Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-06
Secretary Garrison Outlines
Plan for Increasing
Defense Force.
DEFINITE MILITARY
POLICY NECESSARY
War Secretary Argues That Congress
Must Determine on Some Plan Of
Action to Protect Integrity, it Not
the Existence Of the Nation-WouId
Raise Army Of 100000 Men in Six
Years-FederaI Aid For Guards.

Years-FederaI Aid For Guards.
Washington, Jan. 6.-The question OF
national preparedness again occupied
today the center Of the stage in con-
gressional committee activity.
Hearings on the administrations ma
tional defense program were begun to-
day before the house military affairs
committee and the house naval affairs
committee continued It's hearing on the
/ naval appropriation bill.
Secretary Garrison laid before the
house military affairs committee today
his formal argument in behalf of the
administrations army plan, which Is
designed to give the country a definite
military policy. It proposed the crea-
tion Of a mobile federal force of more
than 100000 men in six years, ac-
cumulation Of a huge reserve of ammu-
milton and equipment, and elaborate
extension of the coast defenses. the
whole project involving an expenditure
of $600,000,000, and an annual war de-
partment budget thereafter of more
than s20o,00o,o00, as compared with the
average Of $100,000,000 for the last few
years.
"Nation's Existence at Stake"
The integrity Of the nation and its
very existance. the secretary said, read
ing from q lengthy statement he had
prepared, may depend on what is done
in this matter at this time. This great
opportunity will be lost until wise.
sensible and practical policy is the re-
suit Of the consideration and action Of
this congress.
Referring to the widespread possibil-
tiles Of this nation reaching into the
insular possessions, China, Alaska and
the Panama canal zone. Mr.. Garrison
added
1--WE have determined andl eannounced
that, the sovereignty OF the other re-
publics on this hemisphere shall remain
inviolable and must, therefore, at all
times, stand ready to make good our
position In this connection.
Continental Force Of 100000.
There Is a disposition on the part
of some to assume that we are forcing
a crisis. The only way to meet any
emergency is by adopting emergency
measures.
There is common agreement
among those who have studied the sub
ject intelligently. that we should have
a force in continental United States. Of
100000 men subject to instant call
"Our immediate problem. therefore,
seems to be how shall we meet these
requirements.
"The adjutant general reaches the
conclusion that he can not expect,
under present conditions, to recruit
more than $4,000 men per year for the
army. It would, therefore, seem i'm
practicable in the last degree to con-
slider that the problem can be solved
by providing for standing army Of
the size necessary for this solution"
Federal Aid For Guardsmsn.
Turning to the national guard, Mr..
Garrison said:
AT the present time this force con-
sists Of approximately $4,000 men and
officers and 1t would therefore be
necessary If 1t were toape expanded to
100000 to add 271 900 men and Officers.
II therefore, propose a large addi-
tion to the federal aid extended to the
national guard, so that the. system
may be operated to its maximum
capacity and be available to the fed
eral purposes specified in it's most ef-
fective condition"
The secretary then outlined the con.
tfnental army plan, which proposes to
raise 100000 men in annual increments
OF $4,000 each. from districts ap-
proximating the 400 congressional dis
tricts, each to supply 333 men annually.
The men would enlist for three years
with the colors and three years on fur
Tough and will be armed, equipped and
officered.
Twine Probe Demanded.
Senator McCumber introduced a
resolution today calling on the attor-
ney general to investigate and report to
congress whether a combination of In
dividuals or corporations exists to fix
and control the price OF sisal and
manila binding twine in the United
States.
May Abandon NavaI Yards.
!. Possibility of the navy being forced
by an Inadequate channel to abandon
the Mare Island navy yard for the use
OF big ships, at least, was advanced to-
day ny Rear admiral II + !, !. Stanford
head Of the bureau Of yards and docks,
before the house naval committee.
Representative Stephens, OF California,
suggested that congress might provide
a commission to study the desirability
OF finding another location for navy
yard in San Francisco bay.
Admiral Stanford said he believed
Mare Island navy yard should be shut
down, so far as ship construction is
concerned.
HenseIsy Calls For Investigation.
Representative Henseley. OF Mis-
souri, q member Of the house naval
committee and one OF the opposition 70
the naval increases, introduced "a reso-
luton today for investigation Of or
ganixations active for and against pre-
paredness including the Navy League,
IAbors, National Peace Council, the
National Security League and the
National Defense Society.
Fall nseeluiien Adepted.
Senator Fall. Of New Mexico, led the