davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
TEXT OF THE CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO
z RESERVATIONS OF SECRETARY GARRISON
AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY BRECKENRIDGE

those who are unbiased and who be-
lieve in real national security and de-
tense.
THE policy recommended to you, and
adopted by you. squarely placed the
nation upon the sure foundation Of
national forces. If that policy is made
effective by legislation there will be
secured to this country for the first
time a real. stable foundation for the
military part of it's national defense. If.
however. instead thereof, a policy is
adopted based upon the state troops as
the main reliance Of this country for
its military arm, not only has no ad-
vance been made from the deplorable
and inexcusable situation in which we
have SO long been, but an effective
block has been placed across the path
way toward proper settlement. The
adoption of such policy would serve
to delude the people into believing that
the subject had been settled and there
fore required no further consideration
| my judgment, be infinitely worse than
an entire failure Of all legislative
enactment upon the subject. The latter
| would at least leave It open for future
settlement.
Should Assert Power Of Leadership.
II. Of course, am not advised as to
the statements Of intention made by
Mr.. Hay to you in the conversations
held with you prior to your message to
Congress at the opening Of the present
| session. I have always felt, and have
| SO expressed myself to you. that the
situation in the Congress was such that
| unless you personally exerted the
power of your leadership you would
not obtain any worthy results in this
matter.
Mr.. Hay has now made open decla
ration of his intention. He announces
that he does not intend to press for
the enactment of the military policy ad
vocated in your message. With respect
to the regular army, he does not pur-
! pose giving us the organizations asked
for and imperatively necessary If the
federal volunteers (so-called continent
| tai army, are to be properly trained
he purposes adding few thousand men
| to the enlisted strength of the army in
| its present organization. the adding of
a few regiments of field artillery to
| the existing organizations of the regu-
| lar army, the entire abandonment of
tho idea of a federal force Of national
volunteers and the passing OF q bill
| granting direct federal pay to the en-
| troops.
TN my judgment the effect of tn.
enactment Of Mr.. Hays program would
be to set back the whole cause OF
legitimate. honest. national defense IL
an entirely unjustihable and mex.
ment. a betrayal of the trust OF the
people in this regard. 1t would b.
illusory and apparent without any
reality or substance.
Congress Not Well Informed.
! There IL. unfortunately. very it'll.
knowledge apd very little intense per
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Presidents Response.

February 10, 1916.
MY Dear Mr.. Breckenridge: I can
quite understand why you deem 1t in
cumbent upon YOU, in loyalty to your
chief. to follow his example in tender
ing your resignation. and since I have
accepted his resignation. I am sure 1t
will be your desire that I accept yours
also. I do so with genuine regret. be-
cause you have in every way fulfilled
the highest expectations. and rendered
the country the most conscientious and
efficient service.
1T is with genuine sorrow that /
see this official relationship between
us brought to an end.
Cordially and sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

days."
Opportunities for Young Men.
Frank J. Hogan spoke OF the oppor-
tunities in the railway field for the
young man today. and cited a. an sx-
ample the career Of the late Henry
Hurt. who started in a lowly position
with the Washington aud Georgetown
Railroad Company. carrying water for
the horses. and advanced by industry
and perseverance until. as president.
he directed the destinies Of that COM
pany.
Songs were rendered by Thomas G.
Hill, John J. Gately, e. A. Campbell
and John L. Wilkinson, and instru-
mental selections by MessPs. Dferkin
and Weide, all being employees OF the
company.
J. T. Moffett. superintendent Of trans
portation of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company. spoke Of the
good that had resulted from the section
within his company.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

enactment of Mr.. Hays program would
be to set back the whole cause of legit-
innate, honest, national defense in an
and inexcusable way. 1t
would be, in my Judgment, a betrayal
of a trust of the people in this regard.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
NATIONAL DEFENSE AND PHILIPPINE ISSUE
BASIS OF ACUTE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
4 BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND MIR. GARRISON
Resignation of the Secretary of War Follows Full Interchange
of Views After Opposition to the Continental
Army Plan Developed in Congress.

