Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-11
j. S. NEEDS MORE
OF STANDING ARMY
Secretary of War Garrison Urges
Adoption of Definite
Military Policy.
NO DANGER OF MILITARlSM
of War and Love of
Peace Thoroughly Consistent
With Wise Precautions.

NEW YORK. April lO.-Lindlcy NJ
Garrison. Secretary of War. in a dis
cussion of national defense at n ban
quet of the Democratic Club of Vest
chester County here tonight. declared
that no one who suggested that peace
was to be obtained through feebleness
should be listened to. and that "ab-
horrence of war and love of peace arc
thoroughly consistent with wise mill
tary precautions"
The problem OF what military policy
the United States should adopt and
pursue. he said. rs here now for our
solution" we have no right" Mr..
Garrison declared, from any stand
point to evadc IT or avoid 1t: we must
realize our responsibility, fcarlessly
face the facts, and do those things
which are wise and proper in the cir
cumstances. Forethought and precau-
tion are distinguishing differences be-
tween wisdom and folly.
This obligation" he continued
does not arise solely out of selfish
consideration of our personal safety:
1T was undertaken In our name by the
founders of the government, who
promised to provide for the common
defense on behalf OF themselves and
their posterity; and, therefore. as
trustees Of those who are to come af-
ter US. we have no right to leave them
exposed to the hazards of the future
without having provided the safe
guards which reason dictates
Mr.. Garrison asserted that the need
of more Of n standing army than we
h fs
one who considers the subject" and
trained reserves.
The mobile military force in the
United States, he said, was less than
$4,000 men. while OF the organized
militia, it was not expected by those
who know. that anything like their
full numbers would respond TO the call
for national service"
This Is an exceptionally opportune
time." Mr.. Garrison continued, Ito con-
slider this question. because. while the
war In Europe has centered the atten-
tion of our people upon the subject
matter, We have no aggressive inten-
tion against any nation. and there Is
no hint OF any such aggressive inten-
ton on the part OF any nation
against us.
IMPERATIVE NEED
OF PROPER MEASURES
The subject itself has nothing novel
In 1t. From the foundation of the gov
eminent to the present time It has re-
ceived the careful consideration of
those whose responsibilities or expert
ence caused them to comprehend the
situation. All such practically reached
similar conclusions as to the impera-
tive need of proper measures of pre-
caution. Unfortunately, for one rea-
son or another, they were never able
TO cause the enactment of their con-
ciusions into permanent form, and
when occasion required, resort was
had 10 makeshifts and expedients. with
all of the disastrous and humiliating
results of such inadequate treatment of
this vital subject.
When the public opinion OF this
country has determined upon what
general principles its military policy
shall be founded. there will be no diff
hculty in working out the details and
putting the same into effect. The diff
ficulty has been. and is. to get the
matter so brought home TO the indi-
Tidual citizen that he will realize its
vital Importance. give il his best at
tention, and aid in its wise solution.
The difficulties inhering in the nature
or the subject are great enough with
out the misfortune of artificial OBJ
stacies placed in the way of its wise
settlement. Such artificial obstacles
are those created by well-meaninc pco-
pie. who confuse the subject By in
jecting into it considerations which do
not properly belong there. Abhor-
nf
thoroughly consistent with wise mill
tary precautions. There is no issue in
this country, and there can be none.
between militarism and pacifsm. No
one who is taken seriously Is even sug-
gestinE militarism: and no one who
suggests that peace is to be obtained
through feebleness should be listened
to. The great sober sense of this
country will surely not let it's direc-
tton be DETECTED by so unsubstantial
an obstacle. what we are striving for.
and what every wise. patriotic citizen
should join in attaining, is proper
military policy
The way to attain this object is to
consider the past. observe the present
and take forcthought for the future.
We know that in the past this matter
has not received proper consideration
on behalf of the public. Washington,
Adams and Jefferson-the three great
! men who snccessivcly held the office
Of President--pleaded with the people
to do what should be done in this
connection. but their pleading was
futile. Washington's bitter cxperi-
ence with unframed men and with a
nation unprepared for war is we'll
known to all OF us. and his references
thereto are too numerous for citation.
They may be summed up, however, In
this statement Of his:
"'The jealousy of n standing army
and the evils to be apprehended from
one are remote. and. in my Judgment,
situated and circumscribed as we are.
not at all to be dreaded; but the oon-
sequence Of wanting one, according to
my Views formed from the present view
OF things. is certain and inevitable
ruin"
Mr.. Garrison pointed out the prob
law 80 Na$