New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-11
Wilson Dissents on Philippines


Wilson Dissents on Philippines.
President Wilson replied:
February 10. 1916.
"My Dear Mr.. Secretary: In reply 20
your letter Of to-day let me say:
First. that IL Is my judgment thar
the action embodied In the Clarke
amendment 10 the bill extending FUR.
ther self-covernment 10 the Philippines
IS urwisc al this time, but 70 would
clearly be most inadvissble for me 10
take the position that ! must dissent
from that action should both houses
of Congress concur in bill embodyins
that amendment. That is n matter
uron which must, Of course, with
hold Judgment until the JOINT action
of the two houses reaches me m DENIM o.
form. What the final action OF the
houses will be, no one can AZ this time
certainly forecast. J am now, OF
course. engaged in conference with N '.
lanes and others with regard 10 th'
probable action OF the House OF Repre-
sentatives in this matter, and do not
vet know what 10 IS likely 20 be. ne
one obvious thing, II seems 20 me, i7
the necessity for calm and deliberate
action on our part at this time, Wheh
matters Of such gravity are 20 be de-
termined: and not only calm ana de-
Iberate action, but action which takes
into very serious consideration views
differing from our own.
second. as I have had occasion 10
say to you, / am not yet convinced thaO
the measure Of preparation Tor ma
tional defence which we deem neces-
sarv can be obtained through the IN
strumentality Of the national guard IN
der Federal control and training, but
feel in duty bound 70 keep my MN :
omen 70 conviction on that side ana
think that II would be most unWise anu
most unfair 20 the committee OF inc
House which has such a plan IN mind
10 say that II cannot he done. ne bi'i
in which II will be embodied mas no.
vet been drawn, as learned TO-DAY
from Mr.. Hay. J should deem II
very serious mistake 20 shut the doc"
against this attempt on the part OF inc
committee In perfect good falth TO
meet the essentials Of the programme
set forth IN my message, but IN way
Of their own choosing.
"As you know. | do not at all agree
with you in favoring compulsory en-
Hstment for training and ! fear the
advocacy OF compulsion before the
committee of the House on the part
Of representatives Of the Depart
ment Of War has greatly preludiced
the House against the proposal toi "a
Continental army, little necessary con
nection as there is between the plan
and the opinion Of the Chief OF Stan
i'm favor Of compulsory enlistment
Asks Fair Statement Of Differences.
81 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 10 hesitation
about expressing your personal views
on both these subjects on the two oc-
casions 70 which you refer, but | hope
that you will be kind enough 10 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 attention
unsparingly in conference with mem
Sers Of the various committees of Con-
gress TO an effort 70 procure an agree
ment upon workable and practicable
programme. This is a time when 1t
seems to me patience on the part of all
Of US s of the essence il bringing
about consummation OF the purpose
We all have in mind.
Very sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
Mr. Garrison thereupon decided that
esignation from the Cabinet was his
only course and wrote:
February 10, 1916
My Dear Mr. President:
81 am just in receipt OF yours Of
February 10 IN reply TO mine Of
February 8. II is evident that we
hopelessly disagree upon what | con-
ceive 20 be fundamental principles
This makes manifest the Improperly
of my longer remaining your seeming
representative with respect to these
matters.
81 hereby tender my resignation "a
Secretary OF War, 10 take effect at
your convenience.
sincerely yours.
LINDLEN NJ. GARRISON"
The President replied:
February 10. 1916.
My Dear Sir Secretary: ! must con-
Tess 70 feeling very great surprise az
your letter OF to-day Offering your
resignation as Secretary Of War. There
has been no definite action taken yet
DOB either Of the matters 10 which YOUR
letter Of yesterday referred The whole
matter is under debate and all the in
huences that work for clarity and iudg-
rent ought 10 be available at this very
time.
But 'ince you nave felt obliged 70
AXE this action, and since il Is evi-
dent that your feeling IN the matter
very great indeed, feel that
would be only imposing a burden upon
"ou should / urg. you 70 retain IN
Secretaryship Of War while ] am en-
deavorirg 10 lind successor. ought
90 relieve you AZ once. and do hereh
accept our r' cnation because 10 is 30
evidently your desire that should jo
so.