of
win
ad beenin
buth
of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

Baltimore is asking for 24.6 square
miles from Baltimore county and 5.4
miles from Anne Arundel county by
the terms of bill pending before the
state senate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

sonal interest in any of the members
of the House concerning military af-
fairs. Apart from the power that al
ways resides in every chairman OF
committee. Mr.. Hay has the additional
power of dealing with a sub
ject concerning which the rest Of the
which 1t has never concerned itself.
In this particular instance his proposal
Of settling this matter by voting
money to the enlisted men and officers
of the state troops appeals to the d.
lrect personal, political interest of the
members. In these circumstances 1t
seems to me to be perfectly clear that
unless you interpose your position as
leader of the country on this great
subject the result will be the lamenta-
Bile one which 1 have just described.
THE issue must be plainly and clear
ly drawn; 1t has nothing whatever to
ed or with the means of raising them,
| as Mr.. Hay would have 1t appear that
it has. 1t is between two absolutely
different systems. ono Of which is
| based upon the nation undertaking
| upon its own responsibility the rails.
ing and management of the national
US in the position that we have always
been In since the institution of the
! government-to rely upon the states
doing this thing for the nation -a;, sit
i
| upon a military force that 1t does not
] raise; that it does not officer; that 1t
| does not train. and that 1t does not
control. mere statement of the stu
alton shows that the two different pro-
posals are as wide apart as any two
proposals upon any subject possibly
| can be.
Hay Plan Fails to Meet Objections.
'Mr. Hays proposal to include draft
or compulsory provision so that at the
outbreak of the war the nation could
bring under its control these state
troops utterly fails to meet the essen
| tial objections to the 2erpetuation of
| the militia system. The difficulty to be
dealt with does not arise out of the
government not being able to- take
but arises out of its inability under
| the Constitution. to have the essential
| unity of responsibility. authority and
control in the raising. differing, train
| forces.
"If the public obtains the impression
| that Mr.. Hays solution 10 merely an.
other means Of accomplishing the
| will accept the same and rest content
| that their desires have been properly
met. If. on the other hand. they are
| clearly and Enthusiastically advised that
to adopt the policy suggested by Mr.
Hay is to make mockery of ali that
was worthy and vfrtuous in the pro-
posal Of a proper military policy, and
| that 1t Is delusion to consider such
/ a solution as a real reliance Of security.
then there is hope that we can obtain
results commensurate with the neces-
| sites Of the case and with a self-re-
speeding consideration and treatment
thereof.
cannot, therefore. too strongly urge
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Regards His Duty as Plain.

my own duty toward them IL per-
fectly plain. must welcome frank
interchange of views and a patient and
thorough comparison of all the
methods proposed for obtaining the
objects We all have in view. So far as
my own participation in nnal legisla-
tive action 10 concerned, no one will
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Cannot Favor Draft Provision.

