal training They also provide
that the mil tia shall be the ONLY
force Of citizen soldiery in the unite0