The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-08-20
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complete and up-to-date information to the state
of our Army and Navy or that he is lacking in
knowledge or sympathy with the plans of the heads
of these depattmetts Therefore il may be assumed
that His public call upon Secretaries Garrison and
Daniels for war plans has some other motive. To
those who read between the lines would appear that
the President is going before congress this coming
winter with pretty heavy demand on war and navy
account and that his call for information is only a
diplomatic way of enlistng the country in behalf of
these demands. Preparedness is unquestionably a
growing issue Manfestly the President is for it. But
he will have to fight Mr. Carneye's peace society, also
the German propagandists who are working behind
the mask of pacfcism and he naturally wishes in so
far as he may to stack the cards fayorably Shrewd
politician he is, the President wishes to array the
sentiment of the country the side of what is to be
the administrative program. Is,
When it was given out last week from the White
House that the President had called on Garrison and
Daniels for war plans only half the truth was told
On March Is last the general board Of the Navy
sent to each bureau of that department confidential
letter enclosing that part of the boards plans for
war in the Atlantic affecting the bureau addressed
There added the request to the bureaus to study
this plan, and for each to mold its work in ac-
cordance Herewith and to report fully under the plan
also to point out any defects in it. These bureau
reports have been coming in ever since The Navy
knows what its resources and it has them well
in hand If we should go to war tomorrow there
would be no trouble about supplies, including coal
and food. Reserve stocks are ready or available
This does not mean that the navy department has
got all il wants 1t will come before congress this
fall with a request for an increase of from Is 600
to 25,0o0 in persomelit now has less than $1,000
Its constructive program will include four dread
thoughts and from thirty to fifty submarines. in
Guiding several of the Schey type of big, sea-going
underwater craft Probably two battle cruisers will
be asked for. 1t Is also probable that two scout
cruisers will be on the list For navy aeronautics
100000 will be wanted. In addition the program
will call for several destroyers. an oil fuel ship
mine planter and what is called a submarine mother
ship.
The army in the summer of 1912 through the
general staff submitted report containing COM
plete scheme for the reorganization of land
defenses Ever since then the Army has been work
ing upon these suggestions. In fact ever since he
has been in Office Secretary Garrison has been cook
ing up scheme for organization and development
of the Army. The demand is to be put before con-
gress for addition to the regular army of least
$4,000 men for general purposes, for a material
addition to, the coast artillery personnel for the
addition of four regiments of field artillery Gin
which arm are lamentably weak, for the further
liberalization of the militia the creation of new
volunteer corps to serve as second line for sharp
increase in the number of officers. for larger classes
at West Point, for probationary commissions for
militia officers. for the detailing of regular army
officers for duty with militia troops for the creation
of reserves, and for short enlistment periods All
this is with view to having available at all times,
in regular army and militia, at least 100000 trained
men under trained officers well equipped and posses
sing ample reserve supplies of munitions, with every
thing else needed This is really the minimum of
what Secretary Garrison wants OF course there
auxiliary aids which figure in his plan. such as
aircraft and other special services necessary under
the present practiseS of
Just how far the President will 60 in asking con-
gress to meet the demands of the branches of our
service above forth is yet clear But from
his recent action in calling for information which
is only another way of putting the matter before the
country-t may reasonably be inferred that he will
recommend pretty stiff program, What the att-
>tude of congress will be only be surmiSed 1t is
not the way of congress to give all that is asked But
under the conditions they present themselves there
is growing up popular sentiment for preparedness.
Given hearty boost by the President there is likely
t. arise a popular demand that will not be denied,
One man has of late years practically controlled the
action of congress in military affairs. That man is
General Ainsworth (retired) and the agent of his
domination is Congressman Hay, chairman of the
house committee on military affairs. Answorth-
and of course Hay--are for tight little professional
army. This policy has not been seriously challenged,
albeit it has been persistently opposed by General
Leonard Wood. But it cannot stand one hour against
the wish If it shall grow into a popular movement
of the country for larger scheme of preparedness
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