|
provision SO that at the outbreak of
war the National Guard could be
| brought under the control of the ma
| tional government was characterized
| by Mr.. Garrison as utterly failing to
meet the essential objections to the
| perDetuation of militia system. He
| insisted the difficulty did not arise out
of the government not being able TO
| take over these troops, but out of It's
| inability, under the Constitution to
| have 1.-THE essential unity of resDons-
| ibility. authority and control in the
| raising, differing. training and gov
.erning of its military forces"
Following an interview between the
| President and Mr. Garrison on the army
President. specifically stating his posi-
! ton. The President informed him that
| Mr.. Hay had told him a federal volunteer
| system could not be obtained. and that
the same end could be achieved by util-
| izing the state troops and making ap
preparations to pay the states on con-
| dition that the federal government con-
| troll the militia.
| Systems Dramatically Opposed"
Mr.. Garrison then replied that the con-
tinental army plan absolutely discarded a
military system based upon state troops
and that the two systems were diamet-
| rically opposed to each other and are ir-
! reconcilable. 1--WE are challenged" he
| wrote, ''by the existing situation to de-
! clare ourselves promptly, openly and I'M
eauivocally or be charged properly with
| lack of sincerity and good faith He
| added that since Mr.. Wilson's word was
| final he did not wish to cause any en-
! barra ssment and would withdraw if it
would relieve the situation.
The President wrote in reply that he
a hat no Obi of
| thing necessary for the army was that
we should have trained citizen re-
serve, and that the training, organiZa-
| ton and control of that reserve should
| be under immediate federal direction"
| Declines to Take Irrevocable Stand.
| He declined, however, to take an ir-
revocable stand, on the ground that it
would not be proper for him to say to
a committee of Congress that it would
| clared he did not believe members of
| the House dealing with military af-
| fairs were ignorant of the military
| necessities of the nation, but had found
them well informed.
| He said he would welcome a frank
! interchange of views. but added, mo
one will expect me to acquiesce in any
proposal that I regard inadequate
or illusory." Should bill be present
accomplishing the essential thing
sought, he said, it would be his duty
to veto it and go to the country on
| the merits.
The views of the President and Mr..
Garrison were reviewed in other let
tiers, which eliminated in the Offering
and acceptance Of the Secretary's res
] ignation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Secretary Garrison's Rejoinder.

Secretary Garrisons next letter fol-
lows:
l.. February 9, 1916.
|sMy Dear Mr.. President:
Two matters within the jurisdiction
Of this department are now of imme-
date and pressing Importance. and I
am constrained. to declare my position
definitely and Enthusiastically thereon. I
refer, of course. to the Philippine ques-
ton and the matter Of national de-
Tense. You know my convictions with
respect to each of them.
II consider the principle embodied in
the Clarke, amendment an abandonment
of the duty OF this nation and breach
OF trust toward the Filipinos; SO be-
lfeving, I cannot accept it or acquiesce
in its acceptance.
II consider the reliance upon the
militia for national defense an I'M
justifiable imperiling of the nations
safety. 1t would not only be sham
in itself, but it's enactment into law
would prevent, if not destroy. the OPP
portunity to procure measures of real,
genuine national defense. ! could rot
accept it or acquiesce in it's acceptance.
I am obliged to make my position
known immediately upon each of these
questions. in speech on Thursday
afternoon and in a communication to
the House committee having charge of
the Philippine question.
H. VIII iespeGI " eitheF Wdttef'
we are not in agreement upon these
fundamental principles, then I could
not with propriety, remain your SEEM
| ing representative in respect thereto.
Our convictions would be manifestly
not only divergent but utterly ire
concilab1e.
You will appreciate the necessity OF
| timely knowledge upon my part of the
determination reached by you with re-
| spect to each of these matters, so that
l may act advisedly in the premises.
Sincerely yours,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

Mr.. Breckenridge Follows Chief.

The following correspondence be-
tween the President and Assistant Sec
rotary Breckinridge also was made
public:
February 10. 1916.
my Dear Mr.. President: The Secre-
tary of War. Mr. Garrison. has just in
formed me of the fact that he has SUBJ
mitted his resignation, to take effect at
your convenience.
Il have been cognizant of each de-
tail of the correspondence between
yourself and him leading up to this
action on his part. / have subscribed
to each statement of principle made
by him throughout this correspondence.
share without exception his convic-
tions. and therefore have the honor to
tender my resignation, to take effect at
your convenience.
very respectfully, ..
HENRY BRECKENRIDGE"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Presidents View of Philippine Issu

