The Washington times., 1914-08-27
ARGUES US. NEEDOF
STRONG WAR FORCE
Country Always Should Be Pre-
pared, Asserts Writer on
National Defense.

Our National Defense" by Capt.
John Clark Wilson. L. s. ". retired. IS
one of the leading articles in the cur
rent issue of The Navy. the official
publication OF the Navy League of the
United States. 1t is safer. more digni-
fed. and much saner. Captain Wilson
argues. to be prepared to announce
ones policies and to defend them
against any probable enemy lat any
and all times
Moral power based on resources"
says Captain Wilson. may be a strong
factor in preventing wars, but II does
not take the place of actual and mate
rial force. and is practically useless
once war has commenced.
we cannot trust our lives and prop
erty in any community without laws.
and such laws to be effective must have
power back Of them.
No Law For Nations.
There is no such thing as law be-
tween nations, and each is free TO ART
as it pleases, but they must have
power If they wish to have their rights
recognized. 1t is one of the fundamental
Avs Of nature for the strong to prey
on the weak, and the lamb has never
yet been able to lie down with a live un-
tanned lion. Such a law seems to be
necessary for the moral and material
development of the world
The spirit of war is a factor IN Civ
ing scope to the highest qualities Of
human nature. and without wars ma
tions would aeteriorate and lose those
strong, sterling characteristics which
make for so much good
There have been wars and rumors
of wars ever since the creation of man.
and 1t is contrary to our knowledge OF
human nature to expect otherwise.
We as nation are self-reliant and
proud to the point of conceit: assertive
to the point of temerity. and optimistic
to the point of idealism: all based on
our riches. resources and past successes.
We have a large and increasing popula-
ton, ready to fight for their country,
but they are SO engrOssed in their per
sonal affairs that they have no time or
opportunity to give attention to inter
national questions, and so they COM
fortably dismiss them from their minds.
Resources might in time force peace
but in war with first class power IL
would be bought at such a price as to
cripple the nation for many years to
come, to say nothing of the loss of
prestige and lives sacrificed, all TO 4
spirit of false economy-most, If not all,
of which might have been Saved by hav-
ing adequate means of defense
Must Be Prepared.
Millions of men. however energetic,
intelligent and patriotic, with millions
Of dollars, will not win against a strong
nation. thoroughly prepared for war.
without tremendous losses. We should
have always available an effective navy
aud military organization, with reserve
arms. ammunition and other require
ments necessary for quickly equipping
and maintaining force sufficiently
strong TO insure our making an effective
defense at the very beginning of hos
tilities.
'Armor and shipbuilding plants will
avail but little If we have not utilized
them in times of peace IN building bat
tleships and auXiliaries In sufficient
numbers to effectively defend our shores.
Business men do not sit idly by and
themselves with the thought
that no calamity will ever overtake
them or their property-they not only
protect their families and themselves
by insurance, but insist that an ade-
quate police force and fire department
be kept in the highest state Of eff
cheney. and they would insist upon nd-
eQuate means of defense for the nation
did they realize the necessity as plain
ly as they do the necessity OF protection
for their personal property"