Part 20 (1/2)
Of course, he realizes that he must have the best practical advice obtainable in thisfor it from every available source In fact, it is known that the best minds of the various departments of the Government, both of the Army and the Navy, are now and have been at work on these i advice from the men in those departments who have been most directly in touch with the new conditions of defence that have been evolved out of modern experience He not only wishes advice froe of actual ht from those who are able to understand and comprehend the altered conditions of land and naval warfare He wishes the Navy to stand upon an equality with the most efficient and serviceable
As to the Ar to incorporate in his next ard to the develop of the citizens of the United States to arms which, while in every way consistent with American traditions and national policy, will be of such a character as to commend itself to every patriotic and practicalwith the Secretary of War and his professional associates, who, it is understood, have reached soly iramme that will be definite and positive, and wishes to have the infor the matter before the committees of the Senate and the House
Conte, which was prepared by the President, but issued over nificance of which was not apparent at the ti been dispatched, the President felt that it was best to drop further discussion of the matter for the present, as far as he was concerned He will be free now to devote his time to a full consideration of a htful of, that is a reasonable prograraardless of present-day conditions
It is known that the President has been considering this important matter in all its aspects, and has been in touch with the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy regarding it It is also known in official circles here that the President had taken steps before leaving for Cornish to instruct the Army and Navy departramme of national defense in preparation for the presentation of his views to Congress at the proper tiramme based on the most practicable lines obtainable from the departments and it is said that the best minds in the departments are at present at work on the subject He hopes that the programme will express the best traditions of the country and not lose sight of ramme that will be definite and positive, and wishes to have the infor the matter before the committees of the Senate and the House
On July 21, 1915, he addressed the following letters to the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, respectively:
THE WHITE HOUSE WAshi+NGTON
July 21, 1915
MY DEAR MR SECRETARY:
I have been giving scarcely less thought than you yourself have to the question of adequate preparation for national defense, and I ae to Congress a progra the develop of our citizens to arms which, while in every way consistent with our traditions and our national policy, will be of such a character as to commend itself to every patriotic and practical mind
I know that you have been much in conference with your professional associates in the department and that you have yourself coly iton for a few days, but I would be very h to prepare for ramme, with estimates, of what you and the best-inforht to undertake to do I should like to discuss this programme with you at as early a time as it can be made ready Whether we can reasonably propose the whole of it to the Congress immediately or not we can deter now is to know and know fully e need
Congress will certainly welcome such advice and follow it to the limit of its opportunity
Cordially and faithfully yours, WOODROW WILSON
HON LINDLEY M GARRISON, Secretary Of War
THE WHITE HOUSE WAshi+NGTON
July 21, 1915
MY DEAR MR SECRETARY:
I have been giving, as I aht to the raress at its next session, and I would like to discuss the whole subject with you at the earliest possible date
But first we ed to you if you would get the best minds in the department to work on the subject: I mean the men who have been most directly in contact with actual hly comprehended what the Navy must be in the future in order to stand upon an equality with the most efficient and ramme by them formulated in the most definite way Whether we can reasonably propose the whole of it to the Congress immediately or not we can deter now is to know fully e need
Congress will certainly welcome such advice and follow it to the liraressive developreat defensive arm of the nation and should be of such a kind as to commend itself to every patriotic and practical ton in a few days and shall be glad to take this important matter up with you at your early convenience
Cordially and faithfully yours, WOODROW WILSON
HON JOSEPHUS DANIELS, Secretary of the Navy