THE ARMY PANIC IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2332, 14 December 1914, Page 5

THE ARMY PANIC IN AMERICA

'A PAPER MILITIA. Washington, December 11. Mr. Daniels, Secretary of tho Navy, giving evidence before the Naval Investigating Committee, said that the United States ought to have a naval division in Pacific waters, as .necessary for coast defence.. Since the opening nf the Panama Canal it was possible to transfer a division of . warships permanently. Ho said that when the war was over all countries would bo burdened with debt. He expected to see a great revulsion against all war, and probably some action taken whereby the navies would be used merely to execute agreements reached between the countries. Mr. A. P, Gardiner) speaking' on" the floor of the' House of Representatives, aroused much excitement by hotly declaring that if broke out to-day the United* States would find its coast defences unable to make an hour's fight owing to lack of ammunition. Mr. Fitzgerald insinuated that Mr. Gardiner was merely seeking notoriety. The defences were ample for their purpose. Mr. Fronty assorted that a force of trained squirrel shooters would be adequate to prevent a hostile force landing on American soil. Brigadier-General Mills (Chief of the Division .for Militia Affairs), in his annual report, states ( that the United States militia forces largely exist on paper. They are 16,000 below strength, and of little tise for military purposes. (Rcc. December 13, 2 p.m.) Washington, December 11. Senator Works, speaking before the Senate Committee, deprecated the wide controversial' publicity over the American defences, pointing out that tho European nations" were shrouding the details of their armies and navies m mystery. Mr. Daniels (Secretary to the Navy), replying to questions, admitted that the Navy Department had been unable to execute the construction of a satisiac--1«K, airship, . *'" ~~ ' '