The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-12-08

Depend ON Citizens.
''Let us remind ourselves, there
fore, of the only thing we can do
or will do. We must depend In
every time of national peril, I'm
the future as I'm the past, not upon
u standing army, nor yet upon a
reserve army, but upon a citizenry
trained and accustomed to arms.
II will be right enough, right
American policy, based ON our ac-
customed principles and practices,
to provide u system by which ev-
cry citizen who will volunteer for
training may be made familiar
with the use of modern arms, and
the rudiments of drill and maneu-
yer, and the maintenance and
of camps.
1--WE should encourage such
training and make IL n means of
discipline which our young men
will learn to value. IL Is right
that we should provide 1t not only,
but that we should make IL AS at
tractive as possible, and so In
duce our young men to undergo IL
at such times AS they can COM
mand a little freedom and can
seek the physical development
they need for mere health's sake,
II for nothing more. Every means
by which such things can be stimu-
lated is legitimate and such a
method smacks of true American
ideas.
Strengthen Guards.
''It Is right, too, that the ma
ti0nal guard of the states should
be developed and strengthened 10y
every means which is not incon-
sistent with our obligation to our
own people or with the establish
ed policy of our government. And
this. also, not because the time or
occasion especially calls for such
measures, but because 1t should
be our constant policy to make
the provisions for our national
peace and safety.
What Of the Navy?
"A powerful navy we have al
ways regarded as our proper and
natural means of defence and IL
has always been of defense that
we have thought, never of agrees
sion or of conquest.
"But who shall tell us what
sort of navy to build? We shall
take leave to be strong upon the
sea I'm the future as In the past
md there will be no thought Of
offense or of provocation in that.
Our ships are our natural bull
warks. When will the experts tell
us Just what kind we should con-
struct and when shall they be
right for ten years altogether, IL
the efficiency of craft of different
kinds and uses continues to
change as we have seen It change
under our very eyes i'm these last
few months?
Are Not Negligent.
But turn away from the SUBJ
icct. II is not new. There is now
new need to discuss 1t. We shall
not alter our attitude toward it
because II some amongst ms are
nervous and excited. We shall
easily and sensibly agree upon a
policy Of defense. The question
has not changed its aspect be-
cause the times are not normal.
Our policy will not be for an &C.
casion. IL will be conceived as
permanent and settled thing.
which we will pursue at all sea-
sens, without haste and after a
fashion perfectly consistent with
the hampered freedom of all with
whom we deal. Let there be no
lnisconception. The country has
leen nlisinformed. We have not
been negligent of national de-
Tense. We are not ummindful Of
the great responsibility resting
upon us. We shall learn and
profit by the lesson of every -cx-
perience and every new circum-
stance and what Is needed will be
adequately DONE"