New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-08

than one-half the population of New
York, has an army much larger than
that of the whole United States, even
including all our militia. Report OF
the Secretary of War, 1914. page lO)
We desire our countrymen TO know
that we have at this moment only
about one-fourth of the officers and
Cne-half of the enlisted men neces-
sary' TO man our primary home coast
defences and protect our Atlantic and
Pacific cities, that without better pro-
lection can be laid under tribute by any
hostile feet stronger than ours to the
ture of billions of dollars. Al this mo-
ment the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska
and Porto Rico are so ludicrously un-
defended that they invite seizure: and
this too, despite the injunction Of Holy
Writ that it is wrong to place tempta-
ton in the way Of sinners.
The General Board Of the navy, a
body of naval authorities that in any
other country than the United States
would command the very highest re-
spect, has officially submitted to our
government programme of recon-
mendations for naval increases in 1915.
A few only of these recommendations
have been adopted. We observe with
regret that the boards recommendation
of 100000 for aircraft for the army
and navy has been reduced by the
House of Representatives TO one-tenth
OF that sum-S500,0O0 And does not
the fate of the slow Butcher point out
a horrible defect in our cruisers and
Lattleships in the matter of speed?
That is the fault Of our naval construc-
tors, not of Congress.
o.. -. al /. l. ~,
synchroniZed with the protests OF the
Society to Prevent the Increase of Our
National Defences comes the news that
the navy of our country has dropped to
fourth place in rank with the navies
CT the world. This should give that
society great JOY.
In view of the recent slaughter Of
large war vessels by small submarines,
Congress is really disposed TO adopt
the recommendation OF the General
Board of the navy rather than that Of
q too optimistic Secretary for nineteen
submarines, which, in the light of re-
cent events, is really about one-half
the number that should be built and
distributed in 1915 along our coasts
and among our oversee possessions.
There are times and seasons when
the able bodied citizen with red blood
in his veins has laid upon him other
duties than enlistment in war and the
bearing Of arms. There are times when
il Is mis- duty 10 raise his voice and
protest against dangerous forms OF
peace. II is now the duty OF every Sc
rious minded American to express his
views regarding the defenceless and
attack inviting condition of his country
and his hearthstone. In all the count
less thousands of proverbs that the
English language has produced there
never was one more pregnant with
truth and wise warning than that which
SAYS: Speak softly. carry a big stick.
and you will go far" The idea that
the power to fight will necessarily rem
der US aggressive is entirely untounded
and fallacious, as every thinking
American we'll knows.
No Post Mortem Philosophy.
One more citizen now asks the Presi-
dent and Congress TO take Immediately
all the steps that they would wish they
had taken IL great war with first
class power should suddenly be thrust
upon US two years from this time. In
the matter of defensive preparations
let US not be post-mortem philosophers.
Let US not compel ourselves TO say in
1917: "We should have done so and so
in 1916" or "Why did not Congress do
its duty in 1852" or "If we had only
done as we should have done!"
We urge Congress to go forward
rapidly and forcefully, and not pause