The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-12-30

The vote of the Maine State Grange
against preparedness is causing much
comment. One writer declares that the
resolution does not express the real
sentiments of the Grange; that it was
passed in SHINY attended session when
nobody was looking" We believe the
resolution to be a protest against the
continuation, and increase, of the war"
taxes, and the present wasteful expendi-
ture of the public money, rather than
against sane and sensible measures for
defense against a possible foreign foe.
The meetings of the State Grange bring
together a representation of the best
citizenship of the State. No partisan
considerations influence their delibera
tons, and if we have interpreted their
resolution on preparedness Alright it
stands for the sober. second thought Of
the people generally. How can this
country assume the role of peace-maker
when making active preparations for
war: how further the desire of all Chris
tain people for universal peace, when
the war drum shall throb no longer and
the battle flags be furled, sin the Parlia-
ment of man, the Federation of the
world?"
There are facts and figures showing
plainly that with the adoption of proper
business methods at Washington, not
only would the present war" taxes be
unnecessary, but there would be an
ample margin for such preparedness as
the conditions call for. The Indepen-
dent says of the proposed revolutionary
tax increases" that ''The sum derived
from them added to our present military
expenditures will total sum greater
then has ever been spent in time of peace
by any nation on EARTH And further:
1t might not be so bad to spend millions
for defense if we were sure of getting
dollars worth for every dollar spent.
But it locks as tho much of our money is
wasted. 1t costs, for instance, in this
country over $1,000 a year to support
soldier. In Europe it can be done for a
third or even a quarter of that amount.
The high cost of living in this country,
and the fact that we pay our soldiers
good wages while European nations pay
theirs practically nothing, do not explain
all the difference. In striking leading
article in the November issue of Every
Dody's Magazine the reason why our mill
tary expenses are SO much greater than
those of other nations is very searchingly
ho
as vouching for the facts there published.
But the writer declares, and the pre-
sumption is with him, that of the $780,
0OO,6 900 we have been spending year
for national defense, about $50, 900, 900 is
wasted.
A few of the items that make up the
total We epitomize as follows:
The army is now divided among forty mine
army posts-most of them due to the greed of
politicians. If these were reduced to eight as
recommended by the War College, SIS, $780, 900
year could be saved.
To protect us against the Indians q we have
spent $20G00,000 on Forts Apache, Clare, Hua-
chuca, Mackenzie, Meade, Missoula. Robinson,
Sill, Russell, Douglas, Leavenworth, Riley and
Smelling.
In the last fourteen years we have spent
$14.000.000 without reference to military ex
pediency on eight posts in Indiana, Georgia,
Iowa, CdH10rnla, Oklanoma anu Alaska
Nine navy yards on the Atlantic are unsuited
to present and future needs of the navy. They
have COST including harbor dredging, 1920, 000-
600.
In fifteen years the United States has spent
81 ,656 900 900 on the navy. In the same period
Germany has spent 81 ,137, 000. 600, tho our navy
is rated behind Germany.
Charleston Navy Yard is too shallow (cost
S., 900, 0O0), Port Royal had to be abandoned
(cost So, 000,000). Naval training station on
the Great Lakes accommodates 1000 men but
has never bad more than eco (cost $500. 00O).
Portsmouth somewhat unsuitable for purposes
for which it was made (cost 500 600 000).
Philadelphia shallow and inaccessible to part
of navy (cost Sl3. GOO, 000). Mare Island cannot
berth largest ships (cost $4,000, 000). Naval
dock, but Pennsylvania Congressman stopped
it, and because it could not be put at Philadel-
phia whole thing has been abandoned, etc, etc.
The President has totally ignored in
his message the questions raised by the
above citations. The American people
should inquire into them. Let the useless
army posts and navy yards be forthwith
abandoned. Let efficiency experts be
employed thruout the army and navy,
and when all the the red tape has been
shipped and the needful economies intro
duced, then the Presidents invitation to
the American people to tax themselves
severely for preparedness will come with
q better grace.