New-York tribune., 1920-09-26
Legion Plans
World Union
OF Veterans
Potential Membership Of
100000 Would Be Real
League of Nations, Enth1-
siastic Promoters Assert
Allies Approve Project
Cleveland Convention En-
pected to Take Action,
Early Arrivals Announce
BY the American Legion Eat
Tribune

Tribune
CLEVELAND, Sept. 25.-Amalgama-
tion of all the fighting men of the
world into an organization embracing
veterans OF every nation allied in the
war against Germany is one OF the
projects contemplated by delegates TO
the second annual convention of the
American Legion. which will open IN
this city Monday.
This anialeamation, with a poten-
tial membership Of more than $1,000,
900 soldiers ard sailors, would have as
its chief purpose, its sponsors said,
the achievement of beneficial legisla-
tion designed to give lighting men
;their just rewards.
1t is intended by the leaders that
the veterans organization in each
but that all shall subscribe to course
OF concerted action to gain greater
weight for their program.
Not only delegates from the Amerl-
can Legion are to attend this conven-
tion, but there will be veterans from
England, Canada, France, Italy and
Belgium. It is to these that the pro-
posal VIII be made for great united
body of fighting men. 1t IS said that
the French and Canadian delegates
have indorsed the plan.
Topic Is Paramount
This topic has been paramount
throughout the day among the dele
gates already arrived. Leaders in Lc-
gion affairs believe other delegations
will indorse the movement. The ANAL
eamation would include. as now
planned, the q. A. R., United Spanish
eign Wars. the United Confederate
Veterans and the American Legion, in
addition to the veteran organizations
OF other Allied countries.
The veterans believe that such an
organization would be a real league of
nations. quite as powerful as that pro-
vlded for in the Treaty of Versailles.
1t Is intimated that there might be a
program for compensation drawn up
that would become a universal system
for all governments in their care of
the wounded and disabled
Franklin D'O!ier, of Philadelphia, ma
tlonal commander of the American Le-
glon, already has named committee
to confer with the G. a. r. and Span
ASH War Veterans on the project, and
resolution will be adopted at the con-
ventIon inviting Confederate Veterans
to participate. 1t is virtually certain
that such an amalgamution will be
sanctioned.
Would End Political Charges
Legion leaders point out that the
ama!gamation not only would be bcne-
ticial to all veterans but would stop cf-
fectlyel " all charges that the legion is
controlled BY one political party.
Among the foreign guests who will
attend the convention are Humbert
Isaac, vice-pres sident Of L'Union Ma
tonale de Combatants of France, with
a membership Of 100000 French fight
ing men; Henri de Seneschal, president
OF the Federation of French Veterans.
with a membership of 100000; Major
Royal, of the British Great " ar Vet
erans. with hundreds OF thousands of
members. and Belgian and Italian vet
erans representing the federations Of
those countries.
General Marie Emile Fayolle, Mar
shal Foch's envoy to the conventia3,
and Nice-Admirel Sir William I.owther
Grant, representing the British govern
ment, are said to De in sympathy with
the analgamation plan.
To-day was taken up with committee
meetings on the eligibility Of delegates