The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-28

obtained. Here again what y needed
is not plans by outsiders but the In
siStence by Outg1ders upon the army
ana navy officers being required to
produce the right plans, and being
held to q strict accountability for any
duty.
Moreover. these plans must be
treated as part OF the coherent policy
OF the nation in international Affairs
With q gentleman like Mr.. Bryan in
the state department 1t may be ac-
cepted as absolutely certain that we
never Will have the highest grade of
ehiciency in the departments OF war
ana OF the navy. With a gentleman
like Mr. Daniels at the head OF the
navy. It may be accepted as certain
that the navy will not be brought to
the level OF its possible powers. This
means that the people as a whole
must demand of their leaders that
tney treat seriously the navy and
army and our foreign policy.
Waste Is Great.
The waste In our navy ana army 10
very great This is inevitable as long as
We do not discriminate against the In
premium an npo as long As we al to put
president. 1 found out that q yery large
proportion Of the old officers of the army
competent to perform many of their
duties. The public was wholly indinerent
on the subject Congress would not act
liminary. I estabiished a regulation that
before promotion Officers should be re-
CURED to walk fifty miles or ride ono
hundred miles in three days. This was
In way sufficient test of an officers fit
ness. 1t merely served to rid the service
s OF men WHOSE unfitness was absolutely
newspapers an extraordinary din was
raised against this test on the ground
that It was unjust to faithful elderly Of
Tho pacificists promptly assailed 1t on
the ground that to make the army eff
ficient was q "wariike" act; All kinds Of
college presidents. wrote me that my az
ton showed not only callousness of heart
ism. Any OFFICER who because Of failure
to come up to the test or for other rea-
sons was put out of the service was GER
tain to receive ardent congressional
was brought to bear on behalf Of the un-
fit, while not the slightest effective cham
outside source. This was because public
opinion was absolutely uneducated on the
subject
In our country the men who in time Of
peace speak loudest about war are usual
ly the ultra-pacificists. whose activities
have been shown to be absolutely futile
for peace. but who do little mischief by
persuading q number of well meaning
persons that preparedness for war Is un-
necessary.
1t is not desirable that civilians. acting
independently of and without the help of
military and naval advisers. shall prepare
minute or detailed plans as to what ought
to be done for our national defense. But
civilians are competent to advocate plans
in outline exactly as I have here advo-
Gated them. Moreover, and most impOr-
tant. they are competent to try to make
public opinion effective In these matters.
A democracy must have proper leaders.
But these leaders must be able to appeal
to a proper sentiment in the democracy.
1t is the prime duty of every right think
ing citizen at this time to aid his fellow
countrymen to understand the need of
working wisely for peace. the folly OF
acting unwisely for peace. and above all
t-.o need Of real and thorough national
preparedness against war.-(Copyright.
1914. by the Wheeler Syndicate. Inc)