The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-21
Our Defenseless Condition.

A contemplation of the figures printed
on the sixth page, showing the strength
of the British army and navy as COM
pared to the visible defense OF the
United States, must have the erect OF
dampening the warlike enthusiasm OF
saneuine patriots about us who are
possessed of burning desire to wipe
the English from the face of the earth
AS the figures demonstrate, the United
States regular army numbers only
about $4,000 men, and by rallying the
national guard this country would be
able to place only 114,93O equipped SOL
diers in the field on short notice.
Against this force England can place
1 .O39. 76O trained warriors. The Ameri-
can navy numbers GA vessels, all told,
while Great Britain's flag floats over
sol boats of the most approved designs
This spectacle not only illustrates the
necessity Of proceeding with caution
in dealing with the Venezuelan ques-
ton, but 1t also demonstrates the need
of a standing army for America. For
the past twenty years through the ef-
forts Of reform and economic dema-
gogues and sentmentalists. who pro-
pose to reply wholly upon arbitration to
settle questions Of national Importance.
the United States army has been
dwindling away and the implements of
defense in which every nation should
take pride have gone to decay. Our
forts and coast defenses have crumbled
and fallen away and our standing army
has been reduced by Democratic re-
trenchment to handful of men scarce
ly able to- control the wandering saw
ages Of the west The ship-building
industry had, until recently, become
one of the lost arts, while the ancient
hulks Of, other days that constituted
the United States navy have rotted on
dry docks for want of proper atten-
ton. BY constant reduction of ex-
penses in the ship-building and other
departments under government patron
age thousands of artisans have been
thrown out of employment and cast
adrift to help swell the army of tramps
that infest the rural districts or breed
anarchy and disorder in the large
cities. 1t is no exaggeration to say that
the results of the action of Democratic
tariff tinkers and reformers who have
sought to save money for the nation by
reducing government expenses, have
been largely responsible for the unrest
u{n h0y hn hard fft,nnc nf ho
past quarter of a century. In addition
to the suffering and general disorder
caused by this penny wise and pound
foolish policy this country is placed
| in position that would make it hazard
Gus for the government to invite war
from any source, most of all Great
| Britain.
1t is of no use at present to mourn
for the mistakes Of the past. but 1t is to
be hoped that the facts of the present
situation will open the eyes Of congress
to the necessity Of providing an army
and navy that would make some sort
of showing on more serious occasions
than dress parade. A standing army
of one hundred thousand men would
not be too large for q country of the
magnitude of the United States. The
military service would afford occupa-
ton for many Of the unemployed. The
revival of the ship-building industry
and the manufacture of government
armament would also serve to stimu-
late trade in many sections and have
a healthy effect upon business every
where. Whatever may be the outcome
Of the Venezuelan controversy 1t will
probably prove beneficial IL It has the
effect Of impressing upon economic
cranks and sentimentalists the need Of
J needing the injunction 'in times OF
peace, prepare for war"