The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-07-23

grounds in San Francisco was delivered
in the characteristic Rooseyeltian vein,
full of fire, bristling with challenges and
calling spade spade. The ex.presi-
dent took as his subject, the unprepared-
ness of the United States either for peace
or for war; and IL must be admitted
that he made out a pretty strong case
against the attitude assumed by the gov
eminent at Washington, not only OF the
present administration but of many pre-
vious administrations. 1t is perhaps I'M
fortunate that in the building up of that
case Roosevelt felt himself called upon
to ALLEVIATE a considerable amount of sup
port for that side by too vigorous in
vective, too scathing sarcasm, too much
shaking of the big stick, for the present
government in Washington needs all the
support which it can muster-moral sup
port--in carrying out the plans already
under way and which are likely to be
developed within a short time. But I'M
derneath the invective, the sarcasm and
the brandishing of the big club, there
was much of sound fact and reasonable
argument, while at the same time there
was something which all the people OF
the United States will find it difficult to
subscribe to. There are comparatively
few people in the American nation who
have not come to the conviction that
the standing army Of the United States
has been maintained at ridiculously
small figure for years and years, hardly
enough, indeed, to do the police duty
which the regular soldiery may be called
upon to perform; and, too, it is a set
tied conviction, as Roosevelt believes,
that it is absolutely imperative that a
navy of pronounced strength must be
in order to protect the shores
Of the United States from invasion, ac-
tual invasion and threat of invasion.
The program of a strong navy is being
carried through TO certain degree and
is likely to receive greater attention
within a very short time; and the de- |
nand for greater standing army is !
growing steadily throughout the entire
country. So far the people of the United :
states will be with Roosevelt in his pro. 4
at San Francisco; but when
comes to program of military APP
for every male of competent Z
hysical and mental development, TO be
ollowed by yearly service of short dura-
'tates, not being nation of the sword, II
nay be expected to diverge from Colonel a,
,oosevelt's views. Such a policy would W
c militarism gone beyond reason for a u
alton that has no frontiers to guard u
kept a frontier with a country which u
ways is likely to be friendly and a 9,
'ontier with nation OF negligible 81
trength. The United States, happily, m
not situated as the European nations " "
re, with nothing but an imaginary line II,
rawn between them and called from co
er, and, therefore, it is not necessary ed
rat every man and child should be y
srsed in military science and ready TO m
Ike up the gun at moments call. Be. co
yeen that policy of extreme miltar. no
m and a policy of a "Chinahed" ma. or,
on, there is a middle ground which de. a.
ands an adequate professional army or,
ID a powerful navy. A large majority
the people of the United States are
that middle ground policy.
advocating more than that Roosevelt DO
~ possibly be aiding materially in i'm. ou
lnting that policy firmly. ;nt
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