The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-06-08
Un-Armarraent Argument

n FAIR sample OF the sort Of thing sane advo-
"A Gates of preparedness are confronted with
in the line of argument is afforded in the first
prize winning letter Of The American Magazines
contest on the subject shall We ARM" Prefac-
ing the publication Of the answer given the premier
place by that magazine, the editor says:
"A few months ago we asked our readers to
send us their opinion on the question Shall We
Arm" Thousands Of letters came in. The vote
was close but the Noes won by a small margin
about FIVE to four" And, out of the Thousands l"
the American Magazine, great magazine, spen-
didly edited, chose the folowing,> written from
Hyattsvlile Maryland, under the title Let's
Change Our Eagle for the Carrion-Vulture"
surpass it; Army, to alright the world Let take
young from pursuits Of industry, and march
and counter march them; and drill them till every
is trained soldier; teach them to aim and fire at
images of until they without fail shoot their
bullets where heart might be imagined to exist direct
them to throw shells 50 they may destroy villages and
kill the inhabitants; inform them how best to drop
aerial bombs to slaughter men, Of less Importance,
and children instruct them how most efficiently
wipe churches and schools factories and docks
Make iders useful by training them in expeditions
ways of celebrating works of thought and labor Let
military grow and grow until every field shall
port its soldier; let schoolboys turn from such eff
Terminate sports baseball, football skating, running
manning and slaughtering our kind
Arm against whomi Against the Japanese, of course
Who every Hobson Informed u.s. stood ready to
pounce upon our coasts before the completion of
Panama Canal and whose boodthirsty intentions
readily OWNED by us have been Of such assistance in
insuring the upbuding of navy. Against the Eng
lish, surely, with whom business and social ties
have been constantly increasing but who nevertheless
would delight in injuring though their COM
merce be at the same moment impaired and their fac
tories closed. Against the Germans in faith Who
when the present war is concluded win seek new fields
of hav within the
past six months that trade developed by the desruc
ton of those with whom might traffic. Against pc
thirty odd nations with whom have entered into
covenants not to make wal after year of delay
for self and mutual examination. ,E.
We will arm, magnify our army and navy, enrich
munton manufacturer teach citizens the benefits
and glories of a strenuous life. We win lchant the
force, and the inferority of and self pOse!
We must never forget that the purpose of training
our young men in school, college and factory is that
they may become the better food for cannon. sa'
Meanwhile, as our emblem, let us abandon the eagle
with her eye to the sum- and adopt the carrOn buzzard
with his downward gaze IL seeking his sustenance
from the aftermath Of the conflict. ir' sgaas' ,'
More sublimated nonsense than this could no
be written, nor could greater misconception o
the reasons underlying the demand for an ade
quate Army and Navy be penned. Yet, this tom
myrot is awarded the first place among thousands
and by critics who are willing to admit that the
know better how the United States should be ru
than anyone else, ~ 49,: .-'-
The idea that defensive force can be possible, tn
contention that prevention is better than cure tn
possibility of lack of aggression in combination
with strong army and prepared navy, are al
secuted. If the Eagle becomes strong enough t
defend the aerie against predatory foe, it mus
perforce become Carrion-Vulture, according t
the unthinking ones. p. $500
The trouble with these anti-armament folks j
that they have misread history and, in the hgh
of recent events are still content to place thei
faith in scraps of paper" May they never hav
bitter cause to regret their misplaced confidence