Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-05
.STATEISSHOWINC
WISHFORDEFENsE
Congressman Williams Reports Re.
suit of POll-Continental Army is
Opposed in Illinois.
GOVERNMENT FACTORY FAVORED
That Is Sentiment In TaYenRer's Dis.
trict, Inquiry Proves-Inter-
esting Discoveries.

Tribune by it's Washington staff cor
respondent:
Washington, D. c., Feb. Con
gresham W. E. Williams, the demo-
cratic member-at- Large from Illinois,
today announced his opposition to
President Wilson's continental army
program. Mr. Williams stated that he
has just completed a canvass of dem
ocratic voters throughout Illinois and
found that almost universally they
were in favor of increasing the ma
tional defenses.
This canvass showed two remark
able results, however. One was that
in the Fourteenth congressional dis
trict, represented by Congressman
Tavenner, while there appears to be
strong sentiment for increasing the
defenses, there is an overwhelming
sentiment in favor Of the manufacture
Of all munitions by the government.
The other result is that, with one
exception, every reply from Quincy
was unfavorable to increases in the
national defense. Quincy is the home
of H n Wheeler, one of the Ford pill
grims. He is editor of a democratic
paper, which has campaigned vigor-
ously against the preparedness pro-
gram.
Growing Sentiment for Defense.
Another feature in connection with
the congressman's canvass Is that the
replies which have been received dur
ing the last three weeks were far more
emphatic in favor of increased de-
lenses than those received during De-
cember, when he first began TO send
out letters
AS a general proposition 80 per
cent Of Mr.. Williams correspondents
favor a program such as has been ad-
vocated by the Chicago Tribune. This
calls for a material increase in the
navy, an increase in the standing
army, an increase in the national
guard, combined with change in the
present militia system, placing it more
wholly under federal control.
With respect to universal service
his correspondents were about evenly
divided Part of those who oppose
universal said that they favor having
the boys in grade, high school and col
lege instructed in military tactics. A
number of the writer's favor the es-
tablislment of additional officers
training schools.
Continental Army Plan Opposed.
Il was greatly surprised" Mr.. Will
liams said, ito discover the apparent
unanimity of sentiment for increases
in our defenses You will see by
perusing the letters that early in De
cember, when the replies first began
TO come in, that the voters were more
evenly divided and that those who IA
vored increases had no particularly
definite plan in mind with respect to
the army, although all approved the
strengthening of the navy. Recently
discussion of plans.
Il haven't more than three or four
letters advocating the presidents con-
tinental army plan. / do not believe
the voters of our state want it adopt
ed"
Williams Seeks Opinions.
In his letter to the voters Mr.. Will
liams said he favored material in
creases in the reserves of arms and
ammunition for both the navy and
army
Il do not take kindly to the idea OF
universal military enlistment and
drill" he wrote. "Will you please
feel out the public sentiment in your
community and write me the consen-
sus of opinion as to it? assure you
it will be a benefit to me in arriving at
my conclusion"
Wants Army Fit for Defense.
Carl Epler OF Quincy says: THE
general feeling is that we need larg-
er regular army for defensive pur-
poses at least. Rooseyelt's diatribes
against Germany, with demands for a
great army on q war basis do not take
with anybody"
Justice Farmer of the Illinois SUI
preme court wrote:
"Of course the navy is of prime i'm
portance, but l believe sentiment ap-
proves some plan that will enable us
to more quickly mobilize land forces
in large numbers than at present"
Rev. G. E. Young of the Grace Epis-
copal church, Pontiac, wrote:
The safety of our nation demands
that we prepare by getting ready to
keep from our shores an intending
enemy. The vast amount Of coast line
calls for large and strong defenses
People who want peace at any price
say it is dangerous to prepare. Every
community has some people Of that
sort, l hope not too many"