New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Asserts Nations Disgrace
Might Follow Navy'S
Efforts in War.
BLAME FOR WILSON.
DANIELS AND BRYAN
Chili's Military Strength Out
ranks u. S., Colonel States
Wants Philippines Free.

Characterizing President Wilson,
Secretary Bryan and Secretary Daniels
as prophets Of the inane and mis-
chievous principle Of watchful waiting
that Is, of slothful and timid refusal
to face facts or perform duty" Colonel
Roosevelt, in an article in the Janu-
ary number OF Every ybody's Maga-
zine makes a sharp attack on the
condition Of military and naval IN
preparedness which this country faces.
Refuting the arguments OF "univer
sal peace adherents. the Colonel ad-
yocates an immediate increase in army
I and navy. system OF military train
ing IN high schools and colleges and an
annual weeks field service for the ma
tlon's reserve militia. He contends
that Congress should summon before
its committees the best naval experts
and provide the bsttleshiDs. cruisers
submarines, floating mines and air
craft that these experts assert 20 be
ecessary for the full protection Of
the country.
D
/ Chilli are in military strength beyond
all comparison more efficient than the
United States; and If our navy is per
mltted 10 deteriorate as II has been
Gcteriorating for nearly two years IN -
same statement can soon be made, al
/ though with more qualification, Of
their naval strength" is Colonel
Roosevelt's summing up Of the situa
ton.
The first and most important thing
/ for US, as a people. TO do in order to
/ prepare ourselves for self-defence IS
I TO get clearly iu our minds Just what
our policy Is 20 be. and 10 insist that
, our public servants shall make their
words and their deeds correspond
"Ihe Philippines from a military
standpoint are a source of weakness 10
as. Tho present administration mas
IRON sed explicitly 10 let them go.
and by its actions has rendered il diff
rcult 20 hold them against any serious
foreign foe. These being the circum-
stances. the islands should al an early
/ moment oe given their independence
( without any guarantee whatever by US
and without our retaining any foOthold
/ Ir them.
There remains 10 defend the
United States proper the Panama
Canal and It's approaches, Alaska and
Hawaii To defend all these Is vital
20 our honor and interest For such
defence preparedness is essential.
"The first and most essential form of
preparedness should be making the
navy efficient. Absolutely and rela-
lively, our navy has never been at
such pitch Of efficiency as in Febru-
ary, 1909, when the battle feet re-
turned from its voyage around the
world. Unit for unit. there was no
other navy in the world which was at
that time its equal
During the next four years we have
had an admirable Secretary Of the
Navy, Mr.. Meyer-we were fortunate
in having then and since good Secre-
taries of War in Mr.. Stimson and Mr..
Garrison. Owing 10 causes for which
Mr.. Meyer was in no way responsible
there was a slight relative falling of
in efficiency OF the navy, and probably
a slight absolute falling off during the
following years. But 1t remained very
efficient
"Since Mr.. Daniels came in, and De
cause of the action taken by Mr.. Dan
iels under the direction of President
Wilson, there has been most lament
able reduction in efficiency. II AZ any
moment we went 20 war with nrst-
class navy Of equal strength to our
own there would be a chance, not only
Of defeat, but of disgrace.
"We have brought back from Mexico
the army, which could be of some use,
and have kept there the warshlps,
which cannot be of any use, and which
suffer terribly in efficiency from being
so kept. The feet has had no ma