New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-24
mitchell SCOLDS
HELPLESS U. 5.
INCALL TO ARMS
Advocates Compulsory
Military Training, in
Speech to Gdardsmen.
NIGGARDLY NAVY
PLANS CENSURED
Blames Succeeding Administra-
lions" for Defence Neglect
SAYS Nations Easy Prey.

Declaring that the country is to-day
"prostrate and helpless in its utter IN
preparedness to enforce its just de-
mands. 10 defend its citizens or TO
guard It's territory" Mayor John Pur-
ROY Mitchell yesterday arrayed himself
souarelv on the side Of those who are
demanding that these conditions be
romedicd.
Although he always has been strong
supporter Of the Wilson administra-
ton. his utterances on national de-
fence are Numerically opposed to
what is believed to be the sentiment IN
Washington as 20 the extent to which
this country should 90.
The MAYORS stand comes after
thorough study of the subject. lie used
visit 20 the national guard camp at
Fishkll Plains, yesterday afternoon as
the occasion for giving publicity 10 ms
strong convictions. lhey were pre-
sentcd in the course of vigorous
speech 10 the Guardsmen at the emo Oh
the review in the evening.
Although he did not use the term, MS
language indicated that he hated
"rnollvcoddle" no less fercely than does
Colonel Roosevelt He went so far as
10 advocate compulsory military tram
ing uo
paredness of the country, the Mayor
asked himself the question as TO WhaI
should be our policy under the clrcum-
stances. lie answered II thus: ,
1T seems 10 me 1t should begin with
frank statement to the people OF our
present defenceless state, coupled WIN
an admission Of the militia's past DHhu-
ness TO its own necessities.
with that, il seems TO me, should De
promulgated a substantial, comprehen-
fi,o Nan for national defence-no
makesbift, no half measure, no sop TO
nublic sentiment plan that should
comprise the immediate organization OF
tho resources Of the country for the
production of necessary munitions, and
AZ points not exposed to the hrSt at
tack of an invading force, the EQUIP,
ment of our existing forces with iuI
supplv Of modern arms, up TO date
eouiDment and munitions, and the eS.
adjustment of a general system OF
compulsory male citizen military tram
ing. similar to that Of switzerland or
Australia, to the end that there may De
built up an tHcCbt'S anu ~
citizen reserve.
Wants Powerful Navy.
with that should go the construc-
ton Of a powerful modern navy, not on
the niggardly plan Of backwoods states
manship that proposes two battleshlps
q wear. but on q scale to make our navy
tbo weapon Of defence against a first
class power that ii should be, but IS hoI'
to-day"
To those who might cry that this was
militarism, the Mayor replied:
"No. a thousand times no. The idea
Of militarism is Just as abhorrent TO me
as il is to the loudest apostle OF peace
at any price. II means merely training
the citizenry in the use of arms and
taking these common sense precautions
and necessary minimum precautions
which a free people must take if they
would remain free and independent
The Mayor added:
"The burden Of these precautions
which. | believe, our people viii be
driven to sooner or later If they DO not
adopt them voluntarily now, is no more
than a free people. as part Of their
eternal vigilance, should be willing to
bear. as the price of continued freedom.
The economic waste Of time and energy
is not comparable to the disaster Of a
war. and particularly OF a losing war.
However. military training, such as
that in Switzerland or Australia, IS not
waste. II gives valuable discipline, in
creased efficiency. healthful physical de-
yelopment and a mental training that is
not without its beneficial moral results.
There is an economic waste IN un-
preparedness, ample evidence of which
is found in our own history.
To the question Of those who want to
know against whom we must defend
ourselves the Mayor replied that the
same question was asked by men of the
same school i'm England and thirteen
months ago might with better reasons
have been asked by Belgium.
ALREADY in the course of the present
struggle" he continued. "a dozen points
Of friction have arisen, any one OF
which might conceiyably embroh us
with a beIlIcerent on either side. any
one Of VIII en- would serve as the basis
for a quarrel after this war has closed.
Would our devotion to the principle OF
peace, our willingness TO arbltrate arbl-
trable questions, or the justice on
which we pride ourselves, serve TO ward
off war if the nation In controversy
with us should fatty decline 10 yield
ANYTHING of its position? What did
devotion TO peace and justice avail Bel
Cium when the hour came? INVASION
does not wait on arbitration.
Charges National Neglect.
let US admit there has been sus-
tanned and objectionable neglect OF our
national defences in the past This neg
lect is the responsibility OF succeed