Evening star., 1939-09-27
Legion Urges U. 5.
10 Provide Supplies
For 100000 Men
Preparedness Program
For Yeor Demanded:
Strong Defense Asked
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, Sept. 27.-The Amer
lean Legion demanded today the
Government adopt Immediately
program to provide raw materials
sufncient to maintain an Army and
Navy Of 1,0O0,00 men for at least q
year.
The report of the National De-
tense Committee which was adopted
by the 21st annual convention asked:
A Navy second to none.
That the Panama Canal and its
approaches be made impregnable.
A modified voluntary program of
military training for G. c. c. en-
rollees.
Increase of the Regular Army to
280, 900 and of the National Guard
to $4,000, their respective peacetime
strengths, and a subsequent removal
OF the numerical restrictions.
Alaska National Guard Urged.
Formation of a National Guard in
Alaska and prompt strengthening
of all defenses in the Northern ter
ritory.
Continued development of vigor-
GUS aeronautical program; a ban
upon the export of helium gas Ito
any country for any purpose; that
none but American citizens be en-
ployed in factories making airplane
parts, as precaution against
sabotage.
Robert j. Shaw of Iowa, chairman
of the National Defense Committee,
declared that the Nations prepared
ness must be strong enough to meet
any intended invader before an in
vasion begins
Other policy makers of the
Legion entered the convention
with "pronouncement" demand
ing that Congress continue in
session during the European war
crisis, but avoided specific recon-
mendation for neutrality legislation.
Following debate last night On a
subcommittee report, the conven-
ton Foreign Relations Committee of
81 adopted unanimously an express
sion of views relating to neutrality
and national preparedness, which
the personnel chose to designate
'pronouncement" rather than
resolution.
"The American Legion views with
greatest concern the apparently
widespread belief that this Nation
must inevitably become involved in
the present European conflict" the
pronouncement read.
Changing Times Cited.
I'VE not only believe that this Ma
ton need not become involved, but
insist and demand that the Presi-
dent and the Congress pursue
a policy that while preserving the
sovereignty and dignity of this Ma
ton will prevent involvement in this
conflict.
"The American Legion has always
strenuously advocated that this Ma
ton pursue policy OF neutrality
and peace. In the present world
crisis world conditions may change
so rapidly that pronouncement by
the American Legion at this time on
specific legislation may be wholly in
adequate in the near future"
The committee counseled Congress
to continue in session during the
European crisis and demanded that
appropriate action be taken to pre-
serve the peace of this Nation and
that our armed forces be expanded
Immediately to maintain our neu-
trality"
William Green. president of the
American Federation of Labor and
one OF several speakers, told the
Legionnaires that participation of
the United States in foreign war
would jeopardize the principles of
freedom and democracy.
Green Urges Isolation.
1--WE cannot send our millions Of
young men to be sacrificed abroad
on the field of battle in a senseless
and indefensible war without sub
jecting our social and institutional
life to a severe strain" he asserted
IN prepared address.
I'VE must protect and preserve
our national interests and our
democratic form of government. So
cial unrest. discomfort, resentment
against our Nation being involved in
a foreign war and the establishment
of autocratic control under the