The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-12-18
Other Governors Advocated
a System of Universal
Military Training
DANIELS SEES END
OF NAVY COMPETITION
But He Says We Must Have
Ships for international
Police Force

Annapolis, Md, Dec ls.--At least a
year, possibly two years, will be required
before the nation can return to normal
peace conditions and eve will be fortu.
nate if conditions abroad make demo.
bilization possible at so early date,
said Secretary Daniels here to-day, ad.
dressing the conference Of state gov
ernors.
The navy, the secretary said, must
be increased and strengthened TO enable
the United States to contribute as many
units as any other nation to an inter.
ational police force, but he added;
81 look to see the peace conference put
an end to competitive big navy build
ing"
Secretary Lane, also addressing the
conference, urged the governors TO dc
everything in their power to keep state
branches of the council Of national de.
fense from disiRtegration. He en-
phasized Secretary Bakers recent dec.
laration that these local councils should
remain in existence to keep with fed
eral agencies although not acting as
federal institutions.
The cabinet members addresses fol
lowed discussion by the governors Of
future policies for the steto National
Guard organizations. Wide differences
of opinion developed, some governors
advocating return to the old National
Guard system, some advocating universal
military training by the national gov.
ernment, and othsss urging that the
time is not ripe for determining future
internal military policies.
Warning against over er-optimistie hopes
for the return Of all American soldiers
from abroad, Secretary Daniels said;
ut required a year and half, with
ability to contract with British ships
to help carry two million soldiers q
France Even If there were no need fol
soldiers overseas and that need is ap.
parent---it would be fine organization
that could land them home in year
Naval ships have been turned into trans
ports to help in this big job, and men in
the naval service are being rapidly
brought home. But some ships and some
men must stay until permanent peace
blesses the world"
Turning to the growth Of the navy
the secretary said;
"The American navy must be increased
and strengthened. | am not asking Con.
gress 10 make any new departures, but
to authorize another three-year program
"The United States lost less by the
war than any other great nation. 1t !.
the richest nation and has the longest
shore lines. II should, therefore, con
tribute to the international police a
large and powerful force. And for this
the three year program is necessary"
OF the prosecution OF the war, Mr.
Daniels said the government has econ.
Quoted the greatest war in history and
expended more billions than ever be-
fore dreamed Of, and not dollar Of the
peoples money has stuck to the hands
Of those entrusted with its proper ex-
pendture"
Returning soldiers, said the secretary
are coming back "to win the greatest
peace in the spirit Of fellowship and high
resolve that no privileged class shall
monopolize the fruits of their yalor. Men
are equally resolved that no red flag
Of anarchy shall float to the breeze in
fair America"