New-York tribune., 1911-04-02
To Keep Uncle Sam from Being "Stung"

Grafton before Congress and Congress VIII
have certain guarantee that measures
| presented are not the outgrowth OF purely
professional enthusiasm, or the idea oc
| those whose minds are constantly devoted
TO the study of military questions. There is
feeling in Congress and among the pco-
pie that officers Of the army and navy are
apt to request too much for their respective
services.
There is general feeling in our coy-
ernment that the technical representatives
that is. the officers OF the army and navy.
are likely TO be q little extreme IN their
views; and we believe that through a coun-
ell Of this kind, meeting as often may
be necessary and fully discussing the na-
tional military questions, we shall he able
to shape general policy. and once this
general policy is adopted we shall be able
TO make our plans and ask for appropr.a-
tions in accordance with the approved gem
eral scheme.
For instance. we have TO take up very
soon the question of fortifying the ila-
waiian Islands and garrisoning those ISL
ands. We ought TO have some general poll
icy; we have none 1t present. The War
Department Is building powerful forthca-
tions. the navy is constructing large naval
station, and I'VE are acquiring and have
acquired certain reservations. and VIC arc
now discussing whether or not We shall
have a large or neGium sized garrison
there.
THE situation is one OF great importance.
and before We go TO Congress asking for
an appropriation of. perhaps. Sl.coocn 10
build a large military post and 10 acquire
additional land 1t is matter which oush;
TO be thoroughly thought out and discussed
In committee such as | apeak OF. in which
tie naval features Of tho question are
brought mp the military aspect studied audi
the Representatives. i'm Congress permitted,
TO so into the matter in great detail and -
become thoroughly acquainted with ;he
military and naval needs of the situation.
and either agree TO support the policy or
not.
This procedure will result in grea, econ
omy and In systematic and regular prog
ress toward n definite end. At present In
the absence Of such a policy. there IS !
general struggle for appropriations. CEN
gress is more or less in the dark as 10 20
ultimate object. and the whole procedure IS
unnecessarily expensive and very unsatis-
factory"
AS illustrating this phase of General
Woods statement. the appropriations of
the last two years for the army and navy
are fllumnativc. For the last year con-
gress gave the army sa5.oCo,eo and the navy
slSl, 10000. This year it gave the army So
10000 and the navy sl2s.O0o,OoO. TO be added
TO this is 81 10000 in the two years for
fortifications
In the two years the total appropriations
for defence amount TO si56oO0,01o. All OF
this money. while IL was expended uron
the best advice and counsel obtainablc, for
the general maintenance and deyelopmers
OF the army and navy. was asked for anu
spent without having any general military
policy to work upon, such as all LEADING
foreign nations have
II can assure YOU. from my study OF th'S
thing. that an army OF three times the en-
cheney and of very considerably greater
strength can be supported well INSIDE 81,
the appropriation Congress is now max
ing" said General Wotherspoon. president
or the Army War College. where all stra'
.egic plans are worked out
II consider this the most important OF"
in regard To the military efficiency OF tue
country that has ever come under my oo'
servation. | say that from the standroh'
only of the army The great trouble we
Ind AT the War COLLEGE is in aSceriaining
what the policy Of Congress is in regard
tn military affairs We can only dedhcs
that from its legislative acts. II We can
crystalline those into few sentences,
would be this. that Congress expects. ca