Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05

ing a proper army, a proper navy and
suitable fortific3tfons upon the mainland
of the United States and in its depend
encies. e.se
Capable Army Needed
We should have an army so organized,
and so differed, as 10 be capable in time
of emergency in cooperation with the
national militia, and under the provisions
of a proper national volunteer law, rapid
ly to expand into force sufficient to re-
sist all probable invasion from abroad
and to furnish a respectable expedition
airy force, If necessary, in the mainte-
nance of our traditional American policy
which bears the name of President Mon
roe.
Our fortifications are vet in a state OF
: only partial completeness, and the NUM-
Der OF men to MAJ them is insufficient.
In a few years. however. the usual an
nuaI appropriations for OUT coast de-
fenses both on the mainland and in the
dependencies. will make them sufficient
to resist all direct attack and by that
, time we may hope that the men to man
them will be provided as a necessary
adjunct. The distance of our shores
from Europe and Asia of course reduces
the necessity for maintaining under
arms a great army, but it does not take
away the requirement of mere prudence,
that we should have an army sufficient
ly large and so constituted as to form
a nucleus out of which a suitable force
can quickly grow.
What has been said OF the army may
be affirmed in even a more emphatic
way of the navy. a modern navy can
not be improvised. 1t must be built
and in existence when the emergency
arises which calls for it's use and opera
ton. My distinguished predecessor has
in many speeches and messages set out
with great force and striking language
the necessity for maintaining strong
navy commensurate with the coast line.
the governmental resources and the for
eign trade of our nation: and l wish to
reiterate all the reasons which he has
presented in favor Of the policy of MAIN
tanning a strong navy as the best con-
servator of our peace with other nations
and the best means of securing respect
for the assertion of our rights. the de-
Tense of our interests and the exercise
of our influence in international mat
tiers. .- -.
Policy for Ward Peace.
Our international policy is always to
promote peace. We shah enter into any
war with a full consciousness of the
awful consequences that it always ell
tails. whether successful or not. and we.
of course. shall make every effort. con-
.sistent with national honor and the
highest national interest, to avoid a re-
sort to arms. We favor every instru-
mentality like that of The Hague trl-
bunal and arbitration treaties made
with view to it's use in all interna-
tional controversies, in order to main
tain peace and to avoid war But we
should be blind to existing conditions.
and should allow ourselves to become
foolish idealists. If we did not realize
that with all the nations OF the world
armed and prepared for war. we must
be ourselves in a similar condition. in
order to prevent other nations from
taking advantage of us ana of our in
ability to defend our interests and as
sert our rights with a strong hand. In
the international controversies that are
likely to arise in the Orient, growing
out of the question of the open door
and other issues. the United States can
maintain her interests intact and can
secure respect for her just demands.
She will not be able to do so, however.
il it is understood that she never in
! tends to back up her assertion of right
and her defense of her interest by any
! thing but mere verbal protest and
diplomatic note. For these reasons, the
expenses of the army and navy and or
coast defenses should always be con-
sidered as something which the govern