Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-11
COMMERCIAL CLUB OF RED OAK
ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS FOR
PREPAREDNESS.
SUPREME JUDGE DEEMER
HEADS COMMITTEE
Resolutions Adopted and Forwarded to
Representatives in Coneress-Oppo
sition to Wilson's Continental Army
Plan Expressed-Club Includes Bust
ness and Professional Men, Farmers.
Special to Times Republican.

Red Oak, Feb. 1.-THE commercial
club of Red Oak has membership of
over ESQ, including practically all the
business and professional men of the
town and not few farmers. It is the
custom of the club 20 deal with live
questions of national policy as well as
strictly local matters affecting the well
fare of the town.
At recent banquet the defenseless
condition of this country was dis
cussed, Colonel FINLEY, of Council
Bluffs. being the chief speaker The
general discussion which followed his
address showed unanimous sentiment
in favor of prompt measures on the
part of this country to guarantee our
beloved land against the fate of Bel
GUM Or Poland. A committee consist
ing of Hon. H. e. Deener, of the su-
preme court of Iowa; Attorney w. C.
Ratcliff, and Thomas d. Murphy, pub
fisher of the Red Oak Express, was
appointed to draft resolutions to be
sent to the proper authorities, includ-
ing our representatives in congress.
The resolutions formulated follow:
The country's condition of unpre-
paredness against formidable attack
by any first class power Ibeing admit
ted by all, expert and non-expert alike,
and there being no International court
or tribunal for the settlement Of any
dispute among nations to whom we
could submit any grievances which
might arise and no general recogni-
cation of the Monroe Doctrine as a
part of international law: and as many
perpleXing and troublesome interna-
tional questions involving the security
OF American lives and property are
arising almost daily and under existing
conditions can be safeguarded only by
an adequate military and naval force.
I'VE. the members of the CONNER
cial Club of Red Oak, Iowa, recogniz-
ing that inadequate protection is worse
than, none a all. believe that the con-
2ress of the United States should take
steps looking to an hmm ediate strength
ening of our navy and coast defenses
to insure that no hostile foot may find
landing on our SOIL to which end we
place ourselves on record as favoring-
First. A wel-balanced and we'll
equipped navy of sufficient strength in
the opinion of naval experts to guard
our entire coast line, including the
Panama canal against hostile attack;
supplemented by ...-s-....3
Second. Adequate coast defenses
and sufficient submarines, mines and
other harbor defenses.
Third. Such an increase in our reg
ular army as will guarantee an ade-
quate first line of defense against any.
invading force that could possibly be
brought against US.
Fourth. A practicable scheme for
u
navy and national guard.
Fifth. The adoption of the legisla
tive measures which have been rec
commended by the National Guard AS
7sociation of the United States in order
to improve the efficiency of the organ
lied militia and make it ava liable with
in time of war.
Sixth. Some provisions for univer-
sal military training in all the second
airy and higher schools of the country;
voluntary for the present.
q Seventh. We are of the opinion that
the present organized militia of the
country, already fairly well trained
and equipped. should with our regular
army he made the basis of our first
line of service in time Of war and in
time of peace should be regarded tho
proper training schools for this first
line. BY the constitution it is now a.
fundamental part Of our military sys-
tenn and has never failed us in time of
need. 1t has already trained many eff
ficient officers and men who have Civ
en- literally of their time and money to
prepare themselves for any emergency
which might arise. Many have large
investments in property which should
be preserved to them. and their work
should be appreciated and recognized
and they made the unit upon which to
form reserve force available for first
line duty as we'll as for the training Of
officers for the second line.
Eighth. The proposed continental
army as we understand it, is to be
independent of the national guard and
constitute in itself a volunteer first
line of defense-a plan which does not