Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-19
Critics of Preparedness

universal transcription unQuestionably is
the best means OF providing for the nationai
defense. 1t provides al unlimited quantity
OF human material at the very lowest cost. 1t
fosters the military virtues OF discipline and
obedience. From the viewpoint OF the pro-
fcssioMal soldier ii has no deficiencies worthy
the name.
When it is sought To he applied. however.
10 the solution of.the American defense prob
lem il has one quite serious deficiency name
~. that it is impossible. Ii Colonel Roosc-
welt and the other consCrDtionists would take
the trouble 10 learn the temper OF the people
of this country, they would begin 10 under
stand that We are in no more danger of
adopting compulsory universal service as
national defense principle than we are OF
adopting Buddhism as national religion
What profit is there therefore in criti-
ciSmS ot the administrations preparedness
plan based on assertions that there should be
Il regular army OF at least 250. 900 men. with
100000 in reserve? That sort OF thing
considering the difference in annual cost he.
tween the American soldier and his Europcau
brother. means either conscription or Il stag
Serlng burden OF expense Colonel RooSc-
welt has been frank enough to say that he does
favor CONSUMPTION, but not all of his fellow
critics follow this example. Most of them
content themselves with comparing the armies
President Wilson and Secretary Garrison
would raise with the veteran lcgious OF Won
liindcnburg or Joire. and concluding that;
unless they are placed in the saddle the ma
tiona doom is sealed
How foolish il all is, II is America : duty
To prepare and the duty OF patriotic citizens
to urge that preparedness along lines OF pos
sibilty in ways feasible and reasonable
Compulsory universal service is impossible
Let us use the weapons that lie near a, hand
nor weep Cor others Tar beyond our reach
ON the other side--the side of the pacifist-
the critics OF the administration program are
not more happy Representative Kitchin. of
Norih Carolina the Democratic House leader
has announced his opposition. but he follows
the announcement with the statement that
he expects defeat That shows him better
prophet than analyst OF the country's emo
tons Tor when he says that "four-iifths of
the Democrats are opposed TO the national
defense scheme. he is wrong almost Ger
fanny. me proportion, far more probably
is four TO one in favor OF preparedness
The TRUTH is that men have changed their
MINDS about this matter The President is
the most distinguished OF ali the converts
but he is followed by thousands OF others in
and ont OF public life. The course OF events
IN Europe has convinced them that the conn
Try must prepare TO defend itself nor do they
snare III the slightest degree Mr. Kitchiu's
apprehension that this sudden. radical and
slupendous move for war preparation is going
To shock the civilized world"
hetween the conscrptionists and mill
tarlsjs on the one hand, and the pucifists, ON
tn" Other, stand the President and mos, or
the ordinary everyday sensible elements of
the American people. As usual Mr. Wilson
and the country take the middle ground
The! tell Us of tho Wisconsin Idea. II has
NoHoieG on itself so that there are now two.
Uncle Ike Stephenson and Uncle Ron
La Toilette The former seems to he in tho
aSccudanCy lJawavnr I-rolo IA =,