Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-02-23
HARDY WOULD HALT
WILSON'S POLICIES
Texss Congressman Believes We Can
Rspel Any Possible invader.
e Even Today.

washington. Feb. Is. -Representa.
tive Hardy has placed in the Congress
sional Record copy OF a letter writ
ten by him to- Clarence Ousley. ID. ID.
Peevy @. II. Mills and p. L. Brady.
In this letter Congressman Hardy de-
clarcs that he stands Just where he
has always stood. That he stands
'for preparedness for defense. but not
for aggression" He says he opposes
the continental army or big standing
army plans. but win support the new
national guard bill and the small In
crease the committee may request for
the standing army: detailing more
army officers to military schools 10
aid In training cadets; the greatest
possible number OF submarines; the
ship purchasing bill and the upbuild-
ing Of the naval reserve. He goes into
minute details to show by expert tes-
timony that our navy and coast de-
fenses are not inefficient. and says:
"with all the strength OF my soul I
do believe We could repel the invad-
ers-any possible invader-of our
shores even today"
Quotes Wilson's Defense or Army and
Navy.
He enters into the question OF cost
OF providing and maintaining a large
standing army and stupendous navy
and cites the number OF warships a.
ready authorized and building.
The finest brief defense Of our
navy and army and our national guard
as ample protection against invasion.
In the face Of charges OF general In
efficiency and insufficiency. have
ever read was contained in the presi-
dents message to congress December
a year ago II was so grand In its
poise. Its patriotism. and It's states
manship that II profoundly impressed
me.
Then he believed we had always
found means to defend ourselves when
necessary and would always do so
without compulsory military service
In time OF peace. Then we were In
capable Of the dread OF the power OF
any other nation. Then he declared
the country had been misinformed and
that We had not been negligent OF our
national defense or unmindful OF the I
great responsibility resting upon us
and that 20 do more than we were then
doing would carry with II reversal
of the whole history and character OF i.
our policy.
Does Not Criticize President Wilson.
Il do not quote the president to
criticize. | quote him because OF the
unquestloned truth Of the quotation.
l have stood with the president in all 4
his great policies because have
agreed with him. but n he now stands
for a great standing army In time OF
peace and for the greatest navy in
the world. cannot agree with him.
] have been and am his friend. have
defended him on the floor OF the house
against attack from our own governor
and have his letter OF thanks for Il.
know he Is my friend and that he IS
one man. at least. who does not wish
me TO be a puppet. believe the time
will come when he will thank some
Of US for Saving him and our country
from reversal OF the whole history
and character OF our policy.
In his conclusion the congressman
says: ~ - ~
1T Il needless for me to say I. has
been pafnful to me to write This letter.
II has been hard to be true. have
written II under sense OF my obliga.
lions and duty to you. to our common
country. to unborn generations yet to
come. and In the fear OF God. My
hands are clean. Let my people do
with my political fortune what they
will"