The sun., 1916-10-29

people Of the United States were at
last aroused to the fact that they were
undefended against modern means and
dimensions Of warfare. as shown by
the ferocity and magnitude Of the
great European war.
Our army was both costly and in
adequate. The Navy and the War
departments we're numbered with red
tape and n bureau organization for
which Congress was chiefly responsible.
A few officers were attempting to
arouse the country to a sense Of its
military weakness and The dangers of
head of the service. which comprised
several thousand civilians. over 5000
commissioned officers ard $1,000 en-
listed men. The vice vas always
technical. and the demands upon the
organization were doubled by the sud
cen development Of the military art.
The retirement Of Secretary Garr!-
son save the opportunity 70 the Pres.
ident to place at the mead of the Wa
Department either an expert In war
or an expert IN handling great num-
bers OF men, The time was ripe for
I designating a military man; other ,
countries take military and naval Of
positions OF Ministers Of War and
Marine.
The first Secretary OF War OF the
United States. Knox. was a soldier.
Gen. Grant was Secretary OF War. ad
interim for five months In 1867. Gen.
Rawlins was Secretary Of War for a
time under Grant. OR. II the country
could not bear the shock OF seeing a
soldier in charge OF the soldering de-
partment. was there no former officer
to be found? Had no man in House
or Senate made the army his study for
years? Was no juhist or pubicist ex-
pert in that field?
Apparently no such man could be
discovered In the ranks Of the Demo-
cratic party. Then why not select a
man Of vast experience in directing
men and affairs. such a man as James
J. Hill. a man who could break through
tho mouidy traditions Of the War
Once and whose skill, integrity and
national reputation would carry the
country with him?
Apparently no such, man as that
was wanted; for In this period OF ma
tional tension M potential national
danger the President selected Newton
d. Baker of Cleveland. Mr.. Bakers
abilities are ~undoubted; by some ac-
counts no was a creditable Mayor OF
an immense and difficult city.
Nevertheless he was not appointed
because of any administrative quail
ties but because of his supposed abil-
ity to carry the State of Ohio for the
Democratic ticket: which is perhaps
the reason why the Old Guard OF the
Republicans in Ohio is now reported
TO be shivering in its shoes. As A.
slsLant Secretary OF Wa the President
selected an ex-hayor OF Portland. Me-.
whose expert knowledge OF the MILL
tary art was thus established for tho
first time.
Secretary Baker is the Presidents
Secretary Of War: he Is not expected
to put in his time In trying to reor-
ganize his department and the army 50
as to make them adequate for the
pressing necessities OF his country.
Just now he Is making campaign
speeches. The practice IL In itself
unobjectlonable; q nan who believes
In his political chieftain ought to DO
willing to speak for him. The only
trouble IL that Secretary Baker has
spoken oncc too often.
In q recent address at Jersey City
! he IL reported to have paid his re-
= spects to the Revolutionary soldiers.
II Is of no use to quote tho Secretary
of War, because he say that the pub
!. lished reports are Inaccurate: but he
, does not supply . text Of his remarks
which could be paralleled with the
: notes Of the st~enographers on that
occasion, Nor does he deny that he
!, did make Q comparison between the