The Washington times., 1917-03-28
OFFICIALS JOIN FOR
UNIVERSAL SERVICE
Civil and Military Dignitaries
Urge Action in Face
of Crisis.

NEW YORK, March, 2s.-Civil dig
nitaries of city, State. and nation
and high officers of the army navy,
and national guard Joined hands at
different meetings here yesterday in
one great appeal for universal mill
tary service in the face of the nation
al crisis.
1t was all a part of the great wave
OF patriotism that is sweeping New
York. patriotism that was echoed
in the thunderous cheers that greeted
the various speakers.
James w. Gerard, recalled ambassa-
dor to Germany, Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood, Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
retired; Brig, Gen. WILLIAM A. Mann,
chief OF the Federal Militia Bureau:
Maj. Gen. John +. Organ, command
ing the New York national guard:
Read Admiral Bradley-A. Fiske, re-
tired, Governor Whitman and Mayor
Mitchel-these are some OF the men
who stirred thousands with their
pleas for defense.
Agree On Main Point.
At the National Defense Conven-
tion, General Miles, General Organ,
General Mann. Governor Whitman, and
Mayor Mitchell all agreed that the ma
tion's honor and integrity could be
guarded only through universal ser
vice.
They took different views on the
subject. but they were all agreed on
the one. main point.
General Mann Qnaalfno he
general staff, called the national
guard system inadequate, pointing to
the delay in the mobilization on the
border
Governor whitman heatedIy de-
Tended the guardsmen.
General O'Ryan suggested the ap-
pointment of a board of regular army
and guard officers to work out a,
bill that would make the national
guard a national army"
General Miles aroused great enthu-
siasm when he said. that. in event
OF war with Germany, the quickest,
surest action for this country would
be a decisive offensive campaign. But.
for this. he said, universal training
would be necessary.
Other Speakers.
Mayor Mitchell, Senator Blair Lee,
Maj. Gen. Charles N. Clements. of the
Pennsylvania national guard, and
Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Stewart, also OF
Pennsylvania. were others who ad-.
dressed the convention.
Rear admiral Fiske caused a sensa-
tion at the national service meeting
OF the Navy League, when he talked
with disconcerting frankness OF the
weakness of the American navy.
Asserting that the Kaiser's navy is
twice as strong as this country's, he
said that, in case the Germans win.
there is a possibility OF the United
States being invaded.
To avert this danger. he told the
gathering. it will be necessary to
have at least 10000 more trained men
for the fleet.
He also made a strong plea for
more aeroplanes.
Characteristic Plea.
General Wood made one OF his
pleas for universal
training at the farewell luncheon
given him by the Members Council
OF the Merchants Association.
Governor Whitman, who also ad-
dressed the gathering, was greeted
with cheers when he declared that
he would not hesitate to use the
power OF conscription. given him in
recently enacted State legislation. "to
compel the Stacker to take his place
with the patriot.
Ambassador Gerard. after ridiculing
Prussian pretensions and institu-
tions. asserted that Woodrow Wilson,
already greatest of peace Presidents,
will be the greatest war President
the United States Of America has ever
had"
"Gniversal Military Training" was
the general topic of other addresses
at the luncheon.