Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-12
Continental Army Plan Is
Bone of Contention on
Which Split Comes
WAR SECRETARY IS
CHAMPION OF BILL
President Finds Sentiment
Is More Favorable to
Enlarging Guards

LIlldISluS Oud1uo
Washington, D. c., Feb. II. - Secre-
tary Garrison has resigned from the
cabinet because President Wilson de-
clined to insist without compromise on
the adoption of the continental army
plan by congress. The resignation was
rendered and accepted yesterday, and
with Mr., Garrison, the assistant secre-
tary of war, Henry G.. Breckenridge.
left the service Of the government.
The president finds himself today
personally in charge of the administra-
tons plans for strengthening the
army and working out definite mill
tary policy. He has not selected sue
cessor to Mr.. Garrison and it Is regard
cd as probable that even after the new
head of the war department Is named,
the president will continue to handle
the preparedness plans to great ex-
tent by himself.
Action 10 Surprise.
Secretary Garr1son's resignation
took official Washington by complete
surprise. Even members Of the presi-
dents oficial family were unaware OF
the secretary's contemplated action.
although one of them said, however,
that he knew Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Gar
rison differed over the handling of the
army plans.
The reasons for Secretary Garrison's
resignation and it's acceptance by the
president are disclosed in lengthy cor
respondence made public between
them. The correspondence revealed
that while the secretary left the cab
met principally because the president
would not 'Irrevocably" support the
continental army plan, his opposition
to the administrations program for
setting q definite time for Filipino In
dependence, as outlined in Senator
Clarke's amendment to the Philippine
bill, was an important factor. The
secretary characterized the amend
ment as IAN abandonment Of the duty
Of this nation and breach Of trust
for the Filipinos" .,.
Against National Guard.
Secretary Garrison contended that
only federal continental army, in
stead of a recognized national guard,
could be the main military dependence
of the country, while the president
contended that no one plan could be
enforced on congress. 1t was on these
two contentious that, the break be.
tween the president and his secretary
of war came. ..
Assistant Secretary Breckenridge,
who shared Mr.. Garr1son's views, re-
signed because of loyalty to his chief.
Maj. Gen. Scott, chief Of staff of the
army, automatically became secretary
of war ad interim.
j. Lane to Succeed?
While Secretary Lane was being
considered in off1cial circles as a
likely choice, 1t was understood that
the president has under consideration
the names Of two or three other men.
The president has already made up
his mind to appoint a democrat, and it
was said that he will not be from New
Jersey nor from the south.
Former Gov. Walsh of Massachu-
sets, Secretary Houston, Former Gov.
Harmon Of Ohio and Former Mayor
Baker Of Cleveland were added to the
names being discussed. Former Gov
Adams of Colorado was being talked
of as a possible successor to Secre-
tary Lane. It was understood, how
over, that at least one of the men
being considered by the president has
not been mentioned publicly for the
position Of secretary Of war.
The cabinet met today with va
cant chair for the first time since Mr.
Bryan's resignation. The departure
Of Mr.. Garrison, with It's possible ef-
fects on the administration and the
preparedness program, was discussed
thoroughly. f
Report that there might be other
designations from the cabinet were
met with denials.
Work to Proceed.
Congress will proceed to compile
ton of military program without re-
gard to the resignation Of Secretary
Garrison" said Chairman Chamber
lain Of the senate military affairs COM
mittee today after meeting of the
committee. '"The resignation will
have no effect on the military COM
mittees of the senate or the house.
PERSONALLY, regret his resignation
Mr.. Garrison was forceful man and
one of positive views which he was
not afraid to stand by. Unfortunately
his continental army plan was not
popular in the military committees of
congress, nor did it meet with the
views of a majority of the members
in the senate and the house"
(Cont:-ued on page 81