The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-12-21

our poteDtiality of force, but they
counsel upon the expressed fear that Il
we possess force, we will be induced &
nse II when we should not. This posi-
ton ignores certain things which are
essential to be maintained, and /,
based upon certain assumptions which
are not Justified 1t ignores the re
spOnsibilities which we have under
taken and which we must maintain al
any self.saeri6ce 1t ignores the fact
that IL nations which possess force are
likely to use 1t when they should not
some nation which has such force /,
likely to use II against MS when II
should not. II assumes that our ma
ton NAV not be trusted with force fOl
fear that II may misuse It. ! know OF
nothing which jrstifes such an ind ct
ment Of our people ana our Nation.
"Tbe eyes of many are blinded TO
fact and their minds closed to reason
by an adherence of what they term
militatism,'' without any actual con
cepti0n Of just what this means or how
II should affect the proper consideration
OF the subject. II by miTitarism they
mean the placing Of the military autho.
rity, or II they mean that the ordinary
processes of government shall in any
way be mbservieRt to military authofi
ty " influence, no argument is needed
to secure unanimity Of opinion that this
IL not only undesirable but in this coun
try impossible. II they mean, however
that any reasonable, sensible precautiOn
Of Q military nature is militarism. then
they have reached a conclusion without
the aid of clear vision or sound reason
ing.
"Tbose who really fear militia
rism, or, more accurately stated,
those who dread real militarism,
should be the strongest advocates
Of reasonable preparation. The
latter is the preventive Of militia
rism. If they uUwisely defeat
reasonable preparedness, they leave
the country in a condition where
the inevitable result of defeat, hu-
initiation or acute apprehension
will be hasty and III advised. pro-
+ visions as to armament far beyond
anything which calm reason and
I wise provision would deem neces-
sary.
"There will be those who assert that
the proposed policy opposes the tradi-
tons of the people and runs counter
thereto. This is mere assertion; it Is
not the fact, and in truth the fact Is
ITO the contrary. The proposed policy
Ms exactly in keeping with our tradi-
tiOns. Such traditions are for stand
ing force, small in relation to popula-
,tion, and trained and equipped force
much larger in proportion thereto but
not constantly under arms. This Is
exactly what the plan proposes.
A Fact Overlooked
There will also be those who will
express regret that the policy hereto
fore pursued, of lack of proper military
precautions, is to be departed from be-
cause 1t has been invaluable as an ex-
ample to the rest of the world and we
should not remedy the lack because we
would then cease to be such an eH-
ample. 1t should be observed first, In
considering this point of view, that it
entirely overloOks the vital and inner.
atiVe duty to ourselves which requires
that we should protect and defend that
which we cherish and hold dear. Fur.
thermOre, il OverlOOks the fact that
although we have been Just the exam
pie that they desire throughout the
more than a century and a quarter Of
our existence, the results existing in
the world to-day do not warrant the
belief that our example has had any
beneficial effect.
" There are some who decrv taking
any precautions or making any prepa.
ratlOns of the military power of the
Nation because they say it will not
prevent war but will provoke it. Taking
up the last question first, the answer
has already been made TO this. Men
and nations must prepare to meet their
responsibilities: if il il inadvisable ia
develop strength sufficient to repel
wrong because such developed strength
may be misused, human nature has in.
deed reached On impasse. Why should
It he presumed that a just man or a
Just nation will cease to be lust he.
cause it has the power to be unjust
We must either trust others or trust
ourselves.
As to preparation for war prevent
ing war, that misstates the position of
the sensible advocate of prepa redness
It is not asserted that it prevents IT
hut it is asserted that it tends to pre-
vent it, and in many instances has been
demonstrated to have prevented it. The
military force prepared by the munici
pality-that is, the police-does not
prevent crime. but it tends to prevent
It, and is undoubtedly minimizes the
AggressiOns of the wrong doer against
the Ives and property of the right
dOer.
80 long as Right and Wrong
exists in the world, there will be
an inevitable conflict between
them. The Right,dOers must be
prepared to protect and defend the
Right as against the Wrong. Their
preparation will tend to prevent
the triumph of Wrong; and In those
instances, in which it does not pre-.
vent the attempt it can prevent the
success of the attempt.
Somewhat in the same vein is the
lnsisteFe of those who say ~ will
not consent to the Nation having arm,
until ] know against whom it intent.
to use them. Identical reasoning
| would result in saying " will not pla",
club or revolver in the hands of &
policeman until he tells me the name
of the criminal he intends to use then