New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-15
Penitence or Politics?

One year ago the Secretary Of the Navy
told an astonished nation that the Ameri-
can feet was in a state Of complete pre-
paredncss. Somewhat later naval experts
concurred in a report which set forth the
solid fact that it would take five years Of
real work TO prepare the fleet.
One year ago the President Of the
United States knocked the proposals of the
Secretary Of War into a cooked hat by
message which destroyed the sensible and
excessively modest suggestions of Mr.
Garrison. This is the record Of the pres
ent administration in the matter OF ma
Sional preparedness.
Now, finally, after we have been on the
edge Of war, Mr.. Wilson gives his sane
ton 10 a proposal TO increase the army
and the navy. The details Of the plan
remain unknown, but the public is prompt
" informed of the cost. This Is patiently
an effort TO stimulate enthusiasm and
accelerate popular applause
If the present administration honestly
favors some step, some reasonable pro
gramme Of national preparedness both for
the army and for the navy, it will have the
support Of the country as whole, with
out regard TO party. But there is not the
smallest reason yet 10 believe that the
administration is doing more than expert
menting in words, without any sincere
intention 10 act.
The present is the last chance of the
Democratic national administration 70
deal with the question of national defence
It's previous record is one of insincerity
and arrant cowardice II has neglected
the country's defences. 1t has placed the
navy i'm the hands of ridiculous incom-
petcnt. and it has permitted political con-
siderations to thwart the efforts of the
Secretary of War, who has the confidence
of army men and a larger measure OF
public confidence than any other member
Of Mr. Wilson's Cabinet.
The test of the sincerity Of the recent
conversion will be sought and found in
the course of the Democratic majority in
Congress. It will be found in later incl
dents. which will demonstrate whether
Mr.. Wilson and his advisers have escaped
from the domination Of Mr.. Bryan and his
comic opera peace treaties
There is not the smallest reason now
for any one to believe that the present
administration means TO do anything for
national defence, aside from certain ten
tative suggestions to-day coming from
Washington. If fear of political conse-
ouences is now exercising an influence
which intelligent patriotic perception
failed TO exercise, the country may rejoice,
but it certainly will not feel called upon
TO praise or bestow its confidence.
Torn between Its fear lest Bryan and
his followers may seize upon the prepared
ness proposals OF the administration TO
turn their "God bless you" into "God
strdfe you," and its dread lest the coun-
try take drastic action a year hence 70
punish a party whose instruments have
so mishanded national defences, the adj
minstration is now embarking upon a
programme of national defence.
But who can tell which fear will perma-
nently prevail? Who can say confidently
that any programme will be sincerely ad-
vocated or honestly supported? If the
present proposal is an evidence Of sincere
repentance, if it is an honest confession
Of earlier folly, well and good. The re-
pentance was required; the folly patent
but the sincerity of the repentance is some
thing TO be considered