The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-16

programme" and declared he felt that
unless the situation Is dealt with
promptly and effectively we can in
dulge in no reasonable expectation of
any acceptable result" He insisted
that there would be no substantial So
luton which did not result in ma
tional force under the exclusive con-
troll and authority Of the national
government.
| This is distinct line cleavage, Mr..
Garrison held. between reliance upon
o system Of State troops and reliance
upon national forces. upon this SUBJ
ject," he said In his letter to the
president, there does not exist. and
there can not legitimately exist. "any
difference Of opinion among those who
are unbiased and who believe in real
national security and defense"
He declared that II a policy based
upon the reliance on State troops was
adopted mot only had no advance
been made from the deplorable and
inexcusablo situation In which we
have SO long been. but an effective
block had been placed across the
pathway towards q proper settle
ment."' sle.
The secretary severely criticized
the National Guard plans Of Chairman
Hay Of tho house military committed.
In my judgment the effect Of the
enactment CT Mr.. Hays programme
would be to set back the whole cause
Of Legitimate. honest national defense
In an unJustinable and inexcusa BILE
way. It wotlld be In my Judgment
q betrayal Of trust of the people In
this regard. 1t would be illusory ana
apparent without any reality or sub
stance.
There u. unfortunately, very little
knowledge and very little intenue
personal interest in any Of the mem.
bers of the house concerning military
affairs." s 81
Mr.. Garrison declared further That
Mr.. Hay had the power Of dealing
with Z subject concerning which ..the
rest Of the house has no knowledse
and about which II has never concern
"a stseif" and suggssted that Mr.. Hays
proposal Of settling this matter ty
voting money to the members Of
State troops appealed to .the direct
personal. political interest of the
members."
| Mr.. Hays proposal to include a
draft provision 50 that at the out
break of war the National Guard
could be brought under control of the
national government was characterize
ed by Mr.. Garrison as utterly failing
to meet the essential objections to the
perpetuation Of a militia system. He
insisted the difficulty did not arise out
of the government not being able to
take over these troops. but out Of iss
inability. under the constitute. 20
preserve tho essential unity and con-
troll. in officers. training and govern
Ing Of its military forces"
After an interview between the
president and Mr.. Garrison on the
army plans the secretary again wrote
the president. specifically stating his
position. The president informed him
that Mr.. Hay had told him O federal
volunteer system could not be obtain
Cd and that the same end could be
achieved by utilizing tho State troops
and making appropriation to pay the
States on condition that the federal
government control the militia.
Mr.. Garrison then replied that the
continental army plan absolutely dis
carded militia system based upon
state troops and that the two systems
were diametricaliy opposed to each
other and are irreconcilable.
I'VE are challenged" he wrote, "by
the existing situation to declare our.
selves promptly, openly and unequiv-
ocaily or be charged properly with
lack OF sincerity and good faith" He
added that since Mr.. Wilson's word
was final. he did not wish to cause
any embarrassment and would with.
draw IL Ii would relieve the situation
The president wrote in reply that
ne and the secretary agreed that the
chief thing necessary for tho army
was that we have a trained citizen
reserve and that the training, organi-
zation and control Of that reserve
should be under Immediate federal
direction"
He declined. however. TO take nm