The midland journal., 1916-01-28
START CAMPAIGN
FOR BETTER ARMY
Security League for Universal
Military Service.
GARRISON PLAN FIRST STEP
Resolutions Urge Universal Service,
Increase In Army and Navy
and Mobilization OF
Industries.

Washington three-day session
Of the National Security Congress, the
most representative gathering Of pre-
paredness advocates which has yet as
sembled in this country, was conclud-
ed with a dinner here, which was ad-
dressed by Senator Lodge, of Massa-
chusetts: former Attorney General
Wickersham and former Assistant At
torney-GeneraI Beck
Two important sessions of the con-
gress were held Saturday. Judge
Henry Stockbridge, of Maryland, pre-
sided at the morning session and
Franklin Q. Brown, Of New York, pre-
sided in the afternoon. Judge Stock
bridge delivered no address to the con-
gress, but presented his views in a
general way in introducing the
speakers.
It was found necessary to further
enlighten the people upon the question
of preparedness and to then rely upon
the pressure of public opinion to secure
action by the House and Senate.
Otherwise, it is feared, even the Ad-
ministration's plans viii be, to large
degree, defeated. These plans do not
proceed as far as the security con-
gress would like, but they are regarded
rs being far better than anything the
national Legislators now promise.
An Endorsement of Secretary Garri-
sons efforts toward enlargement of
the nations military forces was voted
by the National Security League. with
the reservations that the regular
mobile army should be even greater
than that contemplated in the War De-
partment plan, and that adequate ma
tionaI defense would depend ultimate
ly upon universal obligatory military
training and service"
A set of resolutions, drafted by a
committee of which Luke E. Wright,
former Secretary Of War, was chair
man, were adopted almost unanimous
ly. In part they follow:
"Be it resolved, That the defense of
the United States depends upon an
adequate navy and national army
founded upon system of universal
obligatory military training and serv-
ice. This system must be wholly
under the discipline and control of the
national authorities. We depreciate
all steps which tend to obstruct or
postpone the adoption of such uni
versal system.
Goes Further Than War Office.
t'That the National Security League
indorses the efforts of Secretary Gar
rison to obtain an increase in the regu-
lar army, the correction of our faulty
enlistment law, the establishment of
an adequate regular army reserve and
the accumulation of an adequate sup
ply of ammunition, artillery and ma
terial, but we believe that in addition
to the proposed quota of coast artil-
lery and auxiliary troops the mobile
regular army within the United States
should comprise at least four complete
infantry divisions as recommended by
the War College report of 1916.
THAT the National Security League
/. recommends the authorization by Con
gress of a council of national defense
for the purpose of securing more har-
monious cooperation between the exec
utive and legislative branches of the
Government with respect to the ma
tional defenses.
THAT the National Security League
recommends the establishment of a
navy adequate to conserve the nation
al interests in conformity with the fol-
lowing recommendations
"That the personnel of the navy be
increased in conformity with the re-
Quirements of the feet as interpreted
in the General Board of the Navy; that
there shall be established for the navy
. general staff, similar to the general
star of the army, as is customary in
all other navies of the world, and that
the National Security League indorses
the program of July 80, 1915, of the
General Board Of the Navy, and urges
its immediate adoption by Congress.
THAT fundamental factor in the
problems of preparedness should be
such intensive mobilization OF the pro-
ductive, industrial and commercial
forces of the United States as would
insure in time of war the contribution
of their fullest resources at restrict
ed profit. to be regulated by the Gov
ernment."