The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-17
The War Bugaboo.


What with ''conhdentiaP' reports of
the Secretary OF War. the demands Of
Congress to know more, the air OF mys-
terry as If some great secret were being
kept from the people, and the rather
sensational discussion, In the House, a
timid citizen might be excused il he felt
that the United States was in sad and
unprotected condition. ready to fan like
ripe plum into the mouth OF any nation.
greedy for conquest, that wanted to come
and take US.
Figures do not lie-at least. not often
and ii is always so impressive TO drag
out lot of figures. The experts tell us
that we need 10000 men to defend our
coasts. while we have available only
1850 Is not that dreadful? Why. the
Secretary of War says that It is his
opinion that we should have at all times
trained, mobile force of regulars and
organized militia approximating in
strength $4,000 officers and men," This
standing army that We need TO protect
US would only cost something Ike $780,
100000 a year; but what is a little thing
like that to a country that needs pro-
lection. and which is so prosperous that
the kick about high prices and small in
comes is heard from every city in the
land?
We have spent lot of money for arms
and ammunition and men since the
Spanish war, but it does not seem to
have amounted to anything. According
20 the alarmists. we are more unprepared
than ever. It if not Mr.. Hobson, but the
Secretary of War, who estimates" that
it would be possible for a frst-class
power to dispatch on a single expedition
10000 troops across the ocean in from
ten to eighteen days, land them on our
shores, and in another twenty days back
them up with another hundred thou
sand, Gen. Chaffee told Representative
McLachlan that the United States was
as helpless as a baby'-that Japan could
easily make a conquest of the entire sec
ton west of the Rockies Admiral
Evans says the same thing, practically.
We are asked to give due attention and
consideration TO such talk as this be-
cause it is the opinion of experts" If
the matter is really considered seriously.
It may result in Congress being STAN
peded into making unusual appropria-
tions for the army so that we may all
feel safer. And yet common sense
should teach us to reflect that for a cen
tury and a half we have been similarly
unprotected, and that the first-class pow
ers-as greedy and aggressive all that
time as they are now-have left US Sc
yerely alone. Not since the war of 1872
has a foreign soldier on mischief bent
placed his feet on American soil.
We are quite willing to agree with
Secretary OF War Dickinson and the ex-
perts of the army that as a nation we
are not prepared for war We also be-
lieve, however. that the great majority OF
the sensible citizens of the United States
do not want the country to be prepared
for war, if preparation means a burden
OF militarism such as Germany and
France and other European nations stag
ger under
We have the money to build all the
fortresses we want along our coasts and
to pay the men to operate them; we have
the cash to keep a standing army of
100000 men if we want them, but, do we
want them? Cannot we. conscious of
our own inherent strength. the strength
that comes from a population of one
hundred million free people. be content
with the task that is given US OF increas-
ing our trade advancing our industry,
educating ourselves, and making the ma
ton strong in other than warIike ways?
pulses; We seek no coaquests abroad,
and. pursuing the paths of peace and
prosperity, we need fear no aggression.
II, for the national honor. to prevent in
justice. or for the protection OF cur peo-
pie. war should become necessary. surely
We have faith enough in the American
character 10 know that we would front
it boldly and without fear.
All the elements of a possible war
scare seem to be present. but firmly we
believe that sterling common sense will
keep US in the right road and away from
that curse, so repugnant to true Amer
lean ideals-militarism
Even the humblest American girl may