President Wilson replied:
February 10, 1915.
my Dear Mr.. Secretary:
'In reply to your letter Of today let
me say:
First. that it is my own judgment
that the action embodied in the Clarke
amendment to the bill extending fur
Their self-government to the Philip
pines is unwise at this time, but it
would clearly be most inadvisable for
me to take the position that l must
dissent from that action should both
houses of Congress concur in a bill
embodying that amendment. That Is
a matter upon which I must, of course,
withhold judgment until the joint ac-
ton of the two houses reaches me in
definite form. What the final action
of the houses will be no one can at this
time certainly forecast. / am now, of
course, engaged in conference with Mr..
Jones and others with regard to the
probable action of the House of Repre-
sentatives in this matter and do not
yet know what it is likely to be. The
one obvious thing, 1t seems to me, is
the necessity for calm and deliberate
aetion on our. part at this time when
matters Of such gravity are to be de-
terrnined, and not only. calm and de-
.liberate action but action which takes
into very serious consideration views
differing from our own.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

! 1t would be illusory and apparent
without any reality or substance.
| "There is. unfortunately. very little
| knowledge and very little intense per-
| sonal interest in any of the members
of the House concerning military af-
fairs
Mr. Garrison declared further that
Mr.. Hay had the power of dealing with
a subject concerning which 1.-The rest
of the House has no knowledge and
about which it has never concerned it.
self and suggested that Mr.. Hays
proposal of settling this matter by vot-
ing money to the members of state
troops appealed to 1.-The direct personal,
political interest of the members"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

The correspondence between Secre-
tary Garrison and the President, which
began January IL. follows:
January IL. 1916.
my Dear Mr.. President:
TN my Judgment, we are facing =
critical juncture with respect to the
military part of the national defense
program.
T am convinced that unless tho stu
alton is dealt with promptly ana ef-
fectiyely we can indulge in no reason
able expectation OF any acceptable re-
suit.
so far as the military part of ma
tional defense is concerned. there can
be no honest or worthy solution which
does not result IN national forces under
the exclusive control and authority of
the national government. Any other
solution is illusory and not real; Is ap-
parent and not substantial.
Legitimate Field Of Debate.
There is a perfectly legitimate field
Of discussion and debate as to the
means of obtaining these national
forces. The proportion thereof that
should be regular standing army. that
should be organized reserves Of the
regular standing army or should be
drawn from the body of citizens for
shorter periods OF national service than
those in the regular standing army are
all legitimate and proper matters for
considerable analysis and discussion.
But there IL absolutely no dissent,
from the military standpoint, from the
conclusion that the only measure of
national defense that possesses any
virtue is one which produces national
forces. From the beginning of the
government to this time. excepting dur
ing periods of actual war, the ac-
the situation arose out of the lack of
any system producing these federal
forces. The situation was rendered
worse by the presence Of state troops.
raised, Differed. trained and governed
by the states, that were assumed to be
a military reliance for the nation, when,
In fact. they are not and can never be
made to be. Under the Constitution Of
the United States these state troops
must always be governed, differed and
trained by the respective states.
First Line Of Cleavage.
THE very first line of cleavage. there
fore. which must be encountered and
dealt with by the student of the stu
alton is between reliance upon a sys-
tenn of state troops. forever subject to
constitutional limitations which render
them absolutely insecure as a reliance
Tor the nation, or reliance upon ma
tional forces raised. differed. trained
and controlled by the national authori-
ties. Upon this subject there does not
exist, and there cannot legitimately
exist, any difference OF opinion among
= s
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

ing to find successor. I ought to re-
lieve you at once and do hereby ac-
cept your resignation because it is so
evidently your desire that l should do
so.
however. without expressing to you my
very warm appreciation Of the distin-
Kuished service you have rendered as
Secretary Of War, and I am sure that
in expressing this appreciation I am
of our fellow citizens far and wide.
with sincere regret at the action
you have felt constrained to take.
sincerely yours.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Resignation Accepted.

Resignation Accepted.
The President replied:
February 10, 1916.
my Dear Mr.. Secretary:
II must confess to feeling a very
great surprise at your letter of today
Offering your resignation as Secretary
Of War. There has been no definite ac-
ton taken yet in either Of the matters
to which your letter Of yesterday re-
ferred. The whole matter is under de-
bate and all the influences that work
for clarity and judgment ought to be
available at this very time.
"But since you have been obliged to
take this action and since it Is evident
that your feeling in the matter is very
great indeed. feel that I would be
only imposing q burden upon you
should urge you to retain the secre-
taryship Of war while am endeavor-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Mr.. Garrison Resigns.

