The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-21
rs 0ARDNER RIOHT?


Europe's conflict has impressed
upon the American people the uncer-
tainty Of peace and the advisability Of
serious thought to military prepared
ness for war.
There IL nothing in the attitude OF
Americana to approve now. more than
formerly, the spirit of militarism
which IL primarily the cause Of the
impressive spectacle now unfolding;
but the impression that eternal peace
has spread its wings above the world
IL dispelled. America may. some
time. have to fight. Deeply as the
average citizen Of this country abhors
the thought Of war with an enlight-
ened and productive neighbor-country
from which we may have drawn some
Of our own best citixenry. he abhors
the thought Of national dishonor and
defeat more.
millions for defense, but not one
cent for tribute" starts the vibration
Of American patriotism tingling today
as surely AZ 1t did a hundred years ago
when that answer was hurled back at
the pirates of Alg.ers. America has
always contemplated itself az a keen.
swift blade. in time Of war: never
drawn save in honor nor sheathed in
dishonor. Easy victories over Mexico
inherent power which enabled US to
recover within a generation from the
terrific shock Of four years of Civil
war; the confidence that Americans
can rally to face any exigency with
us. as a nation, rrovincially ignorant
- S.H &~NA -
European military powers whose ener-
gies have been bent upon preparation
for real war. Seeing that efficiency,
we are appalled,.
And yet, war IL q sad and unproffta-
BILE occupation. Its gains are best
counted in tears and taxes Even the
victor. as promises to be the case now
in Europe, may return to his citadel.
too exhausted to resume successfully
his affairs Of peace. America has no
liking for 1t.
The wayfarer known to be armed
and alert is less liable to the attack
Of the thug. The blatant bully must
at all times be alert for an encounter
with another of his ilk. The peace
able undefended individual who trav-
els. as does America, with a fattening
purse, tempts violence.
The declaration Of the professional
army and navy man, published broad
cast this week, that I'VE haven't
enough of anything" is probably cor
rect. But it seems as dangerous to go
too heavily armed as to travel I'M
guarded. Our isolation from the
other powerful nations Of the world
removes us from the probability of
such crushing humiliation as has been
visited upon Belgium or upon such ir-
ritating Interruption Of industry as has
been experienced by Holland, Switzer-
land and Italy.
What seems to promise the best as
surance of security without involving
a limitless upbuilding of the hateful
power of militarism in the United
States, is the strengthening of the Ma
tiQnal Guard. An army of civilians,
a host of healthy young men who havh
acquired military training because It
represents an opportunity to better
themselves and to. whom military
training has not spelled loss Of free
dom or usefulness, more nearly ex-
presses the American idea.
No movement in behalf Of healthy
manhood ever held greater promise of
good results than has the Boy Scout
movement which cultivates honor,
self-reliance, efficiency and co-opera-
ton as does no other organised activ-
ity ever introduced to American youth.
The growth of city life in America
creates q demand for such opportuni-
ties for healthful recreation as is at
forded by service in the Boy Scout
brigade and the National Guard. These
organizations can profitably be knit
close by a spirit of national RESPONSE
bility and their membership SO extend
ed as to provide constant reservoir
of defensive strength for the nation
to draw upon in time Of need.
Enlisted men desert from the stand
ing army despite every thought for
prevention its officers can take. There
is something wrong about its condi-
tions Of service. No country ought to
depend for defense upon unwilling SOL
diers and America will cease to be the
land Of the free when it takes thought
to offensive military operations. West
Point school. where military science is
studied to perfection, is as necessary
to national welfare as is any other
scientific school What is needed Is a
plan for popularizing military disci-
pline and science until, when the
United States is threatened with at
tack, it can throw up its guards and
deliver a body blow as automatically
as does the healthy normal man train
ed in the manly art of self-defense.
What America is beginning to real
ize is that military and naval eff
CLERGY is desirable II it can be i'm
munized from the spirit of militarism
the bane of modern civilization.