The Washington herald., 1914-11-15

one Of the Dig national issues from nov
on would be drawn between small-army
ana smaH-navy men in Congress and the
country, and those leaders who see the
pitiruI inadequacy Of our defensive mill
tary forces and the stirring necessity for
an immediate change Of. policy.
Since the elections, statements by lead
ers Of ali parties have indicated this even,
more clearly. and despite the desire Of
Republican leaders to make the campaign
for military preparedness purely party
issue, It is evident that the movement
VIII claim support from clear thinkers Of
al parties
Representative Mann, who. since the
Republican nomination in 1916 became
something to be sought, has been promi,
nentIy considered as a Presidential possi-
bnity, immediately after the election de-
clared:
"A large navy is inevitable as a result
Of the European war. The
Republican party viii stand pledged to
this policy through and through. The
great navy must come unless there
should be an agreement between all
nations whereby an international court
might be established. to which all dis
putes could be referred. But think
that is unlikely at the present time.
Vice President Marshall In q recent
statement declared that barring inter
national disarmament, increases in the
size and working efficiency Of our mill
- sTTaf
come.
Led by Representative Gardner Of
Massachusetts, Republican leaders in
Congress are almost solidly demanding
a hearing upon his resolution asking
for an investigation by select com
mission Of the conditions In our mill
tAry establishments.
Representative Swager Sheriey, Demo
crat, Of Kentucky, who is one Of the four
or five most influential members OF the
House, has announced. privately, a line
Of effort which he viii follow during the
coming session with view to rectifytng
the present short-Eghted policy. Mr..
sherley is certain to command a strong
following in the House.
While the reticence OF the White
House with regard to army and navy
Increases has been looked upon in some
quarters as an indication OF lack Of
sympathy with the proposals, President
Wilson viii not oppose any well directed
efforts to rectify conditions II the atti-
tude Of Congress indicates desire for
such a policy tn the part Of the people.
Secretaries Garrison and Daniels and
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy Frank
LIN D. Roosevelt have stated that they
expect to be behind measures strength
sning in one way or another the two
services At the same time IL Is un-
derstood Of Secretary Daniels report
at least that II will not call for an IN
crease in the naval building program
over this year. The efforts OF the secre-
taries. It IL supposed, VIII be along the
line Of presenting to their committees
IN Congress al available and pertinent
facts, suggesting changes in policy, and
cooperating with the Legislative branch
with a view to welI-considered improve
ments, an this in addition to recommen-
dations in their annual reports.
Commenting editoriaIly upon the neces-
sity for this information, the Army and
Navy Register says, in part: ..
1T il necessary, therefore, for definite
recommendation to be made. Congress
and even the military-naval committees
cannot be expected to devise means OF
relief or to provide for increase OF per-
Sonnel or ships or amend the naval
personnel law or reorganize the army.
The great difficulty in the last two or
three years has arisen from either an
absence of helpful suggestion or con-
fIicting and, therefore confusing recon-
mendations which have reached Congress
In various forms. So far as the army
is concerned, the House and Senate
Military Committees have not been fur
g-.fa
reorganization that would enable the
drafting of legislation accomplishing the
desired end. It has been frequently as
serted that such recommendations would
be forthcoming and 1t was positively
stated two years and more ago that the
general staff was at work on . project
which would furnish q useful basis Of
committee deliberation calcuiited to ter
inmate in legislative achievement that
would be contributory TO army efftcisncy
and of Importance and benefit to the sys-
tenn Of national defense.
CONGRESS has had nothing but gilt
tsring generalities- What Is needed now,
n anything is to be expected OF Con-
oresG. a something which viii be tangi-
BE and pertinent and practical Other
wise, Congress will continue its policy
of following the line Of least resistance
and, avoiding responsibilities which the
Ie0islators especially in a short and hur-
Yied session, ind so easy to transmit to
a aIlcceeding Congress. As a matter OF
6act the war IN Europe has taught moth
ing which has not been known and ap-
p~eciated, or at least that which shoHld
not have been known and appreciated,
hafore the conflict. The titanic struggle
Of the armed forces, Of course, calls at
tantion n a direct and forcible way to
he necessity Of being prepared and 1t
Il encouraging to note that the realiza-
f1on Of the means Of preparedness IL
Chared impartially without political dis
S5nction. The leaders Of both paries, who
nave siRuified their intention TO support
nians for an Improvement in the national
defense undoubtedly reflect public senti-
Yneut which has all along been unaccount-
abfy indifferent to such an issue and
cbiiyious 70 the menace OF existing In
adeouacies It has evidently required
fhe war in Europe to arouse Americans
10 the urgent necessity Of action and pro-
vision. It will be a fortunate result Of
The calamity abroad IL this country Is
abie to arrive at preparedness for war
vfthour waiting for the lesson to come
~ us IN the form Of defeat by a foe
which may some day directly engage US
- our humiliation and disaster. It Is to
Be hoped that the belief in the necessity
of an improved system Of national de-
tense VIII not diminish as the coming
session advances"
HEEsLEY WINS By NOSE.