New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-23
BACON TO HEAD
DEFENCE MOVEMENT
Continued from page I

the government with respect TO the
national defences.
"That the National Security League
recommends the establishment OF a
navy adequate to conserve the national
/ interest in conformity with the fol-
/ lowing recommendationsi
That the personnel Of the navy be
/ increased in conformity with the re-
qurements of the feet as interpreted
| by the General Board OF the navy; that
! there shall be established for the navy
d General staff. similar to the Genera
| staff Of the army, az is customary. ~
all other navies Of the world. and that
the National Security League indorses
tho programme of July 80, 1915, Of the
| General Board Of the navy and urges
its immediate adoption by Congress.
"That a fundamental factor in the
problems Of preparedness should be
ouch intensive mobilization of the pro-
ductive. industrial and commercial
forces OF the United States as would
insure in me Of war the contribution
Of their fullest resources at q restrict
ed profit, TO be regulated By the gov
eminent.
THAT In view Of the fact that tho
! great interest In national defence
throughout the country has created
number of local and national organi-
cations aiming TO increase the ell
cheney of our military and naval ser
vice, the National Security League i,r-
mediatelv endeavor TO avoid the over
| tapping OF the effort and energy CT
these organizations by seeking efec-
tive means Of unifying and coordinat-
ing their activities"
Although officials of the league would
fob, ufh IaUraa of
deiiniteness had been reached in the
negotiations for amalgamation of the
defence societies, il was understood
that the Navy League and several
other bodies already had agreed to
come IN, and that Mr.. Bacon had prom
ised to accept the presidency OF the
new organization. Extensive plans for
combined campaign for preparedness
already have been made, it was said
and steps taken toward raising a
$4,000 fund in New York and one OF a
like amount in Philadelphia for sink
ing fund
Mr.. Wickersham in his address to-
night emphasized the necessity OF wide
publicity, saying he saw no hope of
| change in the policy OF the nation
until the weakness and unfairness OF
our traditional system are more sharply
/ brought home 70 the people"
at the threshold of consideration OF
national defence" he said, must be an
I inquiry into the duty OF citizens to rem
/ der military service 10 the country in
| times Of peace, as well as in war. In
no other way could we more effectively
rid the nation Of the incubus Of our
accursed system Of bounties and pen
sons than by the establishment and
maintenance Of system of universal
military service.
at is strange that any intelligent
/ student of the history OF our country
could oppose the plan of military or
ganization which involves placing the
| sole control and discipline of the forces
under the Federal authority. IL seems
incredible that any responsible member
Of Congress at this day should advocate
a continuance of that divided control
which in the past has cost the country
! dearly In lives and property"
Unqualified Endorsement Of the ad
ministration's continental army plan
was given by Mr.. Stimson.
Declaring himself in favor of com
! pulsory universal military service as
! the true solution of the defence nrcb-
/ lem, Mr.. Stimson said he regarded the
programme now advanced by Secretary
| Garrison as the sound initial step.
III Congress is not ready yet 10 sane
| tion universal training" he said. the
measures which are enacted should be
! those which. so far as they 90. are in