Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-12
TAFT MAKES PLEA
FOR PREPAREDNESS
Former President Says He Stands
Between Roosevelt and Bryan
on Defense Policy.
ISOLATION IS NOT A SHIELD

CHICAGO, Nov. 11-National pre-
paredness for defense was advocated
by former President william H. Taft
in an address here tonight before
the National Security league at
banquet at a downtown hotel.
The present position of the nation
and its lack of adequate preparation
for defense, together with review
of what additions to the army and
navy he considered advisable, we're
outlined by Mr. Taft, who said:
do not let us sacrifice the national
security 10 an academic theory or the
wish to indicate IT,"
I'm my views on national defense"
said Mr.. Taft. Il find myself somewhere
between Mr.. Bryan and MIR. Roosevelt
only one nssvcr.
First. as to Mr.. Bryan and pacific
Ism. Is Il more likely that we shall In
wife war because we are merely ready
60 defend ourselves than that nations
will attack us because we are helpless
There is only one answer 70 this ques-
ton.
Nations arc made of men and have
not as high a standard OF morality IN
eealing with other nations as the aver
age man in dealing with other men. They
certainly have not reached the point yet
where from motives Of cupidlty they are
not willing when occasion offers 70 take
advantage Of the weakness Of a nation
20 carry out such a policy.
Great reliance lie had In paclfistic
theories OF our Isolation es a nation
What are the facts7 II we make no
preparations for defense the oceans are
an easier mode OF reaching us than II
there were land between. They can be
made instruments OF defense, but only
by preparation.
Violation OF Rights.
THE proximity 10 us Of the present
war shows violation of our rights as neu-
trails. War comes close to US. Peace
trembled In the balance over the Lusi-
tania. Our sale OF ammunition and war
supplies and food is according 10 inter
national law. but the fortune OF war
swept one side from the ocean and only
one side Is our customer. Resentment Of
this is natural and might lead TO com
pllcations.
What do we need9 Two lines Of de .
Tense. First. the navy and coast defenses
and second the coast defenses and an
army large enough to resist an expedi.
tionary force OF troops.
we must have navy equal 10 that Of
any nation having q standing army and
able to mobilize at once a large expe-
: dictionary force.
= What have we in coast fortiftcat,on7
!. AS good as any in the world. The coast
guns are twelve-inch and foreign navIes
nave nfteen-inch guns, but the more
stable foundation Of the coast defenses
4 equaiizesa the differences as has been
demonstrated In the attac:.a on the Oar
soanelles Germanys navy has a tom
mage OF 100000 tons and our navy
$4,000 tons. But we need battle cruisers,
torpedo boats and destroyers and SUBJ
marines. a 80 per cent increase and we
need 1900 men and 900 officers
General staff Needed.
"A board OF naval experts Is needed
10 spend money for the navy. We need
a general staff. which the secretary OF
the navy opposed as monarchicaI.
The second line OF defense9 With the
navy wiped out an expeditlonary force
must have an army Of $4,000. Our Ma
tionai Guard should have $4,000 men and
regular army OF 75,Oco men and voiun-
teers or reserves OF 10000 men.
THE second army should be increased
20 10000 exclusive OF Filipino constabu
larry and non-combatants. and the in
creases should be more largely IN cavalry
and field artillery. for infantry Is more
easily drilled.
with 10000 ready 20 mobilize. we
could add 10000 infantry In six months.
The navy could prevent landing OF ex-
peditionary forces OF large size until
then"
Mr.. Taft discussed the different methods
proposed for raising a reserve force. en-
dorsing none Of them. however. He
closed by saying:
we are an. adaptable people. with
equipment ready. with skeleton army
cavalry and artillery. we could prepare
n half million under stirring appeal 10
country's danger In time II we have n
sufficient navy. So all centers about a
navy"