Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-27
ARMY AND NAVY INCREASE.

The Literary Digest has made poll of the newspaper
editors Of the United States the question of the pro-
posed navy and army increases The result is interest
ing, and in many respects instructive the following
summary will show:
Zone effect of EurOpes war is to raise the question of
our preparedness in case war should come to us The
topic is the subject Of discussion in congress- in the press
and in private conversation from coast to coast Without
any leaning to side the other of the debate have
sought representative verdict the opinion of upward
oil four hundred editors in all parts of the country We
have asked them three definite questions-namey whe
ther they believe national defenses adequae whe
ther they favor stronger standing army; and whether
Chey favor stronger navy AS to defenses 22 say
that deenses inadequate while 19 think them in
adequate Favorlng stronger standing army 240 as
against l5S opposing it, The vote for stronger navy is
even more markedly affirmative, being 285 in favor to
I09 against
Because it is obvious that the region in which an
editor lives must influence his judgment in degree
we have classified these expressions according to the
tura divisions OF states the Atlantic Pacific
slope and states Of the inland section 1t will be found
perhaps, that in the states having shore exposure the
demand for stronger army and especially for stronger
navy beyond dispute At the time it will be noted
that in the Interior opinion is evenly divided Few
If any, of those in favor of preparedness it should be
remarked show symptoms OF mlitarisc fever. In fact
much argument is heard from all sides against the NAL
ady The policy of President Wilson of Secretary of War
Garrison and of Secretary of the Navy Daniels outlines
our true course say some editors while others contend
that have nothing to worry about because when this
is Europe won't have any fight left in her
for years to come
"The Philadelphia Inquirer is unqualified in its udg
nent that our deenses inadequate and that need
q stronger army and navy; While the Boston Advertiser
also favols sufficient defense strength for "a national
policy of national safety This journal does not profess
TO say chow to what extent the army and navy should
be enlarged" but insists that 1--WE want our national
safety to be assured and certain Among other journals
of similar opinion are the Boston Transcript and Evening
Record Lowell Citizen Providence Journal and
Tribune, New Haven Times-Leader Buffalo News, SYRIA
cuse Post-Standard New York Herald Times, Tribune
Evening Mail American Washington Post, Star Herald
and Times Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, and Savannah News
Many editorial observers in various sections agree
with the Buffalo Times when it recommends the upbuid
ing of the National Guard as the close adjunct of the egu
lar army Thus the Waycross (Ga) JounaHerald says
"We believe in making the National Guard the strongest
military reserve in the world" and the Staunton (Va)
Leader suggesting 100000 men for the standing army
saws that these combined with IAN efficient militia with
federal pay will solve the problem of our adequate
land force The figure Of 100000 regulars is indorsed
also by the Bristol (Va) Herald Courier which adds that
f the navy is second only to Englands, it is strong
enough" Among caustc critics of our national defenses
are the Grafton (W Va) Sentinel which says that I'VE
have fourth-rate navy and a nO-rate army and the
Moundsvie (W Va) Echo which declares that our ZEN
tire defense department naturally needs eorganizng to
meet needs as European war makes apparent" In this
connection it is of interest to learn from the Hampton
(Va) Monitor which argues for an increased army and
navy, that "Bryans universal peace is beautfu-but
abored notmngness We've got to look facts and human
motives straight in the face"
similar in tone is the warning Of the Randolph (Vt)
Herald and News, which bids us get ready for trouble
when it comest surely wil' and this journal advises
gradual Increase Of our naval strength and more