Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-25
FOR PREPAREDNESS.
Editor Honolulu Star, Bulletin,

Editor Honolulu Star Bulletin,
f.. Sir: To my way of thinking the
NEST important want" of Hawaii, i'm
pressed On the body of congressman
and senators recently here, was that
of defenses, an increase of army and
Notifications in Hawaii. - f..
The murmurings, the snarls and
even the open slaps that we, as
nation, have received since the open
ing of real war ought to be warning
enough to get into condition 49,
The writer never wants another war,
either at home or abroad, and at the
present moment Peace on earth, good
will toward men" means all that it
islands anchored in tropic sea-"
While the United States navy is
not in the same class as was the old
Hawaiian navy, it. Is MOTTO the ordi-
nary landlubber'2 idea, where it should
be. 1t is fairly close to the head of the
list of world powers cns the sea, but
that notwithstanding, 1t Appld seem a
most strategic move to Mace it at the
head OF the list To do lit now. II
the rest of the world is armed if every
ether nation in our class is possessed
of a navy and an army that she thinks
superior to ours, are we not more than
likely to be "sat on" than If we, are
unquestionably the stronger, especial
ly so while other world powers are in
state of actual warfare and have
their "dander up." ~. .......
The great war in Europe is past that
stage where it would be possible to
call it off. 1t cannot stop now until
one side CT the other has conquered.
The fire of war is coursing through
the veins of those engaged in the
mighty struggle there, and We, as a
nation, might have the gauntlet thrown
down to us by some nation, that, in
a calmer moment, might take off its
hat TO US Instead. In that contingency
what are we going to do? We are 60
ing to be drawn into this mighty world
struggle In the interest, therefore, of
peace, SO far as we are concerned, be-
tween this nation and every other
nation, the United States Of America
should be prepared. not to attack but
to defend herself. and to enforce the
VI sft5At anu JuoIISO.
Preparedness for war is the only
condition to develop that NEST desira-
BILE state of affairs To be prepared
we must have more battleships, cruis.
ers, aircraft and submarines-not over.
done as to numbers, but within reason.
We have before us in the dispatches
from day to day the terrible cost of
war. not in dollars and cents but in
lives taken, and the sufferings left in
the wake. 49, ~. ~
The question now before US is, shall
we spend a few millions as warning
to the world and defense against all
corners, or shall we sit around until
the attack is made and then sacrifice
the Drawn and brain-the best in the
land-your son, my son in awful con-
ffict? Shall we hold off for a while
and then pay the price with thousands
of young men and millions of dollars?
Are we going to wait until the shells
from the invaders commence to drop
into our cities, and then for years
after our women and children must
suffer privations as do those now in
the fighting Genes of Europe? Shall
we blow in" some money on fighting
machines now or men and money later
on? Shall we build now to avoid war
or wait awhile and soak our country'f