The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-15

Congress ended its session at noon on
March without having done Oh" thing
toward assuring the preparedness OF our
military establishment for war.
The discussion of the needs of the mill
tary establishment OF the United States
has this winter engaged great many
of the ableSt minds of the nation. and
there has been practical unanimity in the
opinion that vigorous action was neCes-
sary by Congress and that speedily. says
the New York Sun. Yet despite the fact
that the voice Of the nation has spoken.
plainly and with unusual distinCtness.
Congress went home for a period OF nine
months. leaving the question exactly
where it was when the conflict in Europe
gave a renewed impetus t. the movement
for adequate insurance OF the country
against the disasters Of war. In view
of the fact that two months ago It
seemed certain that Congress would act
on the subject of military def"nses. the
disappointment OF those most devoted TO
this cause is all the greater.
Schism Defeats Defense.
As il the failure of Congress to take
up the problem Of the national de-
lenses and work out some sort of an
swcr to it in the hour when such re-
Spouse was certainly demanded by thu
ing there has developed in the last few
weeks another factor making the situa-
ton even more diSCouraginE. This new
factor. which if not eliminated cannot
but rctard action at the next meeting of
Congress. is the schism among those 10
whom Congress and tn" public must look
for wise recommendations as 10 what
is best to be done. that is. in the War
Department and the United States army
itself
Secretary of War Garrison gave him
self unreservcdly to the cause of i'm
provemcnt of the national defenses. and
nothing could have been more cOnvinC-
ing as to the necessity for action than
his generally applauded annual report
The Secretary went further and had
drafted and presented in Congress six
bills, embodying what action might we'll
be taken without a moments delay, to-
ward preparing the land forces of the
United States for war. These bills died
in the Senate. To them. however, the
Secretary is committed. and they rep
resent the program which II is his present
intention to press for enactment at the
next session of Congress.
They had hardly been presented.
however. when there began to develop
an opposition to them within the mill
tary service istelf. an opposition which
Senate. 1t is doubtful whether even
If Congress remained in session in
definitely these bills could have been
passed in the upper house unless
President Wilson had been willing to
give them the same kind OF support
he gave the ship-purchase bill The
President, however, gave no sign that
he was aware of the existence of these
measures Had these bills received
L g ~
partment and the army il is probable
their passage could have been brought
about, but with the military establish
ment divided against itself on these
recommendations there is no telling
what may happen to them in the
future.
Officers Exert Influence.
Officially. of course. the recommends
tions of the Secretary of War are those
Of the War Department and of the army:
no officer is privileged to combat them
publicly Practically, however. officers
of the army are in position to exert
influence upon public and
opinion. and many en-
deayored to make effective their opposi-
ton to the measures which We're officially
declared to be what the War Department
and the army wanted. Congress to enact
into law.
Through letters in the newspapers,
through articles written by persons in
sympathy with their views and countless
devious methods of reaching the ears of
Senator's and Representatives. the army
can make its opinions factor In any
legislative situation. With regard to Mr.. |
proposals. this opposition made |
itself effective to the extent of alternating |
Senator Chamberlain, of Oregon. chair |
man of the Military Affairs Committee. !
from support of the Garrison measure |
This fact alone was sufficient seriously !
TO menace the Garrison bills
That the military establishment Just |
nj the moment when its chances of Sc |
curing helpful legislation seemed more !
favorable than at any other time in |
years. should suddenly divide within |
itself as to details of this legislation. |
IS regarded as nothing short of tragic |
The Secretary of War holds the digni- |
sed position that. the six bills being |
MIS- recommendation. discipline OF the |
army requires that the service support !
hem in every possible way. The |
army. however. seemed unable to with |
stand the temptation of riskins these
bills, which even their critics admit
would help considerably. in the hope OF
getting something alleged to be much