New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-25
The Country Wants To Be Ready

The Tribune has noted profound realization
among It's readers and throughout the country
Of the necessity for greater military preparedness
Just how overwhelming this sentiment Is the
current Literary Digest makes plain in a ma
tion-wide poll Of the press Of the country Such
polls like the straw ballots OF the political cam
paign, are far from infalhble; but taken with
other indications they can give very fair lndi-
cation of the general direction Of public sentiment
"The Literary Digest" sent out three queries:
l. Do you think our national defences now ade-
ouate? 2. Do you favor stronger standing
army? 8. Do you favor a stronger navy? The
results, covering the entire country from coast
70 coast. were as follows 272 thought our defences
inadequate, 1I9 thought them adequate; 2lO
favored stronger standing army, l5S opposing
it 2s5 favored a stronger navy, 1O9 opposing II.
There was little extreme sentiment IN either
direction. Jingoism was practically not limited
at: and the Bryan" Evening POST peace-at-any-
price view found but scattering support. The
great majority Of editors in advocating larger
army and navy took the plain common-sense view
Of the situation as stated by The Hampton (Va)
Monitor: organs universal peace is beautiful
but abored nothingness. We've got to look
facts and human motives in the face" The ideals
Of militarism were universally resented, as by
"The La Grange (Ga.) Reporter for example
We do not think our national defences are now
ndeouate and we favor strengthening both the
standing army and the navy. But We are opposed
70 anything tending toward policy Of aggression
or the cultivation OF national spirit similar 10 iat
which controlled in Germany. Our spirit and action
should be entirely precautionary and Tor the ldent
st-rs au
and other officers Of the law in our municipalities.
A somewhat larger standing army-the desira-
bic figure ranging all the way from 100000 up
to 2OOoOO-and greatly increased militia Of a
much higher efficiency than our present corps were
the prevailing note among those who thought our
present land defences inadequate. Definite plans
for increasing reserves and national guard were
notably lacking, as they have been in all discus
sion. In fact, "The St. Louis Republic took the
view of the whole subject that "he foundation for
intelligent discussion has not yet been supplied
and favored "the working out Of definite mill
tary and naval policy, to be submitted to the
nation for discussion. Il is just this lack Of i'm
partial, authoritative facts which has led The
Tribune TO advocate national council Of defence
to draft such farreaching policy.
The preparedness sentiment was naturally
strongest on the coasts. east and west 1t was
slightly less strong in the Gulf states and weak
est in the Mississippi Valley. Yet even there, in
the heart Of what has been generally rated the
Little Navy country, JIG editors voted for a
stronger army, with s. against, and 1873 for a
stronger navy. with Ga against.
The poll leaves little doubt that the country
throughout has awakened to its dangers and
wishes TO know how it can prepare itself against
them It's face is as resolutey set against mill
tarism as ever. But it sees a, vast difference be-
tween throwing away all weapons, in reliance upon
Mr.. Bryan and prayer, and keeping a highly
efficient army and navy comparable to locks and
bolts on a householder's doors and windows and
a policeman on the beat.