Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-10
PROMINENT MEN
OF COUNTRY TALK
ONPREP PAREDNESS
Governors, Rear Admirals,
Mayors and Other Celebrities
Are Interviewed

Statements of governors, rear admi-
rails. mayors and prominent men to the
North American Press Association in
connection with the campaign of pub
licity on Preparedness, are as fol-
lows:
Edward f. Dunno. governor Of IL
linoiS: IF war were to be declared /
/ against this country by one of the six
great nations of Europe it must be
conceded that the United States in its
present condition of unpreparedness
as to land and naval forces would
be in sorry predicament. For often
sive warfare our land forces are so
small as to be regarded with ridicule.
This serious condition of affairs has
given even the most ardent advocate |
of peace between the nations grave
concern. Let us be prepared to pro-
tect the life of the nation against
aggression from abroad
I Frank Il. Willis, governor of Ohio: !
Every nation should he prepared to
defend its own honor and protect its |
citizens. wherever those citizens have |
a right TO be. In my judgment the
American navy should be strengthened
and rendered more efficient than at
present. Our navy must rank well TO |
the front amongst the navies of the |
world. The army should be strength
ened, not by the creation of a Con- |
I
/ building up of the National Guard of
the several States. The National
Guard organization is the strongest |
military force in this country. 1t is |
made up very largely of trained men |
and is the foundation upon which an
army must be built The standing |
army should be increased somewhat |
and the National Guard of the sew
eral States should be strengthened to |
constitute the second line of defense.
| This will be much less expensive than
| the projected Continental Army and |
in the long run will be more efficient. |
This country will never embrace a
policy of militarism, but must, in my
/ judgment, be in q position to defend |
itself in time of need"
Nat L. Harris, governor of Georgia:
81 believe this country's military and
naval establishments should be quick |
ly and effectively strengthened TO a |
point where there will be no tempta- |
ton for other nations, either singly or
| through coalition, to make any attack
upon us. I cannot too strongly COM
mend all agencies that are working
intelligently toward calling these prin-
ciples to the minds of our people in
order that the National Administra-
ton may realize it as a complete sup |
port of the nation in such a pro-
gram"
Woodbridge n. Ferris. governor of
hltlllBdIl. ne llldJOIllg VI stlllS
men recognize the importance of a
sane preparedness. To my mind the
emphasis should be placed on coast
defense. / doubt if there is any opin-
ion to the contrary as to the correct
ness of this view. There are men in
the United States who are skilled in
military affairs and who ought to be
able to advise Congress and the Pres
ident in an efficient manner. l pre-
sumo the information at your conf
mand is far superior to my tranSitory
observations. l still believe in put !
! ting the emphasis on Preparedness |
sfor Peace"
For Preparedness
George w. P. Hunt, governor of
| Arizona: I'm my humble opinion a
better way of going about solution
of the war problem, at least so far
as our nation is concerned, is to ad-
vance our military preparedness to
such an extent as to render peace a
probable conclusion. 1t is noteworthy
in this connection that the trend of
our national policy for the develop
ment of military strength is toward
the upbuilding of a serviceable navy
and the creation of a powerful reserve
through measures designed to increase
the efficiency and numerical strength
of civilian military forces rather than
maintain a costly standing army
James Withycombe, governor of
! Oregon: 81 most distinctly am in favor
of a policy which will adequately guar
antee the preparedness of the United
States. not with a view to anything
! approaching militarism, but rather as
an insurance against the possibility OF
war. / am of the opinion that the
measures proposed in the congress
now assembling will probably result
in at least a proper start in the de-
sired direction
John B. Kendrick, by secretary,
governor of Wyoming: Your letter
| of recent date to Governor Kendrick
has been received by the governor
and he has directed me to reply to you
saying he is in thorough accord with |
the preparedness campaign"
/ George p. Colvocoresses, rear admi- |
raj retired, L. S. N: Now is the
| time when every effort should be
made by patriotic citizens to impress
upon the general apathy that has so
| long prevailed in regard to this mat
| ter is such that unless immediate /
advice of those who by proper eN-
perience and training are best quail
fled to judge of the needs of national
defense we are in imminent danger
of facing a calamity that will de-
stroy the peace and prosperity of the
republic and ultimately lead to the
overthrow of our institutions. In this
connection system of military train
ing should be given the youth OF our
country. The duty of national de-
fense should be made compulsory for
all males of eligible age and physical
fitness"
Wants Powerful Navy
French +. Chadwick, rear admiral,
retired L. s. N: This country should
bar none. This country can only be
bar done This country can only be
seriously attacked overseas. If we
command the seas such attack would
not even be ventured. We should be
in such a state of defense that no
enemy could land. A navy of 15O, 900
men would put us in such a position.
The logic of the whole situation ap
pears to me to be that we shall be so
powerful on the sea that no one will