The Washington herald., 1915-11-05

definite support from the national gov
ernment and q more definite connection
| with the military organization OF thu
nation.
'1what we al wish to accomplish Is that
the forces OF the nation should indeed
be mart of the nation and not q separate
professional force. and the chief cost OF
the system would not be IN the enlist
ment or in the training OF the men, but
In the providing OF ample equipment In
case II should be necessary TO call AL
forces into the field.
Would Hasten Navy Work.
Moreover. Il has been American policy
time out Of mind to look 70 the navy as
the first and chief line of defense The
navy Of the United States Ia already
very great and efficient force. Not rap
Idly, but slowly, with careful attention,
our naval force has been developed until
the navy OF the United States stands rec
ognized as one of the most efficient ana
notable of the modern time. All that Is
needed I'm order to bring It to q point OF
extraordinary force and efficiency as
compared with the other navies OF the
world Is that we should hasten our pace
In the policy we have long been pursu-
ing, and that chief of all we should have
q definite policy Of development. not
made from year to year, but looking Wen
into the future and planning for def
mite consummatIon. We can and should
profit In all that we do by the experience
and example that have been made OBJ
vious to us by the military and naVai
events of the actual present. 1t Is not
merely a matter of building battleships
and cruisers and submarines, but also
matter of maAhg sure that we shan
have the adequate equipment Of men and
munitions and supplies for the vessels
we build and intend to build. Part OF
our problem is the. problem Of what 1
NAV call the mobilization OF the resources
OF the nation at the proper time II II
should ever be necessary TO mooiilze
them for national defense. We shall
study efficiency and adequate equipmenf
as carefully as we shall study the num-
Der and size of our ships. and ! believe
that the plans already in part made pub
lie by the Nay Department are plans
which the whole nation can approve with
rational enthusiasm.
No thoughtful man feels any panic
haste in this matter. The country is not
threatened from any Ouarter. She STANDS
in friendly relation with all the world.
Her resources are known and her self
respect and her capacity to care Tor her
own citizens and her own rights. There
In no fear amongst us. Under the New
World COnQltlOnB VIC hhNt DSSNAA@N
thoughtful OF the things which all rea-
sonable men consider necessary for secur-
Ity and self-defense on the part Of every
nation confronted with the great enter
prise Of human liberty and Independence.
That is all.
Asks Nations support.
rs the plan we propose sane and rea-
sonable and suited to the needs OF the
hour? Does II not conform to the an
cient traditions of America? Has any
better plan been proposed than this pro-
gram that we now place before the
country? In It there is no pride OF opin-
ion. It represents the best professional
and expert Judgment OF the country.
But I am not so much interested In pro-
gram as / am in safeguarding at every
cost the good faith and honor OF the
country. IL men differ with me In this
vital matter I shall ask them TO make
IL clear how far and in what way they
are interested In making the permanent
interests OF the country safe against dis
turbRnce.
In the fulfllment OF the program I
propose / shall ask for the hearty sup
port OF the country. OF the rank and file
Of America, of men of all shades Of
political opinion. For my position in this
important matter is different from that
OF the private individual who is free to