New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-17
Daniels Should Go, as Well as
Bryan.

yively on pacific means IOr Ihe pIoIeCIIOiI
Of national rights and interests.
Mr.. Bryan's position was thoroughly
logical and consistent. His aim was to
abolish war and thus to obyiate the neces-
sitv of preparedness for war With Mr..
Wilson's approval he negotiated a series
Of treaties, supplemental to our general
arbitration treaties, under the terms OF
which the signatories agreed TO submit any
question not yielding to negotiation or not
disposed of by arbitration to a breathing
spell" commission of inquiry. That COM
mission is to have the power to delay
threatening action by holding up its report
for a YEAR Having confidence in the eff
cacy of this machinery, Mr.. Bryan wanted
to avoid trouble with Germany by submit
ting Internationally to mediation or arbi-
tration the principles involved in the Lusi-
tania case.
Mr.. Wilson disagreed with his Secretary
of State and reserved the right Of enforc-
ing the position taken by the United States
in any manner conformable to its dignity
and iudgment-if necessary, by an appeal
to arms. The country supports him IN
hat view. since it is obvious that an OF
nee like the murder of neutrals on the
Ugh seas cannot properly be arbitrated
disposed Of by dilatory diplomatic pro-
.eedings. if the nation committing massa-
re does not at once give pledges that its
barbarous slaughter Of neutral non-com-
batants will cease.
The Presidents policy contemplates the
possibility of war, and in that respect IS
the direct reverse of Mr.. Bryan's policy.
But to contemplate the possibility of war
Is to admit the necessity of preparedness
or war. Having broken with Mr.. Bryan
on one point the President should have
broken with him definitely on both points.
It we are not going to depend implicitly
on diplomacy, mediation and arbitration
for the protection of our rights we must
have at our command the only other de-
fensive weapons possible-an adequate
navy and an adequate army.
Mr.. Bryan's departure from the Cabinet
on the particular issue which forced 1t
should have meant the departure Of all
the other members who believe that navies
and armies are maintained only as a con-
cession to habit and not for actual use.
Mr. Daniels. the Secretary of the Navy,
has been a follower Of Mr.. Bryan and
supporter of Mr.. Bryan's theories of pa
cifcism. He has devoted more time and
energy to making the navy an institution
. of learning"-a sort Of high school for the
enlisted man-than he has TO making it
highly tempered military instrument.
In his speech before the National Secur-
ity League on Tuesday ex-Secretary
George Won /. Meyer, after summarizing
the many glazing defects in our naval es-
tablishment, said; in calling attention
10 these defects l have not done so for the
desire Of crititising the present head Of
the navy, although l DO believe that he is
responsible for the demoralized condition
Of the personnel and the decreased eff
cheney of the navy"
When an ex-Secretary of the Navy Of
Mr.. Meyers high character can say that
of his successor the need Of a change in
the Cabinet which will emphasize the true
purpose Of a navy is manifest and .impera-
tive.
So long as the administration depended
upon Mr.. Bryan and his schemes Of pa
cifcation 10 protect the country in all con-
tingencies Mr.. Daniels was a logical
enough choice for the head Of the navy
the only branch Of our military service
which can boast of fair degree Of devel-
opment. But now that Mr.. Bryan has
gone and the President has refused TO
consider diplomacy a sufficient and un-
falling means Of national defence, the
present head Of the Navy Department has
become a misft He is not in sympathy
with any programme which looks TO the
subordination Of the fads and fancies Of
his educational scheme TO genuine mill
tary efficiency. He cannot manage the
navy intelligently because he does not COM
prehend what a navy is and what it needs.
Preparedness for national uses should
be the cole ideal Of naval administration
II the navy is not 20 be expanded and
rounded out; II the personnel IL not to be
strengthened and the feet fitted 20 meet
the tests Of actual warfare; II we are not
TO have real army TO serve as second
line Of defence; If the Presidents foreign
policy is not 10 be backed up by adequate
military resources, it>was a mistake 70
drive Mr. Bryan out Of the Cabinet In
case Mr. Daniels Is allowed TO remain and
the ideas which he stands for are not to-
be thrust aside, Mr.. Bryan ought 70. be
welcomed back. The admi1stration mayl