New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19
WHAT NATIONAL GUARD NEEDS.

THAT depends upon the adversary" he
| replied, thoughtfully. 80 far as the army
| is concerned, much has appeared I'm the
! public press concerning its organic de-
fciencies. | do not care to speak on the
subject Certain it is, however, that the
standard of the personnel OF officers and
men is magnificent.
I II have already said much about the ma
tional guard and its standard OF efficiency.
Speaking broadly what We lack is a moro
perfect organization and numbers. The
average man in the street who has not
studied history and reflected upon its teach
ings. takes for granted the continuance OF
our form Of government and the power Of
the government to protect its rights and
interests and the rights and interests OF Its
, citizens
THAT feeling OF security has prevailed
among peoples at various stages in history.
only to be followed by humiliation and loss
by reason OF lack Of preparedness to main.
tain the rights and honor Of the govern.
ment in some unexpected crisis
Reflect for moment upon the Titanic
disaster. 1t now seems inconceivabIe that
a great steamer should be permitted to
cross the ocean laden with Passengers
without sufficient boats TO rescue them In
the event Of disaster Before the accident
II seemed inconceivabe that any such ac-
cident could befall so powerful a ship. but
The inconceivabe happened. and through
lack of preparedness great loss of life re-
suited
1--WE as Americans are interested in the
safety Of another ship, and that is the ship
oil state. II is sailing along peacefully
enough at the present time, but that IL will
meet during the progress OF its passage
through future history grave obstacles,
some Of which, II is possible, may result IN
disaster to it certainly is possible and even
not improbable.
1T is necessary for us to insure our ship.
This is accomplished by military prepared
ness. The ship Of state may, OF course be
overinsured. but, on the other hand, the in
surance carried may be insufficient. X r.
the opinion OF the best military thought IN
this country to-day that our ship OF state
Is insufficienty insured Public sentiment
should be aroused before il is too late to
the end that a reasonable insurance may
be provided"
Asked II he thought public opinion IN this
country was well informed on military mat
ters. the general said emphatically:
mo. l do not.
IF charged with permitting this coun.
try to be insufficiently safeguarded so
far as military preparedness is concerned
the average American will say that We
can raise hundreds of thousands OF vol
unteers at moments notice and points
with pride to the magnificent lighting
qualities OF the volunteers produced by
the Civil War. and stops there.
The average man fails TO realize that
the efficient volunteers of the Civil War
were the result Of several years spent in
the sternest school OF war-that is to
say. war itself. Their military cducs-
ton was not only acquired at cost
which staggered that generation, but the
school itself was made possible only be-
cause the military education Of the enemy
was being gained I'm the same manner.
I'm other words, the inefhciency. mex
perience and lack Of discipline. organiza-
ton and training Of the Northern armies
were neutralized by the same defects IN
the Southern armies. The truth Il that
IN the beginning both sides were little
-