Evening star., 1924-07-27
COOLIDGE SCORED
ON DEFENSE TEST
Secretary of Peace Body
Says Many Patriotic Citi-
zens Will Ignore Event.

Frederick ]. Libby, executive sec
retary of the National Council for
the prevention of War, to whom
President Coolidge addressed a letter
wednesday objecting to the denomi-
nation of September IL as "mobili-
zation day" and the assumption by
Libby's organization that the national
defense test to be held then is "a
militaristic gesture" in a reply yes
terday abruptly contradicted the
President.
MIR. Libby fatty told the President
that many patriotic citizens" viii
pay no attention to the Nation $
efforts to test its defensive abilities
September IL, because they believe
that the wise national policy for our
country at this juncture" is to "ex-
press in concrete and practical forms
or cooperation spirit of audacioAs
friendliness"
Designed As Reminder.
In his letter to Mr.. Libby. Presi-
dent Coolidge frankly pointed out
that the proposed event was designed
solely TO remind the American peo-
pie Of their relations to and depend-
enee upon the Nations defense eslap-
lishments What is proposed for
September - is merely a compliancE
with the purposes of the national de-
fense law OF 1920" the President
wrote.
Referring to the Presidents state
ment, those who first attached II
September u, the term 'mobiliza-
tion day. and then proceeded to con
denim IT, have been utterly unfair
MIR. Libby replied that he had obtained
this appellation from The Army ana
Navy Register Of January s." After
quoting from a statement accreditel
to Secretary Weeks, too, Mr.. Libby
added:
The name, therefore. if undesir-
able. was at least given to the day
ed: "' Multitudes of your fe!-
low countrymen believe that war;
are no longer victories for any
ton, and that consequently our only
security lies in preventing war it
self; that as a measure for preveu-
tion of war increasing a nation y
military precautions tends only g.
precipitate the calamity it wouii
avert ="
CIimaHed by Coolidge Letter.
The Presidents letter. which
brought to a climax when it was pub
lished yesterday afternoon the con
troversy over the Governments pro
posal for observance of September !:
as Defense Day" was in reply to a
request from the National Council for
the Prevention of War for his Official
Endorsement of its three months
stop war. The request. combined with
the criticism of Defense Day" re-
suited in President Coolidge's rehuks.
Mr.. Coolidge declared he was and
ever had been ''unQualified1y sympa-
thetic with the aim and purpose TO
make war. SO nearly as might be, an
impossbility in this world but
added that such a hope and desire
was not inconsistent with his ap-
provaI of the program of defense
day.
Mr. Libby replied by thanking
President Coolidge for his letter and
expressed appreciation" of his
"efforts to diminish the danger of
tinued. 'the attention you give in
your letter to the national defense
test The storm of protest that IS
beginning to arise shows
that in this new military measure Is
felt to lie an issue that AFFECTS not
simply the approaching campaign, but
Americas fundamental policy IN
world relations"
Sees Ill Effects.
The psychology" of this "opposii-
ton" Mr. Libby described as partly
responsible to what is termed ths
| bad psychology" of holding such
! demonstration this year. Should other
| nations announce similar tests" he
added. the act would be regarded
| everywhere as bringing. the. world
! nearer another war As third
| reason he cited that il is being rec
ognized as thoroughly radical in
| novation
Mr.. Libby added. "many patriotic
peace and the World Court. but not
| for what he described as an unwise
national policy.
] Commenting on President Cool
| idge's letter to Libby, Paul !. Nc
Gahan. department commander OF
the District of Columbia department OF
the American Legion, SAID:
| Action Draws Attention.
| THE action of the President can
not help but direct natlon-wide at
tention to the propaganda methods
manner in which he declared the
methods employed by Libby and the
| members of his various organiza-
/ tions and their radical allies, to De
/ unfair and the emphasis that he
| placed upon the device OF mlSrepre-
| sentation' cannot help but make
many now affiliated with the whole
Libby outfit pause and consider ne
! fore they cooperate further.
| Libby makes definite mlsta1e-
| ment in his latest 'handout' when he
| declares that in some places the
American Legion will lead the move
ment." | have no hesitancy in say
| ing that the national organization
of the American Legion has not given
any indorsemen to the activities OF
| either the national council for pre-
| yention of war or of the women s
| league for International peace and
| freedom
"T-he American Legion knows well.
after careful investigation, the taint
Of communism and bolshevism that
makes these two movements n
menace to the United States"