The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-04
ESQ MAYORS OF j. s.
HEAR CALL TO ARMS
Japan Mcnaces Our Peace and
We Must Get Ready,
Mitchell Warns.
BIGGER NAVY ONLY WAY

ST. Loris. March S.-Mayor Mitchell.
Cornelius Vanderbilt and Martin W.
ILttieton Of New York were among the
speakers at the first days sessions OF
the National Defence Conference OF
Mayors. The Rev. william T. Manning
Of Trinity Church. New York, WA
another speaker.
Three sessions Of the conference were
held to-day. the last being . mass meet.
ing In the Odeon, ut which ex-Secretary
Of state Bacon Of Boston, ex-Secretary
of Wal Wright OF Memphis and Richard
l.. Metcaife OF Omaha. Ex-Governor or
the Canal Zone. made addresses.
Al the afternoon session In the Planters
Hotel the chief speakers were Mr.. Man
ming, Gen. George Harris OF Omaha, Mr..
Lttieton and MIR. Vanderbilt. Mayor
Mitchell and Henry West OF New York
spoke at the morning session.
Miss Anne Morgan OF New York.
treasurer of the woman's section OF the
national preparedness movement. ar
rived this afternoon n will be the
principal speaker Tomorrow at a lunch
con to be given by the Tow CLUB.
The women who are attending the
conference were entertained to-day at
| INHtIltOl W nv o. lfOusS ~,
The conference Is to close Tomorrow
night with a banquet at the Hotel JEFF
ferson. .Abou $50 Mayors and other
representatives are attending the con-
ference.
Mayor Mitchell said that the menace
Of Japan and the envy OF Europe demand
that this country prepare to defend is
territory. Democracy IL on trial In the
Western Hemisphere. he added and Con.
gress must meet the test.
The Mayor said In part.
Cnn't Uetach Nation.
When. eighteen months ago. the
great ca,aclysmic European war fared
out over night into a struggle OF world
forces and its effects bsgan 10 be re-
,eNed back into the United states. some
OF our compliment and too well satisfied
people were Jared into a recognition oil
the fact that America is not. and cannot
he, a detached nation. standing aloo'
from and unaffected by the internatiofa
AFFAIRS Of other peoples. II was the be
ginning of "A recognition of the fact tina
the United States. whether she will oil
not. must lake her place among the ma
tons OF the world on equal footing OF
suffer the impairment OF her every In
tere-t al home as well as In foreign
markets.
The first national necessity ~ ;
strong. efficient, modern navy, com
posed of balanced units and offcsred AM
manned TO fun strength. Il navy eaua
to Ina OF any nation OF the world. our
to-day ranks fourth. With a Gun. stronl
navy. We must nav coast defences u
protect our harbors and to give refug
TO our ships In case OF need. Behin'
them both and quite as necessary a
either We must have a mobile army
trained. organized. equipped. prepared
OF strength sufficient 10 deal with an,
force that may he sent against "a
ADOPT <taff's plan.
'"ro prepare 10, us first adopt the plan
OF the General STAFF OF the army FOR III
!, organization of the regular army. tina
we may have n sufficient garrison 70
the country and for our possessions 4
!, times OF peace and a thoroughly eNectlv
training school for the officers who mus
train and lead the great national reserv
army of trained citizens. believe 1
universal obligatory male military train
ing under Federal authority. not A.
theory or an abstract principle but as
policy OF self-preservation which IN
American people must adopt at once thi
year"
Jesus Christ does not stand FOR peac
> at any price said Mr Manning II
stands FOR righteousness at any cost. an
, He proved that when lie Went TO hi
! ,l,Ath an Tho ,srngs