Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-07-24
ASKS BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Between Army and THE PUBLIC
Honolulu, T. H., July u. 1915.
Iffor uonoh1iu Cfor pullatin

vi Honolulu, T. H., July IL, 1915.
Editor Honolulu Star Bulletin.
Sir: Please allow space in youl
valuable paper for the few lines which
follow: The subject which ] have In
fmind for partial discussion is one SC
broad, deep and wide as to affect the
we'll being, in an indirect way, oil
every individual subject Of American
domain-'.the efficiency Of the Ameri.
can army" This subject is one SC
large and complex that its discussion
may will remind one of attempting to
grasp large ball so large that the
hand will not take hold.
War is, am sorry to say, imminent:
and yet soothingly our eyangelists OF
optimism, peace and brotherly love
have hypnotised us with charming
lullaby that to be prepared against
war and TO maintain our peace and
prosperity is heinous crime of sinful
militarism. But no longer do the well
turned sentences OF the diplomatic
note suffice. American lives and prop
erty cannot be destroyed forever. The
patience Of the American people will
net continue to stretch like q rubber
band. It is either fight sooner or
later, or take water Then the i'm
Dortanf question arises, with what will
we fight7 Our little army, efficient
In personnel, is ineffective for lack
Of material. Yet when that trying
hour comes we must place our all on
the military forces OF our country.
Therefore. the future Of one hundred
million souls and the destiny of the
nation hinges on the American army
and navy. The first days battle might
decide the fate of nation that might
have been credit to the world as a
military power. AS an eminent writer
once said: Let US take stock sober
i. like men facing big issue, setting
aside the high-sounding flub-dub of
Fourth Of July oratory, and get down
10 plain facts" Could our army, as an
instrument of peace, compete with a
first-class power? Could our navy de-
stroy the high-sea force Of q first-class
naval power. and keep them from land.
ing on our shores? Decidedly no, we
are too weak at the breech. And what
Il the causei Congress and the Am
|IIIIM HCN|iS1 - we'll % ttlS atSAAt'
cheney Of the heads Of the various de-
rartments in the military service.
The government Of the American
army. being semi-politicai Is unmiii-
tary, wasteful. uneconomical Pat.
termed on antiquated ideas Of the Co
l0nlal period. IT'S clumsy machinery
has always broken down In the stress
Of war II exists for administration,
but not for fighting. II has no basic
policy, either as 10 strategy, mobiliza-
ton. tactics or building program for
the logical growth Of ITSELF
The head Of the American army 1.-THE
secretary Of war) must be q civilian.
He is q politician. without any speci.
Tic knowledge Of military affairs. He
has fun authority to disregard any
advice from even the most experience
ed military man. and there is no law
TO compel him to listen 10 the council
Of either the chief Of operations or
the general staff He Is omnipotent.
With 4 stroke of the pen he can ruin
the efficiency OF the American army.
The American people do not care
for an army or navy-they are con-
tented to continue to listen to the
peace advocates. as did England,
where. at the present time, public opin-
len and the traditions Of the sea hang
over the civilian head of the admiral
ty like the sword OF Damocles.
The day is here when the American
people must ses inelr amy an On ,a oe.,