Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-24
Sec. GarriSon'S Plan
Gets Endorsement
National Security League Urges Even Great
er Army Than Proposed and Declares I a t
Adequate National Defence Would Depend VI
timately on Obligatory Service and Training

! indorses the program Of July 80, 1915.
of the General Board of the Navy, and
urges it's immediate adoption by Con-
gress.
THAT a fundamental factor in the
problems Of preparedness should be
such intensive mobilization Of the pro-
ductive, industrial and commercial for
ces of the United States as would in
sure in time of war the contribution Of
their fullest resources at a restricted
profit to be regulated by the govern
ment.
THAT in view of the fact that the
great interest in National defense
throughout the country has created
number of local and national organiza-
tions aiming to increase the efficiency
of our military and naval service. the
National Security League Immediately
| endeavor to avoid the overlapping Of
| the effort and energy of these organiza-
| tons by seeking effective means of uni
| flying and coordinating their activities
One Vote Against compuIsion
The only vote against the resolu-
| ton advocating universal military SER
| vice was cast by William a. Kecham Of
! Indianapolis, who said he represented
| the Governor of Indiana Mr.. ketcham
| objected vigorously when the chairman
at first announced that the resolution
| had been adopted unanimously.
| Although officials of the league would
! not indicate what degree of definitely
had been reached in the negotiations for
amalgamation of the defence societies.
| it was understood that the Navy Leag
and several other bodies already had
agreed to come in, and that Mr. Bacon
had promised to accept the presidency
of the new organization. Extensive plans
for combined campaign for prepared
ness already have been made, it was said.
and steps taken toward raising a $ao.oN)
fund in New York and one of like
amount in Philadelphia for sinking
| fund.
| Mr.. Wickersham in his address empha-
sized the necessity of wide publicity, say
ing he saw no hope of a change in the
policy of the nation until the weakness
and unfairness of our traditional system
! is more sharply brought home to the
| people"
Urges Universal Service
| AT tHe tHTeSIOlu VI toiisibCi NeAoh Va
national defence" he said must be an
inquiry into the duty of citizens to rem
der military service to the country Ill
! times of peace as well as in war. In no
other way could we more effectively rid
the nation of the incubus of our accurset,
system of bounties and pensions than by
the establishment and maintenance OF a
system of universal military service.
/ But the practical question now pre-
scented to the American people is not the
| immediate adoption of such system.
Our military and naval authorities, both
civil and military, with the high author
ity of the President of the United States
and the secretaries of war and navy,
have clearly put before the people a
statement of our present deficiencies.
1.-The condition of our coast defences
has been sharply put before us by the
report of the chief of that service; and
we are told that artillery, costing up
wards of SAL 100000, is without man to
protect it; that the old system of relying
| upon the states for voluntary military
| support, under the act of Congress which
provides that one-half of the coast arti!-
, lery shall be furnished by the states, has
failed, as it always has failed, through
out our history, to provide US with any
thing like the stipulated quota of men,
Calls Militia Act Folly
THAT law should be repealed, and that
/ other enactment of congressional folly.
| approved May 81 1908, which provides
that the organized militia shall be call
ed into the service of the United States
in advance of any volunteer force which
it may be necessary to raise, should also
| be repealed without delay.
at is strange that any intelligent stu
dent of the history of our country could
oppose the plan of military organization
which involves placing the sole control
and discipline of the forces under federal
authority. 1t seems incredible that any
responsible member of Congress at this
day should advocate continuance of
that divided control which in the past
has cost the country dearly in lives and
I! property"