New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-23
NTLITiRTSM.


What some philosophers have called inc non.
military basis is that upon which the 'h'''"
States has been organized and thus far HILL
tanned small Army, not large enough ~
threaten liberty at any point or time' Il Nav!
Dot big enough to want aggressive warfare io'
the sake Of promotion and prize money VA
ton engaged in It's own affairs ana not desr'h-
70 rule the outside world. has been inc very
basis Of American thinking for n century. 40
we change or Is there danger OF change! Hs
this is the question nj the bottom OF all ahAie'!
about the consequences Of the existing war; II
NAV as we'll be fairly faced
That n larger Navy will come is plain. Naval
officers have never been politicians. nor nave
they cxcrtcd political influence In this country
Their life Is appointed and secure, their honors
and emoumcnts. won by fidelity TO the Nation
STAY with them while they live, and the most
nonuIor of them would not wish 10 exchange
his place for chance Of being President.
Army officers have sometimes been popular
candidates But no army that this war Is like
" to call forth will bring into the service enough
men to affect public opinion materially Inc
standing Army, whether large or small VIII III
ways be viewed with some jealousy by inc
vost,v more numerous volunteer force, which
b,s not rho conference necessary to influence
affairs. When nearly million men were mus
tered out Of the service after the CIVIL war there
vos not the slightest trace OF predOmlnnnce or
thc military over the civil element In political
affairs. excepting rs the people OF all sorts were
disposed TO honor their most successful delehd
ers The country will never have another war
employing so large n proportion OF It's popuia
ton. IT is probable, and will never be so near
militaris,n as result Of popular suffrage as II
was then.
Yet the fighting spirit has been aroused Ma
val victories M Manila and Santiago, the VIC
tory Of tho Army before Santiago, have klndied
n zeol beyond expression. Yet II one watches
closely. there Is not trace of desire TO conquer
other countries or grasp other territory thhh
that which the war with Spain naturally places
nj our disposal Even that territory many WISH
10 have rellnquished. Not one trace oil inc
spirit of mllitarlsm can be found by nm VINO
studies public opinion In this country most close
w. Whether the Philippines or Cuba are 10 ne
held nine men out Of ten have no real OPINION
except that possibly they must be held Ana
vet the fighting spirit Is genuine ana strong
ANY trace OF Interference with American rights
by any foreign nation whatever instantly raises
the thought I'm the minds Of seventy-hve million
neonle whether that kind OF injury needs atten-
ton.
Militant democracy Is not Ike other militant
phascs Of society in this. that It's only motive
for fighting Is that Of the most peaceful ana IN
dustrlous citizens There has been much SAID
nj the unreadiness Of Americans. After thlS
wear probably Americans will not be equally
unready again for thirty years or more. because
tho grown men OF today have learned what the
Vatlon's safety needs Probably this Nation
will never again have ms weak n Navy as II had
six months ago. But neither the Navy nor the
ARMY will ever he strong enough to swerve the
oulot md Industrious millions from their ideas
~ rl.hf. And It "a probable that neither will
over be weak enough 10 invite any foreign
Power to look upon "A brush with America as
n convenient bit OF fun.