Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-18
MAY Be TWO YEARS
IN DEMOb|E|z|NG,
SAYS MR.. DANIELS
Navy Secretary Tells Gov
ernors Need of Soldiers
Abroad Is Apparent.
INTERNATIONAL POLICING
WOULD NEED BIGGER NAVY
Secretary Lane Asks Governors to
Aid Land Reclaiming for
Soldiers.

Aid Land Reclaiming for
Soldiers.
By the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, December 1S.-At
least year, possibly two years, will
be required before the nation can re-
turn to normal peace conditions, and
eve will be fortunate if conditions
abroad make rehabilitation possible
at so early date" said Secretary Dan
iels today, addressing the conference
of state governors.
The Navy, said the Secretary, must
be increased and strengthened to en-
able the United States to contribute
as many units as any other nation to
an international police force, but he
added:
II look to see the peace congress put
an end to competitive big navy
building"
Secretary Lane Speaks.
Secretary Lane. also addressing the
conference, urged governors to do
everything in their power to keep
state branches of the Council Of Ma
tional Defense from disintegrating. He
emphasized Secretary Bakers recent
declaration that these local councils
should remain in existence to CO.
operate with federal agencies, al
though not acting as federal institu
tions.
Mr.. Lane also urged the states to
cooperate with the federal govern
ment in reclaiminS lands as farms for
returning soldiers.
The cabinet members addresses
followed a discussion by the COVER
nors of future policies for the state
National Guard organizations. Wide
differences of opinion developed, some
governors advocating return to the
old National Guard system, some ad-
vocating universal military training
by the federal government, and
others declaring that the time is not
ripe for determining future internal
military policies
Warns Against Optimism.
Warning against overoptimistic
hopes for the return of all American
soldiers from abroad, Secretary
Daniels said:
TT required a year and a half. with
ability to contract with British ships
to help carry two million soldiers to
France.
Even if there were no need for SOL
dierS overSeaS-and that need is ap-
parent-it would be a fine organization
that could land them home in a year.
Naval ships have been turned into
transports 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 a per-
h1aGSac the world "
Turning to the growth of the Navy.
the Secretary said:
Must Increase Navy.
"The American Navy must be in
creased and strengthened. l am ask
ing Congress not to make any new de-
partures, but to authorize another
three-year program.
THE United States lost less by the
war than any other great nation. 1t
Is the richest nation and has the long
est shore lines II should therefore
contribute to the international police
a large and powerful force. And for
this the three-year program is neces-
Sary."
OF the prosecution of the war Mr..
Daniels said the government has
conducted the greatest war IN ms
tory and expended more billions than
ever before dreamed of, and not dol
lar of the peoples money has stuck
to the hands of those intrusted with
it's proper expenditure"
Returning soldiers, said the Secre-
tary. are coming back ito win the
greater peace in the spirit of fellow
ship and high resolve that no privi-
legged class shall monopoliZe the fruits
of their valor. Men are equally re-
solved that no red flag of anarchy
shall float to the breeZes in fair
America"
Attitude on Utilities.
Discussing the nations attitude to-
ward railroads, telegraphs and other
public utilities Secretary Daniels
said that 1.-The American people will
do with them what they believe is
hest for their country regardless of
the bugaboo of government ownership
which scares some tlmld people or
the belief in the principle of govern
ment ownership by those who would
prefer to carry out their theory than
10 abandon it for better course that
is for the greatest good of the great
est number
Government ownership should be
tested by what it will accomplish ana
stand or fall by that standard.
..The idea that government employees
vote for the party in power has no
longer any weight
Mr.. Daniels urged the governors 10
do a II possible TO prevent cHilu idpoi,
and to assist the federal government
in a campaign to eradicate social dis
eases.
Secretary Lanes Appeal.
Secretary Lane. referring to the
excellent cooperation Of state
hranches of the Council of National
Defense" said. 'it is necessary tnae
the national sense. activity ana unity
of spirit be kept alive.
"I wish" he added. that you would
nromote in every way you possloly
can. by legislation. and the message
Won carry home. measures to prevent
the disintegration OF the states mo
90 many units and keep alive the
machinery of the defense councils.
Would Re-Establish Guard.
Gov. Philip of Wisconsin precipi,
tated the discussion OF the Natiohat
Euard by declaring that the only way
tha nation can avoid militarism and
-. the same time provide proper pro-
lection for itself is through re-essao-
fisbment of the National Guard. Cow
RovIe of Nevada disagreed, saying
,,W;yersaI service and training is tho
nr;ncynle requisite and that the Ma
tinnal Guard should be SECONDARY,
With state constabularies to do pollce
Gov. Houx of Wyoming said the feG-
eral government can MAINTAIN an
Army best: that there need be no teas
of militarism and that he was op.
posed to states maiutainingg nationat
guard organizations.
THAT it is too early to determine
n