Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-05-26
MILITARY WEAK
ness OF COAST
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ties. A landing effected al either
place, the fall OF San Francisco would
be inevitable.
Il may go 30 far as to say that
every important city. every defended
harbor in this country could be cap
tured without a single gun now in
stalled being afforded opportunity to
Are hostile shot,
Moreover this Is as true OF the
Atlantic coast as II is OF the Pacific,
Boston or New York or Washington
might be taken by any Of several
powers without shot from the hea-
Wy guns emplaeed for their defense.
II do not question the wisdom OF
the installation Of coast defenses but
| question seriously the wisdom OF
installing them without adequate
preparations for their defense from
the rear and before mobile forcl
sufliclent to discourage the thoughts
OF invasion IL created.
Eve have for Its size the most
expensive military establishment In
the world. In proportion to expendi-
lures we have the least efficient
The fault lies not In It's personnel, but
In its organization.
What is peculiarly necessary with
US to prevent invasion Is not so much
material as men, trained and In con-
slant readiness, A few trained men
may prevent invasion where millions
of unframed men cannot drive the In
Vader out.
"The Interest Of the world now
centers in the Pacific ocean. OF
what shall occur there during the
next half century. further than that
i 1t Is likely to be the pivot OF the
worlds commercial aud political acti-
! vitles, no man is wise enough TO say,
but 1t needs no prophet to assure us
that In whatever takes place we shall
be unavoldahly Involved.
/ THE Pacific states feel with an
earnestness unknown In the farther
east that the degrees OF readiness Of
this country to resist attack should
be known, and IL II be found that this
degree Is insufficient, then whatever
steps are necessary 10 assure rea'
sonable immunity should be taker
without delay.
THAT victory has rested finally
with us in every war we have waket
Is proof to as In our blindness tha
victory viii always rest with us IL
the end, hope earnestly that 1t may
be, but believe with equal earnest
ness that II war were to come II
the near future with anyone Of tbs
great powers, a humiliating detea
would be our portion.
1T Is two years now since diner
ences with the subjects of an orienta
power. domiciled on the Pacific coas
reached pitch that threatened seri
Gus International difficulties. II 4
believed by all men OF the PaciG,
coast that these differences we're sus
pended, not settled.
''No less an authority than tn
chairman OF the military COMMITTEES
OF this house Is reported In the pub
lie press to have admitted that tn
J capture Of the coast cities by a for
elEn power was clearly possible, an
, that twenty more regiments OF moblt
! troops are Immediately necessary
; But he added that this body woul,
I not create the additional regiment
I until the war was upon US. do no
! like 20 believe this, do not like {
, believe that the chairman OF the CON
mlttee most directly concerned In GU
military preparedness. believes In tn
lnadeuuacy OF our preparations, an
! sim has made no recommendation
to this body for their increase.
/ Has 900, 900 Trained soldiers.
"The greatest Of oriental powers
: Il is well known. has over a miiilo
/ subjects who are trained soldiers
! she controls sea transportation avail