New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-21
Union League
Club Demands
United Nation
Aggressive Measures for De
fence Are Urged in
Resolutions
Germany Now at War
With u. S., Root Says
Roosevelt Asks Country to
Avoid Accusation OF
Dollar War

The Union League Club. founded IN
1858 By men resolved TO save the
Union. met last night to hear the re-
port Of a committee appointed several
months ago to investigate the state OF
the nations defences, and, on hearing
K. adopted the following resolutions:
RESOLVED: First-Thst the menu
bers of the Union League Club Will
earnestly support the President OF the
United States in making immediate
and vigorous use of the powers al
ready vested in him TO forestall and
repel German attacks. recognizing
the fact that Germany has made and
is making actual war on the United
States. in filling up without any de-
lay the depleted numbers OF the
army and navy, by urgent and IN.
sistent appeals to the patriotism OF
the young men of the country.
~ In driving to the limit of their
capacity the army and navy manu-
featuring establishments owned by
the government for the manufactur--
ing of rifles, and a multitude OF
other things of common use neces-
sary for the conduct OF war, IN all
of which we are fatuously deficient.
(3) In securing immediate prep
sarations for manufacture and the
earliest possible beginning of manu-
facture. in private as well as gov
ernment factories. Of the multitude
of munitions and supplies necessary
for successful warfare, including
aeroplanes and submarines, to the
limit of the appropriation ready
made and of the authority already
granted: and, fourth, in the arming
of ships and in aggressive action to
rcpel German attacks on our citizens
and warfare on our country; and
further be it
RESOLVES: Second That this club
strongly approves the action OF the
national government in armlng mer-
chant vessels of the United States, TO
the end ti'at they NAV defend them
selves by force of arms against un-
lawful and violent interference with
the exercise of their rights upon
the high seas. And, further, be 1t
RESOLVED: Third-That this club
respectfully requests the Senators
and all Congressman who represent
any of its members to vote for and
urge the earliest possible enactment
of laws which shall make all needed
enlargement Of the executive powers,
for the national defence, and shall
put into immediate operation the
plan for the universal training OF
American young men in their nine-
teenth year, contained, with imma'
terial differences. in the bill already
reported by the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs and in the bill of the
General staff transmitted to Con-
gress by the Secretary of War. Ana
be it further
RESOLVED: Fourth-That this club
ask the American people to face the
fact that war with this country eX-
ists by the act of Germany, and that
the whole united weight of American
loyalty must be concentrated upon
effective governmental action.
The action was accompanied by sew
eral very Strong speeches.
Elihu Root said: Germany is MAX
ing war upon rs. and we are all wait
ing TO SEQ whether we are to take 1t
living down. 1t is either war or it IS
submission to oppression"
Theodore Roosevelt said: use our
feet in any way possible, but prepare
our armed strength so that nc one shall
be able to say that if we do go to war
we will make il only dollar war;
lAp account Of the meeting ard a
summary of the speeches 'cW De
fOund on Page Z.