The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-03-09
ARE WE READY TO
MEET A BIG WAR
Statesmen At Washington.
Discuss the Condition of
the Army and Navy
COAST DEFENCE DEFECTIVE
PHILIPPINE TARIFF BILL
CAUSES SOME WORRY AND THE
STATEHOOD BILL A GREAT
DEAL.

WASHINGTON. March s, 1906
Whether or not this country is ready for
war is proyokin considerable discussion
among the national statesmen and the
pertinent message of President Roosevelt
on the subject of coast defences is
worthy of prompt consideration. Coast
sdefenees are constructed at heavy ex-
pense but they are essential to the pro-
toctien of a country with a long coast line
like that along the Atlantic seaboard. If
the country is to have such defenses the
government cannot afford to be parsim-
onious in the expenditure for the fortif-
cations. They should be built substan-
tally and for future generations or not
at ali.
In Connection with this question of coast
defenses the question of men to man the
fortifcations should be considered 1t
has time and again been suggested, so
far as the State of New Jersey is con
cerned, that there snould be a regiment of
artillery in the National Guard of the
State. This is a splendid suggestion,
but as vet the State military authorities
do not seem to have paid any attention
to it. The handling of the large modern
guns with which the twentieth century
coast defenses are equipped is a science
in itself. and requires men who have been
carefully trained in this work, and it was
done at Sandy Hook in the time of the
Spanish-American war, when a battalion
of the Third New Jersey Volunteers be-.
came expert in the handling of the big
guns there. but how much better to have
the men trained and ready at any and
all times.
While there IS no question as to the
general desire for peace. yet it must he
admitted that this country is already
committed to he policy of preparedness,
and hat naturally implies an army and
navy in readiness at all times. and coast
fortifications that would be forniaa bic
enough to withstand the assault of an
invading feet Therefore. it is now too
late for the United States to fake back
ward step in this matter. and it behooves
Congress to make the necessary appto-
priations to properly strengthen the var
ious Notifications along the Atlantic and
Pacific. seacoasts. and to construct others
where it may be deemed necessary.
Much interest is displayed, outside of
army circles in the disquieting rumors
that are heard from conditions in China.
1t is believed by some of the Congress-
men that the policy of being prepared is
one that should be lived up to in the
Philippines because there may be urgent
need for considerable force of Ameri-
can troops in China at the most unex-
pected moment. Army officers who have
been in China declare that the ind.ca-
tions Of future trouble are such as to
warrant the gravest concern. and they
believe that the United States will in all
probability be called upon TO once again
take a hand in affairs in the Orient
Senator Lodge is having troubles of
his own" with the Payne Philippine tar
if bill. There is no doubt that he could
bering the bill before the Senate for con-
sideration if he thought there would be
a majority in its favor. He is afraid,
however, to test the Senate on the bill.
as he is dubious about the outcome. OPP
ponents of the BILL and the insurgents
in particular. gleefully declare that there
is not the slightest chance of getting the
measure through the Senate It is be-
lieved that President Roosevelt would
like TO see the bill go before the Senate,
and Secretary Taft is likewise interested.
One of the objections to the eonsidera-
ton Of the Philippine tariff bill at this
time is the fear that tariff debate
would be preeip;tated. It is deemed a
dangerous subjec: Su the eve of Con-
greesional campaign. and many Of the
Re publican Senators on this account are
not at all anxious to see the bill brought
up at this time. They would prefer to
have it sleep in the committee until next
winter and then bring it out and pass It.
which. HIS said. could be done. part'cu-
larly. as it would be after the Congress
sional elections.
The 'tus-of-war'' viii come when the
Statehood bill goes to conference. The
insurgents are working hard for that
auspicious tiHp. They polled fortythpee
votes against the bin when it passed the
House, srhey CLAIM. thar this number win
be augmented when Ehe House takes up