Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-24

washington, Jan. 3.-An lndOTSeleHt
of Sec. Garrison's efforts toward enlarge
ment of the nations military forces was
voted Saturday by the National Security
League, with the reservations that the
regular mobile army should be even
greater than that contemplated in the
war department plan and that adequate
national defence would depend intimate
ly upon universal obligatory military
training and service"
A greater building program for the
navy than has been outlined by the navy
department was urged as essential in an
other resolution adopted.
Merger Of Defense Bodies
Steps to coordinate the work of the
various organizations seeking greater
armament were indorsed, and it was un-
derstood that definite plans had been
made for a general consolidation of such
organizations in a defence league, with
Robert Bacon, eX-secretary of state, as
it's president. Besides the National Sc
curity League, societies expected to en-
ter the new organization include the Ma
Wy League. the Army League, the Amer
lean Defence Society, the Aero Club Of
joined in the movement for preparedness.
Adoption of the resolutions followed in
dorsement of Sec. Garrison's program as
a first sound step toward adequate pre-
paredness by Elihu Root and Henry l..
Stimson. both former secretaries of war
in Republican administrations.
At banquet Saturday night con-
Guiding the three day meeting of the
league, George w. Wickersham. At
torney General in President Taft's
Cabinet, advocated universal military
service and immediate repeal Of the
law under which the National Guard
would be called into service in adj
vance of volunteers.
Other speakers at the banquet were
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,
ranking Republican member Of the
foreign relations committee, who dis
cussed "America's danger" and
George Haven Putnam Of New York.
Resolutions Adopted
Resolutions drafted by a committee
of which Luke E. Wright. former sec
rotary of war, was chairman, were
adopted almost unanimously. They
follow:
BE it resolved that the defence of
the United States depends on an ade-
Guate navy and a national army found
ed upon a system of universal obli-
gatory military training and service.
This system must be wholly under the
discipline and control of the national
authorities. We dcprecate all steps
which tend to obstruct or postpone the
adoption of such a universal system
THAT the National Security League
indorses the efforts of Sec. Garrison to
obtain an increase in the regular
army, the correction of our faulty en-
listment law, the establishment of aN
adequate army reserve and the ac-
cumulation of an adequate supply OF
ammunition, artillery and material,
but we believe that, in addition to
the proposed quota of coast artillery
and auxiliary troops, the mobile reg
u!ar army within the United States
should comprise at least four COM
plete infantry divisions, as recon-
mended by the War College report OF
1915.
THAT the National Security League
recommends the authorization by con-
gress of a council of National defense
as set forth in House Bill No. 1888 OF
the first sessions of the 63d Congress,
commonly known as the Hobson bill,
for the purpose of securing more har-
monous cooperation between the exec
utive and legislative branches OF the
government with respect to the Ma
tional defenSes
Urges Adequate Navy
"That the National Security League
recommends the establishment OF
navy adequate to conserve the national
interest in conformity with the fol-
lowing recommendations:
THAT the personel of the navy be
increased in conformity with the re-
uuirements of the fleet as interpreted
by the General Board of the Navy;
that there shall be established for the
navy a general staff similar to the gen
eral staff of the admy. as is custom
ary in all other navies of the world;
and that the National Security League