The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-10

0ins tbh0 IN wv OulIy VU0EUII0OlO UVL IN
this country impossible II they mean.
however, that any reasonable. eenoybls
precautiop Of . military nature 70 mill.
tarixm then they have reached . con-
clusion without the cid Of clear vision
or sound reasoning.
There will b thoos who asssrt that
the proposed policy opposes the traditions
Of the people and runs counter thereto.
This Ia mere assertion /; Il 10 not the fact,
and IN truth thu tact 10 e the contrary.
The proposed policy 10 sxactly IN keeping
for a standing force. small In relation to
population, and q trained and equipped
force much larger In proportion thereto
but not constantly under armA This ID
exactly what the plan proposes.
There will also be those who viii ex.
press regret that the policy h~erstofore
pursued. Of lack Of proper military pre-
cautions, Ia to Be departed from because
It has been invaluable as q example To
the rest Of tho world and We should not
remedy the lack because We would then
cease to be such an example. II should
be observed hrst In considering this point
Of view that II entirely overlooks the
vital and imperative duty To ourselves
which requires that We should protect
and defend that which we cherish and
hold dear.
There are some who decry taking any
precautions or making any preparations
Of the military power " the nation BE-.
cause they say II will not prevent war.
but will provoke It. Tskfng up the last
question hrUt he answer q already
been made to this. Men and nations
must prepare 10 meet their responsible
ties: II Il IN mad visable to develop
strength sufficient u repel wrong be-
cause such developed strength may be
misused. human nature has indeed
reached an impasse. Why should II be
presumed that . Jus. ~ or q Just
nation will CEASE to be just because II
has the power to b untustf We must
either trust others or trust ourselves.
Cites Another raflacy.
Somewhat in the Same vein h the
insistence Of those who nay II will not
consent to the nation having arms until
know against whom II intends 30 use
them" Identical reasoning would result
in saying ~ VIM not place . club or
revolver In the hands Of = policeman
until ne tells me h name Of the crimi-
nal he intends to use them upon" or II
| will not agree TO prepare hre apparatus
unless you point out whore the dres ars
| going to be-" Wisdom demands pre-.
canton precaution demands prcpAra.
ton /; preparation IL against the day Of
| evil from any quarter.
II the only protection against evil Wa
such a. ~ undertaken after the evil
was upon 10 there would be constant
and steady retrogression I IN human AZ
fairs.
There will be some Who asssrt that
the devastating effects and the horror
produced by the war now being Waesd
| make X certain that war viii b. avoided
| for q long period Of time after the Gloss
| Of the present war. They will argue
| that the exhaustion Of resources and
| the recollection Of the awful suffering
will have the effect Of deterrinS nations
| from entering upon war.
What basis IL there for such belief!
| Certainly such basiS annot be found In
. history-our own or that Of other na-
tons.
There will be those who believe and
assert that the time when war can b
avoided by negotiation or arbitration OF
other like means will be advanced n w
refrain from adopting q proper military
policy, but X viii be set back II We dc
10. II 10 difficult to comprehend on wha,
basis such a belief a reasonably rest
and therefore, II Is difficult to reason
about II.
1t seems to rest upon the idea that Il
We are feeble and weak in action ~
will be strong INC persuasive In coun'
sci thai by avowediy neslectins to pre-
pare to protect our rights we will b
the better able to secure their pro
. lection by appeal. by arbitration o.
by argument. This u not 80 In an!
analogous case. saving only that Il
which the p~atronisinE recognition o
weakness induces the strong to abstain
from assaultng tho weak.
In all other instances he who Ia
taken up his burden in q manly way
has seen his duty and has done Il y tn
one who realizes tho necessity Of Jus
tice. insists upon It's being meted on
TO others and secures It for himself
No one need have the slightest TEA
that our voice for peaceful settlemen
Of the quarrels Of nations will receiv
any the less attention because We STAN
for the right and are prepared I main
tain It at any proper cost On tn
contrary. the voice Of such . one 10 Il
ways listened to and usually oontrola
There will DO some who approach
the subject from the wrong end. an
who by failing u take h prope
steps fall to reach the proper conclusion
without any accurate knowledge Of tn
causes they will point to the aggre
gate Of cost. and by failing to conside
the necessity of mourning the cost the,
will fall to appreciate. it, necessity. PR
marily II Is true that when a matte
Ia considered from the standpoint o
responsibility no n ha q right I
count the cost. An individual or
nation who has undertaken Q reepou
sibility or duty must measure up to
in the fullest spirit Of ec~lf-sacri6ce. Blu
without necessity OF resorting to sue
radical considerations. It y obvious tina
any necessary cost OF government Is no
only justified but imperative.
Duty Of . Nation.
Tho first consideration. therefore
should be, has the nation q responsl
bility and q duty In this respect?
It has, what Is necessary In order this
, II should take the means commensurat
with such duty or responsibility? Sec
ondly. what 10 the proper cost OF tax
| Ing such means? And thirdly. how sha
We secure that which supplies tn
means?
In this connection 1t 10 ESSENTIAL (
keep certain things constantly In min
In countries where the service OF tn
individual 10 required by the nation 1
the same way that his money b require
of him by taxation. the cost to the ns
ton Is minimlxsd and u largely OF
! casioned by the purchase Of materii
, supplies. 1t N likewise true that III
/ standard of living is much higher l
this country than elsewhere that rem
. fuel, clothing. food and other necassaris
I Of life are higher. Just "a wage q
|, salaries are.
I Any present confederation of the sui
t tect OF military policy requires Va I