The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-13


In this connection 1t is essential e
keep certain things constantly in
mind. In countries where the service
OF the individual Is required by the
nation In the game way that his
I money is required Of him by taxation
the cost to the nation is minimfyed
and is largely occasioned by the pur.
chase Of material supplies. 1t is like
wise true that the standard OF living
| s much higher in this country thar
elsewhere: that rent, fuel, clothing
food and other necessities Of life are
| higher, Just as wages and salaries are.
it should also be remembered thu:
the vast territory and the small num-
! Der of troops therein increase the cost
of transportation here over Its cost
! elsewhere to very great amount
Comparisons between the cost OF n
| military establishment in this coun-
! try, and In any other country. are
not only useless, but harmful and mis-
| leading II they fail to take into ac'
/! count and accurately determine tina
effect of the matters just referred 10
upon the totals in the respective IA.
| tons concerned.
| Any present consideration of the
subject of military policy requires us
to recognize that at this time the reo-
| pie of the country believe that a safe
| reliance can be placed upon their
patriotism, and that II is not neces-
sary to resort to compulsory require
ments to provide assurance for the
nations safety.
Having gone through the necessary
process of clearing the way for true
vision and correct consideration, we
come to the specific recommendations
concerning the proper policy to be
adopted
This nation has risen and prospered
1 in way that, even to us, who lack
perspective, seems marvellous, and in
a way which future history will re-
cord as unprecedented and almost in
explicahle. The earth of our dornain
Is filled with the riches of nature and
| fertile for the production of all OF
natures bounties. Our population OF
approximately 100. 100000 people has
gathered and laid by riches to an ag-
gregate greater than any hitherto
known, Our form OF government,
largely, II not wholly. experimental
at the outset, has so far demonstrated
the wisdom OF those who framed it.,
and the patriotism and wisdom of
those who have administered II. AL
though very often engaged in war,
we have so far survived all shocks
! from without or within, and never
1 III Cut l1lStciS WtTC we IhoIc yustaitcii
| in self graduation. Direfu1 indeed
would 1t be If this feeling OF self
j satisfaction should have the result.
so often in history. of self-indulsence.
I self deception, and the choice of the
easiest way. When nation or an
individual comes to believe that he
/ or II is the favorite OF fortune AND
/ therefore need not face stern realities
/ and imperative duties and RESPONSE
biltties, disaster IS near, is deserved.
and occurs.
! We must therefore view our respon-
sihilties and measure up to them.
/ Outside of the direct responsible
/ ties to our own citizens and those
which we have assumed In territories
over the seas, we have declared that
the other independent nations OF this
continent shall remain inviolable III
respect to their independence,
| The duty of the nation. en1oined
upon 1t no less by Independent con-
sideration of the principles which in
here In government than by the ex-
/ press language of the Constitution, is
to take proper measures for the de-
Tense OF the rights of the nation as
mea sured by is responsibilities. That
we have not thus far done those
things wisely which equip us to main
/ tain our responsibilities requires
neither statement nor demonstration.
! That We should do them is undoubt-
eddy the consensus of opinion of the
sensible people of the United States
/ today.
In proposing a military policy to be
adopted at this time, the very first
thing to do must be to agree upon
the proper basis.
| The subject could, theoretically. be
approached without regard to exist,
ing constitutional and legal provisiofS;
and existing institutions and senti-
ments. Undoubtedly this method
would result in proposals that would
/ he sound from military point 81
view. and would theoretically APP
proach perfection. The necessity OF
! making such a system practicable,
/ however. would require constitutional
amendments, reversal of existing
institutions, and the changing of OK
listing sentiments to such an extent
as to make it safe prediction that
little, If anything, would be accom-
plshed, and that only after the pas
saee of a great length OF time
The other possible method of APP
| proassin9 the subject is one which
recognizes existing constitutional and
legal provisions, existing institutions.
and the sentiments OF the people in
/ Sonar as tiey concern Nitdl portions
/ Of the system.
AS between the two methods of ap-
proach. it seems so clearly the part
of wisdom to choose the one last
stated as not to require elaboration
of reason.
/ The Most Practical Policy.
The essential. the imperative thing,
/ Is TO make such wise military prep
arations and take such wise precau-
! tons as are presently possible These
reasons dispose of many suggestions
which are entirely worthy OF consId-
Grafton from u military standpoint,
but which could not be made effec-
tive under existing conditions. Mill
tary systems based upon universal mill
itary service, upon CONSUMPTION, or
upon national control of the pubic
school system, fall under this head,
as also does any policy which can only
/ he made operative by constitutional
amendment, or by identical, con-
temporaneous legislation in the forty
/ eight States of the Union. In any
policy proposed. moreover, the matter
OF the cost OF its maintenance has
much to do with its acceptability not
/ that there should be any legitimate
objection to the necessary expense OF
a proper policy. but that there would
! he legitimate objection to the adop-