Mr.. Garrison thereupon decided that
resignation from the cabinet was his
only course and wrote: -. -
February 10. 1915.
my Dear Mr.. Presidents
Il am Just in receipt Of yours Of Feb
ruary 10 in reply to mine Of February
9. 1t is evident that we hopelessly
disagree upon what 1 conceive to be
fundamental principles. This makes
manifest the Improperly of my longer
with respect to these matters.
II hereby tender my resignation as
Secretary Of War. to take effect at
your convenience.
sincerely yours,
"LINDLEY NJ GARRISON"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Mind Open to Conviction.

Second. as I have had. occasion to
say to you, I am not yet convinced
that the measure of preparation for
national defense which we deem neces-
sary can be obtained through the in
strumentality of the National Guard
under federal control and training, but
/ feel in duty bound to keep my mind
open to conviction on that side and
think that it would be most unwise
and most unfair to the committee of
the House. which has such a plan in
mind. to say that it cannot be done.
The bill in which it will be embodied
has not yet been drawn. as I learned
a very serious mistake to shut the
door against this attempt on the part
of the committee in perfect good faith
to meet the essentials of the program
set forth in my message, but in way
of their own choosing.
"As you know. I do not at all agree
with you In favoring compulsory en-
committee of the House on the part of
representatives of the Department of
War has greatly prejudiced the House
against the proposal for a continental
| army. little necessary connection as
there is between the plan and the opin-
ion of the chief of staff in favor of
compulsory enlistment
Owes Frank Repetition Of Opinion.
Il owe you this frank repetition Of
my views and policy in this matter,
which We have discussed on previous
occasions in the letters which we have
exchanged and in conversation. am
very much obliged to you for your own
frank avowal of your convictions.
trust that you will feel no hesitation
| about expressing. your personal views
on both these subjects on the two oc-
casions to which you refer, but I hope
that you will be kind enough to draw
very carefully the distinction between
your own individual views and the
views of the administration.
you will, Of course. understand that
]. am devoting, my energy and atten-
ton unsparingly in conference with
members of the various committees OF
Congress to an effort to procure an
agreement upon a workable and prao-
ticable program. This is q time when
It seems to me patience on the part of
all OF us is of the essence in bringing
about contamination Of the purpose
we all have in mind.
Every sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON,"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

upon you my view Of the imperative
at the earliest possible moment to de-
clare yourself with respect to the mat
ter and in doing SO to make it clear
beyond peradventure hat nothing ex-
cepting national forces, raised by the
nation and subject to it's exclusive
authority, responsibility and control.
is any real settlement of this issue.
Sincerely yours.
LINDLEY NJ. GARRISON.
The President.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11

Congress Not Well Informed.
There IL. unfortunately. very little
knowledge apd very little intense per-
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-21
WAGE STRIKE ON
SOUND. VESSELS

Practically every steamer plying
between Puget sound ports inside
OF Cape F1attery II reported tied
up Tuesday. unable to load or dis
charge freight. a. the result OF a
general walkout OF employees.
More than 400 firemen. oilers.
deckhands. water tenders. walters.
porters. cooks, watchmen. pantry
men and messmen. are on strike.
demanding wage increases OF from
IS TO SIS a month. 80 cents for
overtime and improved conditions
OF labor.
But three steamers are reported
running out OF this port to neigh
boring points. They are the Ia
coma, on the Seattle-Tacoma run.
the Kulshan and the Waiaieale.
The Kulshan's crew has been re-
placed with negroes. II is reported.
Demands on all steamship COM
panies were presented by the
Puget Sound Steamshipmen's union
at O'Clock Monday. They we're
refused.
Deckhands are demanding In
crease In wages from $40 to $50 a
month. Overtime rates are de-
handed for sll work performed ex-
cept between the hours OF 3 a m.
and s p. m. and for all Sunday and
holiday work.