Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1916 — REPRESENTATIVE MANN FAVORS PREPAREDNESS [ARTICLE]

REPRESENTATIVE MANN FAVORS PREPAREDNESS

Minority Leader of House Pleads For Non-Partisan Consideration of Defense Measures. Washington, Jan. 25.—Unqualified non-partisan support of military preparedness was urged today by Minority Leader Mann in a ringing speech on the floor of the house. He was heartily and repeatedly applauded by both sides of the charmber. Rep. Mann based his plea on the ground that it behooves the United States now to prepare for any eventualities that may come as a result of the European war. He declared that he saw no immediate danger of war and hoped that peace might prevail, but that the danger of the U. S. .being drawn into the present conflict or, one that might result from it was too great to be disregarded. “I have much more fear in the end of war with England than I have of war with Germany,” he said. That was his only comment on this phase of his subject. Later he declined to .elaborate on his remark. Mr. Mann urged no particular preparedness plan. He said he favored a standing army of 250,000 or 300,000 or even half a million men, better coast defenses and “a navy which will be able to defend us on the sea.” “I think that we ought to provide these great forces," said he in pleading for a non-partisan view of the question, “that it ought to be considered an emergency matter, entirely apart from the ordinary routine or expense of government, without regard to partisanship or party lines.” Touching upon the cost, Mr. Mann said it would be millions now but better than billions later.