Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-18
Supporting Preparedness
Plan National Figures
Make Stirring Pleas.
IS TERMED INSURANCE
Wilson Plan Necessary Safe
guard Of Nation Say Civic
Federation Leaders.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-Stirring pleas
for national preparedness and vigor-
GUS attacks on peace at any price"
advocates were made by speakers of
national prominence at the closing
session today of the annual meeting of
the national civic federation.
The speakers included Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation Of Labor, John Hays Ham
mond, Senators Wadsworth and
Phelan, former Governor O'Neil of AL
ALBANIA, Arthur H. Dadmun, secretary
Of the navy league of the United
States, and Talcott Williams of New
York, dean of the Pulitzer School of
Journalism.
Denfense Imperative.
I'VE are forced to the conclusion,
however opposed we may be to the
prof1igate expenditure of the nations
wealth, that military and naval de-
tense, even in the case Of a peace low
ing nation, is imperative in the pres
ent status of international relations, 2"
Mr.. Hammond said. He asserted that
only two objections could be urged
against preparedness: First, by "the
peace at any price class because they
fear the development of a militaristic
mania; second, the question Of costs.
Mr.. Hammond urged that the proposed
expenditure of $1,000,000,000 beyond
the country's present naval and mill
tary budget be looked on as bust
ness Investment an insurance-not
always effectual against war-but
which will at least minimize the dis
tress incident to war"
Not Political Capital.
The speaker said that the present
was not the time for either political
party to make political capital for
campaign purposes. "If in pursuance
Of Pan-Americanism," he said, 1--WE
are to extend our sphere of influence
We shall need an authority of far
greater strength than that of any other
power with the sole exception Of
Great Britain. With Japan we have
other issues in addition to our open
door in China policy that might bring
a crisis. Military experts have urged
the utter defenseless position of oul
Pacific coast against an invasion by
the japanese"
Mr.. Hammond expressed the belle.
that a Panama canal bond issue tt
meet the cost of national defense would
be less Objectionable than any system
Of direct taxation.
Is Duty of America.
Former Governor O'Neil declared /
was difficult TO believe that the peace
at any price" advocates realize thu
"debasing and demoralizing doctrine
they preach"
The paramount duty of America Il
Preparedness" he said. THE mos
serious opposition in congress to tn
preparedness program is to be expect
ed from those members who bitterl,
oppose any reduction in the size o
capacity of the pork barrel Forum
ately these defenders of the pork bar
rel represent but a small and nois,
majority"
The speaker urged the adoption o
Australian plan of universal servic
70 make up reserve army.
Names Indemnity Price.
Declaring that the United Staes,
ever defeated in war, would have t
pay an indemnity reaching as high a
NO,OO0,000.000, if the tribute laid O
france by Germany in 1871 may b
.aken as measure, Mr.. Williams sal
mat the interest on this enormous SUI
would be as large as any expenditur
now proposed for increasing this coun
uys army and navy. For all the tint
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