New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-11
State Troop System
IllusOry and Unreal,
Says Secretary.
BRECKENRIDGE
QUITS AS AID
SCuttle Measure a Breach
of Trust" That Hast
ened Break.

From Tr- Tribune Blf.sul
Washington. Feb. lO.-Lindley NJ.
Garrison, recognized as one Of the
strongest men in the Administration
and one Of the few who has insisted
from the first on real national de-
fence and vigorous foreign policy,
resigned to-day as Secretary Of War,
when he became convinced that the
President would not give the sup
port he had promised 10 a real pre-
paredness programme.
The President at once accepted his
resignation and also that Of Henry
Breckenridge. Assistant Secretary
of War. No move toward filing the
places has yet been made, it is an
nounced at the White House, but
every effort will be made TO do so
promptly. Major General Scott,
Chief of Staff Of the Army, auto
matically becomes Secretary Of War
ad interim.
The difference Of opinion over pre-
paredness has been growing for
months and is the main cause of the
rupture. It has been complicated,
however. within the last few DAYS by
the Presidents support of the scuttle
policy with regard TO the Philippines.
This Mr.. Garrison declared to be
"an abandonment Of the duty of this
nation and breach Of trust toward
the Filipino
Situation Became Impossible
The immediate cause Of the break
is the fact that Mr.. Garrison this
afternoon was scheduled for a speech
in which he would have 10 make
clear a position Numerically oppo-
site to the Presidents. Having been
unable to bring the President to a
firm stand for his plan. which the
President had previously indorsed
he found the situation impossible.
Mr. Garrison resigned because he
felt that the President had tempor-
lied with. if he had not fully agreed
TO. the Hay policy. which Mr. CARR
son declared would merely "delude
the people" and be infinitely worse
than am entire failure of all legisla
tive enactment"
Il feel. Mr.. Garrison wrote to the
President. that We are challenged
by the existing situation to declare
ourselves promptly. openly and un
equivocally. or be charged properly
with lack Of sincerity and good
faith"
The President, after a CORE
spondence lasting nearly month
refused so TO declare himself, and
the Secretary's resignation followed
as a matter Of course.
Mr. Garrison's resignation was
complets surprise to official WashInF'
ton generally He made no personal
explanation Several hours before the
official announcement he had boarded .
train with his wife for New York, and
word had been passed at the depsr'-
ment that he had gone for an indefinite
stay.
The real point az issue on the pre-
paredness question is that the Presi-
dent has receded from the stand which
Mr.. Garrison considered fundamental
and which the Pres.den. originally in
dorsed. This is that reliance upon
miltia sor national defence is an un-
'ustidaDlo imper.lli1g OF the nations
safety Il would rot only be a sham
in itsei. bu. is enactment into Law
would prevent. 4 not destroy. the op-
rortunity 10 procure measures Of real,
genuine national defence"
Pork S~ayed House Leaders.
The leaders IN the House have IA
,ored a scheme much more popular po-
litically and for pork barrel" reasons.
Il is 20 attempt the impossible task
of making the militia dependable
force and 10 pay It's officers AID men
some millions from the national Treas
ury. This plan. the President, since ne
found its strength in Congress, has re
fused TO discourage. although diametri-
cally opposed 20 wha: Mr.. Garrison and
al military experts who have testified
declare 20 be fundamental IN any plan
Of adequate preparedness.
In conference eith members Of The
House committee this afternoon, IN
fact. the President expressed views 90
favorable 20 this that some Of the mem
bers were convinced that ne had agreed
70 it. AZ the White House. and in ths
Presidents letter 20 Nh. Garrison. th,,
is denied. But the evidence Of the