New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-28
DANGER OF MILITARISM
Tribune Criticised for Minimizing
Move for Greater Armament.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Some time ago you took it upon your
self to critcise city pastors who in their
Fourth of July sermons deplored the fact
hat there was a militaristic movement under
way in this country. Aside from mentioning
that these ministers of the GOSPEL might
better have taken some other theme for their
patriotic sermons, you stated that they were
also mistaken, in that the people Of the
United States did not want militarism that
they desired only preparedness. No effort
was made in your editorial on the subject TO
support this statement, however, the imp!ica-
ton being, suppose, that it was to be ac-
cepted merely because it was set forth by
the time honored Tribune. A guilty con-
science is always utra-senstive. | wonder
if that is the reason you rushed into your
columns in defence of your viewpoint from
the indignant attacks of these men OF God,
when, if your statements are to be taken as
the truth, these assaults could not possibly
have been directed at you at all.
There is miitaristic movement on foot
in this country, The Tribune to the contrary
notwithstanding. You seem to take it for
granted that the moderate military policy
ported by the people at large. and that be-
cause you do not favor militarsm as prac-
tised abroad there cannot therefore he mill
taristic movement in the United States, as
the clergymen claim. There your logic takes
on a sort of Teutonic hue. One cannot in
tcrview advocates of increased armament
without being impressed with the wide vari-
ance of their opinions as to what adequate
preparedness would consist Of. Is it not sig
niicant that committee chosen by the Secu
rity League, supposedly after as careful
thought as such men are capable Of returned
recommendations which, if adopted, would
install bare and unadorned militarsm in our
lard? Was it noted by the editor that a
picked committee of this organization, which
is being patted on the back by our newspa-
pers. among other things in its report &C
tualy recommended the study of military
tactics in the public schools for scholars
thirteen years old or older? II this does not
indicate a militaristic movement | should
very much like to have some better informed
person than myself properly classify it for
me.
Also, if the average greater armament"
man whom | have observed is typical, there
are more in this class who would favor the
adoption of the insanity of the Security
League committee than would support your
policy. The aforementioned average greater
armament" man is not of the mental tenn
permanent that has much patience with mod
Grafton. A little canvassing among this large
sect would convince you that that which you
advocate would be far too tame in their esti-
nation.
The public mind has been so unbalanced
by the happenings OF the last year that the
increasing of our armament will surely be
authorized at the next session of Congress
No newspaper pressure is now necessary to
make this certainty. The time has arrived
when The Tribune can best serve its coun-
try by throwing its advocacy in favor Of eau
t.ous proceeding. 1t can safely leave the
agitation TO our "yellows," where it really
primarily belongs HARRY y. STARK.
Brooklyn, July %, 1918.