The Washington herald., 1914-07-14
big navy POLICY
ADOPTED BY j. 5.
Militaristic Spirit Reflected in
Army and Navy Appro-
priation Bills.
FOR 3 WARSHIPS YEARLY
Wonderful Reversal of Public Senti-
ment Since the Capture of
Vera Cruz.
FOR 3 WARSHIPS YEARLY

ne HliIaIlstlC SplEll IN lne Jhlleo
States. notably advanced by the capture
OF Vera Cruz and the prospect OF inter-
vention in Mexico, is reflected in the two
war budgets"-the army and navy ap-
preparation biIls-which have been formu-
lated by the present Congress.
The peace movement is neither dead
nor decadent- according to those who
guide its .destines, but It is significant
that the Democratic party today is thor
oughly committed to big navy policy.
Twelve months ago the "one best bet
was that the Wilson administration
would bend its hardest efforts to the re-
duction Of the army and navy budgets.
and the militarists-and this group IN
cludes thousands who believe that the
most effective peace insurance is war
readiness"-were outspoken in their ap-
prehensions Of neglect.
Made Ready for Action.
Strangely enough the army and navy
were not compelled to create war issues
for the nation, for they wero already
made and ready for action. BY a cruel
stroke OF fate the peace preachments OF
Secretary Of State Bryan and Secretary
of the Navy Daniels have been dwarfed
and cast into the shade BY the stern hand
VI NhNulLlsAdIANts -NOI years mas lnc
United States been so beset with the
threat Of war and-the danger of war as
at this moment The japanese compli-
cations over California's anti-alien land
law provided the first delicate interna-
tionaI situation that the Wilson admins
tration faced, and il has been succeeded
by the Mexican crisis.
The occupation Of Vera Cruz by Amer
lean bluejackets. marines, and troopers.
with its toll OF nineteen dead and seventy
injured ia loss greater than the navy suf-
fered in the entire Spanish-American
War has produced a marked effect upon
public opinion. and there has been prac-
tiCaIly no effort in Congress this year to
reduce the army and navy bills. Last
year determined group in the House of
Representatives eliminated the two bat
tie ships a year policy from the navy
budget and provided for the construction
of only one dreadnought a year. Navy
men despaired OF having this program
changed during the present administra-
tion. They felt II was fixed policy. with
the backing of the dominant Democratic
group in the House and the tacit support
OF President Wilson and Secretary Of the
Navy Daniels. There was no denial OF
the charges that this was the truth. In
fact. the administration at that time was
so busily engaged in signing treaties with
various nations providing for the sober
resorting-to-arms''
idea that it gave little heed to what the
army and navy wanted.
What a reversal has taken place in pub
lie thought and official policy within the
year. There was, during the debate on
the navy appropriation bill. no thought of
further recession from the 1.-TWO battle
ships a year. program, and the admins
tration has gone even further. Through
a piece of shrewd bargaining with Greece,
three dreadnoughts will be constructed
this year. The battle ships Mississippi
and Idaho have been sold at cost price to
the little nation in Southeastern Europe,
and the money thus acquired will be used
for the construction OF a new ship. Greece
will pay the United States approximately
sl2.OOO.OO0 or what the two battle ships
originally cost Uncle Sam.
At no period in its recent history has
the United States navy been allowed to
construct three battle ships in a single
wear. and the men of the line and staff
are enthusiastic about getting on to the
larger basis. They have no legitimate
reason for hoping that the three-battle
ship program will be continued. As a
matter of fact. Congress. with its usual
fluctuations OF policy. may reduce the
budget to one battle ship next year.
II the war clouds have been
iissipated-
Secretary of War Garrison has sue
,eeded in getting a good many conces- |
sions from Congress- this year. although |
his budget Is not much larger than last |
years. Army policy Is now In process |
u formation. II is recognized that II the |
United States has to undertake the paci-
icatfon Of Mexico the army will. for a
period Of time. be the most
important arm OF the government. Mil
Ions viii be expended on the creation OF
, reserve and volunteer force