The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-18
Interest in National Defense


 No question that will come before the Sixty-fourth Congress next win ter will call for more earnest consider ation than that relating to the na- tional defense. The administration will submit a definite programme for strengthening the army and the navy and for broad system of military training.
 A year ago Secretary of War Gar rison urged congressional action on the line of military preparedness, but owing to several large measures hav- ing precedence the President did not take up the issue. But the administra- ton will be ready when the new Con- gress convenes to make the national defense question paramount.
 Until recently the general public manifested little interest in this coun- try's military situation; but it is not so now.
 The pacifimaniacs have been busy of late preaching the pernicious doc Urine of peace at any price; and par tisans of William Jennings Bryan can be counted upon to oppose in an or ganizet way any national defense measu1e that may come before Con- gress. But fortunately the extreme pacifists are more noisy than numer- ous. The National Security league has been doing a good educational work In the defense cause. This or ganization is headed by distinguished Americans and its membership is made up of men who, while opposing militarism, take a practical view of the country's needs and advocate a larger army and larger navy than we have at present.
 AS to the details of the national defense plan that the administration will ask Congress to enact into law they have not yet been made public and will not be until they have been carefully studied by President Wilson. But it is understood that a small in crease in the enlisted strength of the regular army will be recommended fol the first year-perhaps 50,000-and a like increase every succeeding year until a maximum of 250,000 has beer reached.
 Secretary Garrison, in signed ar ticle in the New York Sun few day. ago, discusses with characteristic clarity and very convincingly the gen eral principles upon which he rests his plea for larger army. Among other things he says:
 The truth of the matter is that the real reason which lies back of much objection to military precautlon is a distrust with respect to its use. think it is a fearful indictment of the American people to say that in the face of every reason making for prepa redness for trouble we should fail to follow reason and take precau- tion because we might misuse our strength.
 What about other nations that are strong? Is there no danger of their misusing their strength against us?
 What a curious state of mind it is which must admit that all things con sidered in the light of reason call i'm peratively for one course of action. which, however should not be taken because of prejudice or fear; the fear being the misuse of trained strength.
 Like every other great national problem, there is only one way to go about solving it. We should fear lessly look the facts squarely in the face We should apply unprejudced reason thereto. We should analyze the lessons of history and consider the conditions existing today And then we should do what reason and the ordinary distates of prudence de- mand.
 Nothing of value is ever gained by ignoring the truth by self-delusion or by submitting pleasant fancies for unpleasant facts. When the people of this country concentrate their atten- tion upon this subject and realize, as they must do, that the objections to wise. reasonable adequate military precautions are without substance, and to omit doing that which ought to be done invites peril. if not dis aster. then there will be an end to