Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-18

der for four years IN contemplation OF
what has occurred, no troops were ordered
across the border until the House passed
the resolution TO increase the army by
10000. There never was more patent
Illustration that, while the Increase pro-
posed Is sufficient in time Of peace, II Is
not for even a miniature war.
We are the greatest neutral Power,
and eNpect to speak with some authority.
Who would pay much attention to one o.
the small American republics? Would
either England or Germany pay much
attention TO their request?
We add by this bill only 5000 men
| do not favor large standing army or
compulsory service II would be wiser
and cheaper TO make ample preparation
now for trouble which may come II Il
does not come. we will be getting on
oheaply both in money and in blood"
CLARK SPEAKS TODAY.
with Speaker Clark taking the floor this
afternoon and leaders of both parties
making final "set" speeches, the real battle
over army reorganization was in full
swing.
Publication of Secretary Of war
Bakers letter to Representative Gardner,
of Massachusetts, openly crlticsng the
Hay bill, today threw plans of leaders
askew Many officials predicted a shake
VIZ III Alit W department WOulu result.
Others believed that possibly Admins
tration dissatisfaction with the Hay
measure, both as to the small increase
authorized for the regular army and the
scheme to federalIse the State militia,
was outlined in Mr. Bakers letter.
Whether Mfr Baker acted in full ltnowl-
edge of the facts was still the doubtful
point in the controversy; also whether
his letter attacking the Hay measure was
made with the knowledge and approval
Of the White House.
That the letter threw real rancor into
the House fight was evident today.
ultra-preparedness advocates planned
vigorous assaults upon the bill as made
quate.
Secretary Bakers letter appeared to
put him In the position of criticisinE
Chairman Hay but It has been explained
to Mr.. Hays satisfaction, that the
letter TO Mr., Gardner had been prepared
at the war college and had been signed
as a matter of departmental routine by
MIR. Baker on the assurance that Il was
all right. Chairman Hay obtained his
figures from the adjutant general of the
armJ, whose duty 1t is to keep a record
of such data.
CONTRADICTION IN FIGURES.
In his report on the army bill Mr.. HAY
said there would be available a trained
and partially trained army, inclusive of
the reserve, the National Guard and other
forces. totaling 1,324,790 men. Secretary
Bakers figures as submitted by NJ. Gard.
ner gave only 473,70O men, exclusive of
the proposed army of 10000. Mr.. Gard
ner asserted. therefore, that the contradlc-
tion In figures was s.rious. those of Secre-
tary Baker being almost two-thlrds less
than the Hay figures.
Chairman Hay estimated regular army
of 100000 men, regular army reserve Of
10000 men. n National Guard of 10000
men and men trained in the country"
995.790; total, 1.324,79O.
Secretary Bakers figures were as fol-
lows:
Regular army including Philippine
scouts, 100000; regular army reserve.
1900; partially trained, National Guard,
10000; others who have had some train
ing, 1900, or a total of 473,70O.
In his letter Secretary Baker refers to
the fallacy Of this method of calcula-
ton in analyzing the figures presented by
Chairman Hay. Chairman Hay will reply
to Mr.. Gardner's speech before debate on
the army bill ends. 1t is likely that the
figures submitted by the War College will
be sharply questioned.
Mr.. Hay made tho following comment:
last night:
MY calculations were based on figures
obtained from General Mccain, the Adju-
tant General of the Army He is the ofIi-
Ger who knows about these things un-
derstand the figures in the letter of Sec