The Spectator., 1914-12-08

come. of course, the inevitable in l crease of expense.
 The sort of economy we ought to practice may be effected, and ought to | be effected. by careful study and assessment of the tasks to be per | formed; and the money spent ought to be made to yield the best possible returns in efficiency and achievement. | And, like good stewards, we should so account for every dollar of our ap- | propriations as to make it perfectly
 evident what it was spent for and in what way 1t was spent
 It is not expenditure but extrava- | gance that we should fear being criti- cized for; not paying for the legiti- mate enterprises and undertakings of a great government whose people command what 1t should do, but add ing what will benefit only few or | pouring money out for what need not have been undertaken at all or might have been postponed or better and more economically conceived and car ried out The nation is not niggardly; 1t Is very generous. It will chide us only if we forget for whom we pay money out and whose money it is we pay.
 These are large and general stand ards. but they are not very difficult of application to particular cases. The National Defense. The other topic shall take leave to l mention goes deeper into the princi- ples of our national life and policy. It is the subject of national defense. l It cannot be discussed without first | answering some very searching ques- | tions.
 It is said in some quarters that we | are not prepared for war. What is meant by being prepared? Is it meant that we are not ready upon brief no tice to put nation in the field, na- tion of men trained to arms? Of course we are not ready to do that; and we shall never be in time of peace so long as we retain our pres ent political principles, and institu- tions. And what is it that it is sug- gested we should be prepared to do? To defend ourselves against attack? We have always found means to do that, and shall find them whenever it is necessary without calling our peo- pie away from their necessary tasks to render compulsory military service in times of peace.
 Allow me to speak with great plain ness and directness upon this great matter and to avow my convictions with deep earnestness l have tried to know what America is, what her people think, what they are. what they most cherish, and hold dear. 1 hope that some of their finer passions are in my own heart, some of the great conceptions and desires which gave birth to this government and which have made the voice of this people a voice of peace and hope and liberty among the peoples of the world, and that. speaking my own thoughts, I shall. at least in part, speak theirs also, however, faintly and inadequately, upon this vital matter.
 Fear No Nation.
 We are at peace with all the world. No one who speaks counsel based on fact or drawn from a just and candid interpretation of realities can say that there is reason for fear that from any quarter our indepen- dence or the integrity of our territory Is threatened. Dread of the power of any other nation we are incapable of. We are not jealous of rivalry in the fields of commerce or of any other peaceful achievement We mean to live our lives as we will; but we mean also to let live. We are, indeed. a true friend to all the nations of the world. because we threaten none. covet the possessions of none. desire the overthrow of none. Our friend ship can be accepted and is accepted without reservation, because it is of fered in spirit and for a purpose which no one need ever question or suspect. Therein lies our greatness We are the champions of peace and of concord And We should be very I jealous of this distinction which we have sought to earn. Just now we should be particularly jealous of it. because 1t is our dearest present hope that this character and reputation may presently, in Gods providence, bring us an opportunity to counsel and obtain peace in the world and reconciliation and healing settle ment of many matter that has cooled and interrupted the friendship of nations. This is the time above all others. when we should wish and re- solve to keep our strength by self pos session. our influence by preserving our ancient principles of action.
 Ready for Defense.
 From the first we have had clear and settled policy with regard to military establishments. We never have had. and while we retain our present principles and ideals we never shall have. large standing army