Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-22

tAA' lIfHbFibHt NNfHilNI VI IN III
creased armament. both naval ant
military. ~ now engaging the atten.
ton Of congress. Spirited discussion
Is wagng between the members who
advocate increased armament both
naval and military. and those who
think such war-lke preparations are
unnecessary and not In Keeping with
our professions IN the Interests Of uni.
versal peace ana international har-
mony
Creditnble arguments are made on
both sides Of the question. and were II
not Tor the fact that ncnrly one-half
Of the world Is al this time actually
engaged in mortal combat, the ques-
ton would doubtless be settled In
favor OF general disarmament and of
a resort TO arbitration for the settle
ment OF International dlsagreements.
a contamination devoutly to be
wished
should lie Material Increase.
At the present time, owing 10 exist
Ing conditions. the true policy Of our
government il 60 provide without de-
lay. for a material Increase In our ma
val and military armament. and TO
show that Il realizes to the fullest ex-
tent. the uncertainties that an almost
general war among foreign nations
will create. We must thereby give no
tice 10 the world that we are prepar-
ing TO provide the necessary means Of
defense Of our country and Its insti-
iutlons. before II In too late. and that
We will not, 10 use the expressive LAM
guage Of Patrick Henry, "lle suplnely
on our backs hugging the deluslve
phantom of hope. until our enemies
shall have bound MS hand and foot
To depend upon the dclusive phan-
tom of trust in continued neutrality
IL the veriest folly and we must not
hesitate 10 lock the door before the
horse IL stolen II should be distinct
lively understood that these prepare
tions are not made for the purpose Of
aggressive conquest. but solely for
seif-dcfcnsc against insidlous attacks
Of Jealous, arbitrary and quarrelsome
neighbors and foreign foes
ifUi iiiN ~ ~ tHftlfUt ~ tfifflf'li"
cal idea, born of stuff that dreams
are made or is proved by what has
appeared to be settled determina-
ton on the part OF at least one Of the
contrasting nations In the present
struggle, 10 ignore the principles OF
Justice and humanity, to resort to acts
OF brutality and violations OF treaty
obligations that are q disgrace to civ
ilization.
The Horror of Belgium.
II Is with feelings OF horror that
well-minded men witness the fact OF
the weak but heroic nation Of Bel
gium overrun by the armed forces OF
a fanatical emperor who impiously
claims Jehovah as his ally and coun-
sellor. and recklessly tramples on
treaty obligations. considering them
na merely waste paper and entitled 10 /
no consideration. with occurrences
like the foregoing, II seems reasonable |
mend and TO provide for very ma
terial increase In our naval and mill
tnry armament, as well as a uniform
system OF general military instruction
and training. There can be no dis
gulAing the fact that our country,
though strong in material and agri-
cultural resources. Is weak In naval
and military equipment and shows a
lack Of preparedness to resist foreign
aggression. An invading force would
have little 10 fear OF successful resist
anee from us. even If we had the as
sistance Of the South American re-
publics In our attempts to enforce re-
speet for our neutral rights or TO COM
pei the observance of treaty abliga-
TONS. We must bear in mind that our
country with its wonderful aceumua-
ton Of wealth and the possession Of
immense resources. will ever be sub
leet to the jealousy and cupidity of
foreign nations. who, upon the slight
nst proyocation. will not hesitate to
take advantage Of our weakness and
for successful de-
Tense. should war be declared.
To Avoid big Armies.
Under ordinary conditions and in
lines OF peace, the policy OF our ma
lion has been to avoid She extrava- {
sanee of large standing army and
The adoption of system of compul- !
sorry naval service, but the lessons |
Taught us by the fearful and sanguin |
,ry struggle In Europe cannot be dis ,
regarded.
The need of Il largely Increased mill {
tars and naval armament Is forced {
upon us, not for the purpose Of con-
quest. but for self-defense, and pro- {
ection against the possible encroach- I
nents of those nations who still en- {
ertain the lingering ambitions and
prejudices of assumed divine {
y appointed rulers and hereditary l
masters, which IL persisted in, will {
continue TO be the fruitful cause OF
warfare and spoilation. $
The result Of this terrible conflict c
: world problem the time and I
manner Of its termination, and the {
FEARING it Will have upon the prog '
ess OF civilization. the prevailing
question of the hour.
Good From the War. r
To the reflective mind and to one
ot swayod by national prejudice, ifle
uch there he. there is and can be,
nut one solution, and that is. that
God win come out of t.