Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-11

They win argue that the exhaustion OF
resources and the recollection OF the
awful suffering win have the effect OF
deterring nations from entering upon
war. What basis IL there for such belief!
Certainly such basis cannot be found in
history-our own or that OF other ma
tons.
Arbitration Not Effective.
There will be those who believe ana
assert that the time when war can he
avoided by negotiation or arbitration or
other like means. will be advanced, II we
refrain from adopting a proper military
policy. but Will be set back II we DO
30. It is difficult TO comprehend on
what basis such belief can reasonably
rest. and therefore Il IL difficult 10 rea-
son about IL. IL seems to rest upon the
idea that n we are feeble and weak IN
action. we will be strong and persuasive
in counsel; that by avowedIy neRieot,ns
TO prepare 10 protect our rights we will
be the better able 20 secure their nro,ec-
ton by appeal, by arbitration, or nv ar
euinent No one need have the slightest
Tear that our voice for peaceful settle
heht OF tho quarreis OF nations will re-
ceive any the less attention because we
'tand Tor the right and are prepared
70 maintain Il at any proper cost. On
me contrary the voice OF such one Is
Always listened TO and usually controls.
Half Million Men Needed.
II the determination arrived nj by
those whose knowledge. skill and expert
ence makes their Judgment practically
conclusive Is accepted. we should have
In this country force OF at least 800. 900
men ready for instant response to n call
In the event OF war or the immlnence Of
war IL r. surely not necessary 10 state
the many reasons why this force NAV
not be supplied by a regular standing
army OF that number constantly under
arms. There IL no legal way that the
National Guard can. In time Of peace ne
governed. differed or trained by the ma
tional government; and there IL not legal
way except by volunteering, that Il can
De made available TO the nation in time
OF war to any greater extent than spect-
fled In the constitution. which confessedIy
falls short Of the necessary uses 20 which
an army may have 20 be put In the event
OF a war with a foreign nation.
WouId Provide Large Reserve.
IT becomes necessary, therefore, 10 de-
wise some method OF making available
for the use Of the nation in time OF war
national force In supplement Of that
part OF the national force, to wit, the reg
ular army, which Is constantly under
arms; part OF the army. In other words.
to be raised and maintained by congress
and governed in all respects In ac-
cordance with its directions. When this
system Ia devised and made operative. the
nation would militarily be ia this sltus-
toni IL would have. aB the constitution
provides an army raised and maintained
by Il, composed OF certain number con-
Htantly under arms and a much larger
number definitely identified In personnel.
provided with equipment and orRanlza-
tion' possessed OF some training. and
subject to instant cali. The states would
have the organized militia. developed with
Federal assistance to the highest practice
able point OF efficiency. available for the
purposes specified In the constitut,or
and SO oircumstanced that In the event
OF war with foreign nation tbev
could, by their own volition. immediately
take their place with the other military
force OF the nation"
The report takes up in detail the plan
OF military preparation already made pub