Evening star., 1915-04-11
Good Time to Talk It Up.

'This is an exceptionally opportune
time" Mr.. Garrison continued, ito con-
slider this question, because, while the
war in Europe has centered the atten-
ton of our people upon the subject
matter we have aggressive inten-
ton against any nation and there is no
hint of any such aggressive intention
on the part of any nation against us.
..The subject itself has nothing novel
in it. From the foundat ton of the gov
ernment to the present time it has re-
ceived the careful consideration of
those whose responsibilities or ex-
perience caused them to comprehend
the situation. All such practically
reached a similar conclusion as to the
imperative need of proper measures or
precaution. Unfortunately, for one
reason or another. they were never
able to cause the enactment of their
conclusions into permanent form, and
when occasion required resort was
had to makeshifts and expedlents. with
all of the disastrous and humiliating
results of such Inadequate treatment
of this vital subject.
when the public opinion of this
country has determined upon what
general principles its military policy
shall be founded there will be diff
ficulty in working out the details and
putting the same into effect. The dif-
ficulty has been. and is. to get the
matter so brought home to the individ
ual citizen that he will realize it's vital
| Importance, give it his best attention
and aid in its wise solution. The diff
| hculties inhering in the nature of the
| subject are great enough without the
| misfortune of artificial obstacles placed
| in the way of it's wise settlement. Such
artificial obstacles are those created by
we'll meaning people who confuse the
subject by injecting into it considera-
ht.h n nf
there. Adherence of war and love OF
peace are thoroughly consistent with
wise military precautions. There is
| no issue in this country. and there can
| be none, between militarism and pacif-
| ism. No one who is taken seriously is
| even suggesting militarism: and no one
] who suggests that peace is to be OBJ
| tanned through feebleness should be
| listened to. The great sober sense of
| this country will surely not let its di-
| rection be detected by so unsubstan-
| tial an obstacle. What we are striving
for, and what every wise. patriotic cit
| izen should join in attaining, is d
proper military policy.
| Must Have Forethought.
'Thc way to attain this object is to
consider the past. observe the present
and take forethought for the future.
| We know that in the past this matter
| has not received proper consideration
| on behalf of the public. Washington,
| Adams and Jefferson-the three great
| men who successfully held the office of
| President-pleaded with the people to
| do what should be done in this con-
lnection. but their pleading was futile.
| Washingtons bitter experience with
/ unframed men and with nation
prepared for war is well known to all
1 of us, and his references thereto are
too numerous for citation. They may
| be summed up, however, in this state
ment of his:
( 1.-The jealousy of a standing army.
and the evils to be apprchended from
one, are remote. and, in my judgment,
situated and circumscribed we are.
not at all to be dreaded; but the con-
sequence of wanting one, according to
my views formed from the present
| view of things, is certain and inevita-
| BILE ruin"
! Mr.. Garrison pointed out the prob
lens of defense that faced John Adams
and Thomas Jefferson, and added:
| From those days to these, other
great minds. trained, experienced.
| faced with the difficulties and dangers,
proposed one remedy or another, but
all failed of adoption.
| I'm most other nations of any size in
the world this matter has been taken
up and has been settled after careful
consideration. Admittedly that Is not
| the case with us.
| The exact question for decision
therefore. is. on what principles shall
| we provide for the expansion of our
| military forces as to be reasona bly,
prepa1ed to meet emergencies? No one
| seriously proposes that this should be
done by having a standing army OF