The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-02-18

"The policy recommended to you
and adopted by you squarely placed
the nation upon the sure foundation
of national forces. If that policy is
made effective by legislation there will
be secured to this country for the first
time real, stable. foundation for the
military part of it's national defense.
If, however, instead thereof, policy
is adopted based on state troops as
the main reliance Of this country for
it's military arm, not only has no ad-
vance been made from the deplorab1e
and inexcusable situation in which we
have so long been, but an effective
block has been placed across the path
way toward proper settlement.
"The adoption of such policy would
serve to delude the people into be-
lieving that the subject had been
settled and therefore required no
further consideration upon their part.
It would, therefore, in my Judgment,
be infinitely worse than an entire fail
ure Of all legislative enactment upon
the subject. The latter would at
least leave 1t open for future settle
ment.
Il, of course, am not advised as to
the statements of intention made by
Mr.. Hay to you in the conversations
held with you prior to your message
to congress at the opening Of the
present session. I have always felt,
and have so expressed myself to you,
that the situation in the congress was
such that unless you personally exert
ed the power Of your leadership you
would not obtain any worthy results
in this matter.
E'Mr. Hay has now made open dec
laration of his intention.
''Mr. Hay announces that he does not
intend to press for the enactment Of
the military policy advocated in your
message. With respect to the regular
army, he does not purpose giving US
the organizations asked for and i'm
peratiyely necessary if the federal vol
unteers (so-called continental army
are to be properly trained; he pur-
POOC0 ciAullS5 d LOW LuCuDd10 1ACA "
the enlisted strength of the army In
it's present organization, the adding
Of few regiments Of field artillery to
the existing organizations of the reg
ular army, the entire abandonment Of
the idea of federal force of national
volunteers and the passing of bill
granting direct federal pay to the en-
listed men and officers of the state
troops.
Whole Cause Endangered.
I'm my Judgment the effect of the
enactment of Mr. Hays program
would be to set back the whole cause
of legitimate, honest national defense
in an entirely unjustifiable and mex
cusable way. It would be, in my judy
ment, a betrayal of the trust of the
people in this regard. It would be IL
lusory and apparent without any re-
atty or substance.
There is, unfortunately, very little
knowledge and very little intense per-
sonal interest in any of the members
Of the house concerning military at
fairs. Apart from the power that al
ways resides in every chairman Of
committee, Mr.. Hay has the additional
power of dealing with subject con-
corning which the rest of the house
has no knowledge and about which
it has never concerned itself In this
particular instance his proposal of set
Ting this matter by voting money to
the enlisted men and officers of the
state troops appeals to the direct per-
sonal, political interest of the men,
bers. In these circumstances it seems
to me to be perfectly clear that un-
less you interpose your position as
| leader of the country on this great
subject the result will be the lament
able one which l have just described.
"If the public obtains the impression
that Mr.. Hays solution is merely an
other means Of accomplishing the
same end as your proposed policy,
they will accept the same and rest
| content that their desires have been
| properly met If, on the other hand,
| they are clearly and Enthusiastically adj
| vised that to adopt the policy suggest
ed by Mr.. Hay il to make mockery
of all that was worthy and virtuous
in the proposal Of proper military
| policy, and that 1t is delusion to con-
| slider such solution as real reliance
or security, then there is hope that we
can obtain results commensurate with
the necessities of the case and with
self-respecting consideration and
| treatment thereof.
IT cannot therefore too strongly urge
| upon you my view Of the comparative
necessity Of your seeking an occasion
at the earliest possible moment tc de-
clare yourself with respect to the mat
ter, and in doing so, to make it clear
| beyond peradventure that nothing ex-
cepting national forces, raised by the
nation and subject to its exclusive au-
| thority, responsibility and control is
any real settlement of this issue.
| Sincerely yours,
"LINDLEY M. GARRISON.
1.-THE President.
| Third 70 Quit Cabinet