Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-12-09
SHALL WE PREPARE FOR WAR
OR PEACE7

Roosevelt's latest military sugges-
ton, universal compulsory member
ship in citizen army like that of
Switzerland, is subject to more serious
objections here than in the Alpine re-
public. Switzerland is small coun-
try which can not hope to succeed in
an aggressive war. It's army consti-
tutes therefore no temptation to jim
goes and militarists to plunge the
country into war. But the Swiss plan
applied here would create an army of
from ten million to twenty million
men. Given such an army together
with a Roosevelt at the head of the
government and lingo newspapers to
inf1ame the people and the result may
be imagined. That even democratic
elements may be carried along by the
war fever may be realized on noting
the position of the Socialists of Eu-
rope. The army is unnecessary. We
will not get into any war if we adopt
the policy Of justice in domestic as
we'll as in foreign matters. That is
the best policy of defense.
But there is little danger that
Roosevelt's proposition will ever get
beyond the academic stage. Most of
our tories would object to it's appli-
cation. Governor Ammons of Colo
RADIO, for instance, would surely not
relish policy that would apply arms
and military training to the miner in
the coal fields of his state. West Vir.
ginia coal operators would probably
find such a suggestion distasteful. so
also would many other interests, not
entirely without influence in govern.
mental quarters. All that Roosevelt s
agitation can secure is standing ar.
my of the conventional militarist
style.
General Wotherspoon, retiring chief
Of staff of the United States army
submits report on the defenses OF
the country, and makes recommen
dation. Out of nominal army
strength of S3,O16 officers and men on
ly 48,706 are available for service in
the field to oppose an invasion. For
eign service, the Mexican trouble, and
internal disturbances have so drawn
upon this force that only 9,317 soldiers
are now at their home stations. AnC
this number will soon be still further
depleted by the demands Of the Pan
anna defences. The strength of the
militia on paper is $4,000. To mar
the Notifications in the United States
and possessions requires 1854 more
men than are now available. Modern
naval guns outrange the guns Of the
United States coast defences by 1900
to 5000 yards. General Wotherspoo1
recommends change to a new type
Of gun and emplacement. There i!
ammunition on hand to fire the NOR
tars one hour, and the guns an: hour
and a half.
There, you cravens! What have
you to say to that? 1t is to be hoped
that you did not forget to give thanks
that your country has not already
been overrun and laid waste. Such {
tempting of Fate is enough to make
the chills run up and down the bacl
Of any healthy militarist. If you have
a regard for his feelings you will lis
ten to the recommendations of the re
firing chief of staff, that we create 6
standing army of 100000, and an or
ganized militia of 100000, with the et
caeteras that go to make up the de
Tense of Christian nation. But while
this is natural recommendation from
the soldiers point of view, and doubt
less reasonable one, the civilian also
has the right to make recommends
tions.
| One Of the first that will come &c
mind is the withdrawal of American
troops from distant points where they
have no business to be. The greater
part of our mobile army during the
past fifteen years has been in the
Philippine Islands, where it never
should have gone in the beginning
and from whence it should have been
withdrawn at the conclusion of the
Spanish war. With Dewey's fleet in
command of the sea the Filipinos
would have soon acquired possession