The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-11-05

vding OF ample equipment in case it
should be necessary to call all forces
into the field.
Moreover. il has been American
policy time out Of mind to look to the
navy rs the first and chief line Of
defense. The navy of the United
states is already a very great and
efficient force. Not rapidly, but slow
~ with careful attention, our naval
force has been developed until the
navy of the United States stands
recognized as one of the most eff
iicient and notable of the modern
time All that is needed in order to
bring il to a point of extraordinary
force and efficiency as compared with
the other navies of the world is that
we shonld hasten our pace in the pol
icy we have long beell pursuing, and
that chief or all we should have a
definite policy Of development, not
made from year to year, but looking
well into the future and planning for
definite consdmmation. We can
and should profit in all that We do
by the experience and examples that
have been made obvious to us by the
military and naval events OF the ac-
tual present. 1t is not merely mat
ter of building submarines and cruisers
and submarines, but also a matter of
making sure that We shall have the
adequate equipment of men and mu-
nitions and supplies for the vessels
we build and intend to build Part
of our problem is the problem of what
may call the mobilization of the
resources of the nation at the proper
time If 1t should ever be necessary
to mobilize them for national defense
We shall study efficiency and ade-
quate equipment as carefully as we
shall study the number and size OF
our ships, and believe that the plans
already in part made public by the
navy department are plans which the
whole nation can approve with ra-
tional enthusiasm.
No thoughtful man feels any panic
haste in this matter The country is
not threatened from any quarter.
She stands in friendly relations with
all the world Her resources are
known and her self respect and her
capacity to care for her own citizens
aud her own rights. There is no fear
amongst us. Under the new world
conditions we have become thought
ful Of the things which all reasonable
men consider necessary for security
and self-defense on the part of every
nation confronted with the great en-
terprise of human liberty and indie
pendence That is all.
Is the plan we propose sane and
reasonable and suited to the needs
OF the hour9 Does it not conform TO
the ancient traditions OF America?
Has any better plan been proposed
than this programme that We now
place before the country? In it there
is no pride of opinion. i represents
the best professional and expert judg
ment Of the country. But | am not
so much interested in programmes
as am in safeguarding at every cost
the good faith and honor VI the coun
try. II men differ with me in this
vital matter. shall ask them to make
it clear now far and in What way
they are interested in making the
permanent interests Of the country
safe against disturbance
In the fuifllmeut Of the programme
| propose | shall ask for the hearty
support Of the country. Of the rank
ana file OF America. OF men ot all
shades Of political opinion. For my
position in this important matter =
different from that Of the private
individual who is free to speak his
own thoughts and to risk his own
opinions in this matter. We are here
dealing with things that are vital TO
the life Of America itself. In doing
this have tried 10 purge my heart
Of all personal and selfish motives.
For the time being. l speak as the
trustee and guardian OF a nations
rights. charged with the duty OF
speaking for that nation IN matters
involving her sovereignty.-a nation
too big and generous TO be exacting
and yet courageous enough to defend
its rights and the liberties Of its
people wherever assailed or invaded.
would not feel that | was dischsrg-
ing the solemn obligation | owe the
country were not to speak in terms