New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-01
ARMY AND NAVY hottest
Hay DeprecateS Criticism of
Army All Ready for War.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. August


READY FOR WAR, SAYS HAY.-Tak-
ing issue with the Secretary Of War; Rep
resentative Hay. chairman of the House
Military Committee, said that IL is neither
necessary nor proper TO engage In cam
paign Of criticism against the army. He
is of the opinion that newspaper agitation
TO the effect that the country is not pre-
pared for war and the army is UNFIT TO
cope with that emergency is the result OF
an active and concerted effort to arouse
public sentiment I'm favor Of an increase in
the military establishment. Congress. he
said to-day, will not consent to any APP
preciable increase I'm military expendi-
lures. He believes. also. that the army is
better prepared to-day than it has ever
been to engage in war.
ut seems 10 me 10 be the part OF
patriotism rather TO build up and make
| still more efficient what we have now than
TO run down the army which has made
tremendous strides i'm the last ten years
| I'm all branches Of the military art" said
! Mr.. Hay. 1T should be borne I'm mind
that II the billion dollars expended in that
period on the army has not produced more
! preparedness for war than is now being
alleged by those who should know better,
then we have reached the point where
Congress should cease TO make appro-
priatlons for the military establishment.
This may be accepted as an indication
| OF the policy OF the House Military Com
mttee toward all efforts by the War De-
! partment or from any other quarter to
! increase the army. Members Of the COM
mittee do not view with appreciation an
attempt TO influence army legislation by
the pretence that the army is in de-
plorable condition.
There is nothing more unwise than
this agitation which seeks 10 place he
United States in the class Of military ma
tons" said Mr Hay. The newspaper
campaign which is now being pursued,
evidently by those who are interested in
military expansion and by those who are
trying 10 brighten the country, is con-
Quoted for the purpose. mistaken in its
object and futile in its results. Of arous-
ing public sentiment In favor OF d large
standing army.
The suggestion made by some that We
.
ucable. for the reason that Congress IS
not willing TO appropriate the vast amount
OF money required for raising and main
tanning such a reserve. Men will not OBJ
ligate themselves for service I'm the re-
serve without compensation, and re-
serve on any other basis would be a fall
ure It would speedily terminate the
public career OF any Senator or Repre-
sentative who. IN Congress, makes an
appeal for CONSUMPTION or compulsory
military service in any form
That Is the inference to be drawn
| from the plea. now being vigorously adj
vanced. that We should have a one-year
term OF enlistment I'm the regular army
with requirement for three or four
( years additional service with the reserve
| That period with the regular force is
not sufficient for the training Of soldier,
and the rescryists will not obligate them
selves 10 answer the call Of the govern
ment unless they are paid for that readi-
ness 10 respond II VIII be much better
for the country and FOR the army 10 de-
pend upon soldiers who are trained and
Who arc able TO give several years TO
the military establishment. reposng our
faith I'm the militia or volunteers. or both,
as the case may be. in time OF war.
There g. 40 occasion 90 belittle the
state NJ our army which is better paid.
better housed. better clad and better
equipped than any other army in the
world II has the finest personnel, also
81 any army In the world. and this is duo
~ the liberal pay and allowances and
other forms OF compensation and the
ability OF officers and soldiers has demon
stratcd the wisdom OF this llberalIty.
we have q reserve supply OF war ma
teriaI In the way OF small arms. ammuni-
ton. field artillery clothing. equipment
and medical supplies. and each year Con
grcss appropriatcs large sum 10 In
crease this reserve stock. II Is not fair
10 the army, and certainly OF no advan-
toee to the military institution, TO pre-
tend that the army is lacking I'm any par