Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 295, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1915 — RESOLUTIONS FAVOR ADEQUATE DEFENSE [ARTICLE]

RESOLUTIONS FAVOR ADEQUATE DEFENSE

William B. Austin Heads iCdmmittee That Recommends Steps to Be Taken For Preparedness.

A meeting of the committee on national defense, appointed by Mayor William Hale Thompson, was held at the Hotel LaSalle, Dec. 4th, to hear the report of the sub-committee appoined by Hon. William J. Calhoun, chairman, for the purpose of drawing up resolutions and formulating plans for assisting the National Security League in the securing of new members and in promoting its campaign* in the interest of preparedness for national defense.

The report, which had the concurrence of all the members of the subcommittee consisting of W. B. Austin, chairman, L. A. Busby, Hobart Chatfield-Taylor, Edward E. Gore, Judge Charles A. McDonald, and Clifford Arrick, secretary, is as follows: First; that this committee believes that the National Security League and the Navy League have been and are rendering a most patriotic service, and rendering it intelligently and earnestly; that the men who compose the membershiip of these two organizations are actuated only by the loftiest motives, and without further aim than the protection and preservation of our country and institutions.

“Second; that this committee approves the platform adopted at the national convention of the National Security League, held at Chicago, Nov. 27th, 1915, being as follows: “ First; that the complete recommendations of * the navy general board and general staff of the army be made public at once for the information of the people. “Second; that Congress be urged to create promptly a permanent council of national defense, and that the duties of this council cover all matters pertaining to the complete defense of the United States. “Third; that the navy be strengthened at once to a size adequate for the defense of the nation and for the fulfillment of our national obligations.

“Fourth; that the necessary personnel of the navy be authorized at once to man existing vessels and that additional personnel needed with each new vessel be authorized, together with the necessary reserve. Fifth; that a mobile army be authorized of sufficient strength to repel any expeditionary landing force, and that the army be organized in accordance with modern scientific methods with the sole view to efficiency and economy. “Sixth; that an ample reserve army be authorized as the secondary line of defense and special arrangements made to secure and instruct a suitable number of officers for such reserve army; that adequate provision be made for reserve material, ammunition, and supplies for both army and navy, and that proper laws be enacted to enable the United States to control all military resources when required; and, further, that adequate provision be made to develop the national guard to the highest degree of efficiency, and that steps be taken to ultimately develop an efficient armed citizenry from the present unorganized miiltia. “Seventh; we recommend that the national consciousness and spirit of true patriotism be fostered and developed through education in school and college, and in every walk of life, to the end that our citizens may ungrudingly make the sacrifices indispensable to the successful execution of any program of national deEighth; that congress be urged to give that consideration to aeronautics to which its service in the present war entitles it. “Third; that this committee believes that since the imperative and compelling need of the United States is a strong navy and an adequate army; that expenditures for river and harbor improvements, except for such projects as are now under way and nearing completion, should for the present be discontinued for the best interests of the general welfare and that representations to this effect be made to both houses of congress. “Fourth; that this committee make strong representations to congress favoring the enactment of such legislation, as shall, with the least possible delay, result in the acquisition of adequate means of defense on sea and land. “Fifth; that this committee urge the National Security League to suggest to its members that they personally correspond with the member of congress from the district in which they live, and with the senators from their state, to the end that favorable action may be taken upon such measures proposed for better national defense as meet the views Mid receive the endorsement of the League throughout the United States, and, further, that this committee should address communications to both houses of congress, such communicaions to receive the signature of each of the members of the committee, urging upon congress the enactment of such national defensive legislation. “Sixth; that this committee petition the governor of Illinois that, at Mk tarliert W«vtnienße, he will ap-

point a committee, representative of the various counties of the state of Illinois, for the purpose of furthering the objects of the National Security League in said counties and throughout the State. "Seventh; that this committee shall at all times hold itself in readiness and be willing to give assistance in determining through consultation and full co-operation any questions that may arise upon which the judgment of this committee may be sought by the National Security League, or by any one else. “Eighth; that each member of this committee be requested to obtain at least fifty members, who are willing to enroll themselves in the National Security League, and failing to secure such number of members to contribute to the funds of the League a minimum sum of fifty (SSO) dollars, in lieu of the proceeds of such membership not obtained. “Ninth; that there be appointed a committee on publicity of five membens, to be selected by the chairman. “Tenth; that there be selected from this committee a sub-committee to whom shall be entrusted the duty of taking such measures as are most effective for increasing the membership of the National Security League. This sub-committee to be appointee by the chairman of the committee.” On motion of Congressman Fred A. Britten, seconded by Mr. LaFayette Markle, the report, as read, was unaniously adopted.