Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-01-05
new MILITARY
MEASURE IS in
RIVER0F DOUBT
congressman Who Oppose Pre-
parednesS Hope Public De-
mand Will Lessen
Especial Star-Rmletln Correspondence

Especial Star-Rulletin Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. G., Dec. 22.-S.
Stanwood Menken, president OF the
National Security League. has return
ed 10 New York after having spent
saturday in extended interviews with
Secretary OF War Garrison and Secre-
tafy OF the Navy Daniels IL is known
that both secretaries went into detail
with Mr.. Menkem as to the legislation
which they have recommended 10
Congress Mr. Menken refused TO
make any statement as 10 what oc-
CURED. but as a result OF his ,nyesti-
cation OF the situation and conversa-
tons which he had with members OF
The Senate and House. he stated:
II am convinced that notwithstand-
Jig the general interest in the new
bills that the entire question of what
Congress would do is in a river of
doubt Ii is apparent that The admin
istratiun has no positive information
as 10 what Congress is prepared TO
do. that the question of whether there
will be any legislation on national de-
tense is uncertain on account OF the
hope On the part Of many legislators
that the demand will lessen, and that
the army and navy can be dealt with
in the usual incidental fashion that is
characteristic of past legislation, On
the other hand, there is an earnest de-
sire on the part of many to favor the
recommendation CT the Secretary of
War and to ask their early enactment
into law.
Senator Chamberlain and Repre-
sentative Hay have both introduced
hills of their own. Chairman Cham
berlains bill follows the recommends
tons of the expert advisers in the War
College. AS to whether Congress viii
go the full length of that measure re-
mains to be debated, and, as is often
the case in the conflict of thought be-
tween the advocates of a proper de-
tense. the case will be entirely lost
The National Security League would
rather see no army or navy than an
insufficient policy. and is insistent
that we have force which will meet
cur needs from the viewpoint of ex-
pert opinion @
".As to the navy, Secretary Daniels
has made report which We are very
anxious to analyze and comment upon
in the light of the report of the navy
general board. And as we have al
ways maintained that we must be
guided by expert advice, do not care
to comment thereon, although, from
all i can learn throughout the coun-
try, it is not felt that the secretary
has provided the method for proper
protection, it being pointed out that
his plan for five years program
meets with the objection that the
ships which he has recommended as
necessary for our efficient protection
cannot be built until the expiration of
10 years.
"The National Security League in
tends to hold great congress in
Washington, to which prominent
thinkers on the question of our de-
lenses will be invited, and we are
anxious that the public should under
stand the broad approach that is be-
ing made by the league in order that
the public may fully understand the
nature of our military necessities.
Many eminent men in all walks of life
have already indicated desire to at
tend this congress.