Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-14
Better Hope for Real Defense

THIS nation may well hope that good will
1 come of the resignation OF Secretary OF
War Garrison. There had been, un for innate
~, too much evidence that the executive and
Legislative branches Of the government were
in danger of reaching an impasse on the
question of national defense. With the
President and his War Secretary adhering
lentlessly to their particular solution of the
problem and Congress just as determinedly
in opposition, there was far too much lkcli-
hood either that nothing would be done or
that what was done would be ilusory and
inadequate.
Frankly, we have never been able to regard
the continental army plan the perfection
OF human wisdom. Because the President
and Secretary Garrison favored it and mill
tary experts had given it a qualified approval
and because also. if successful, it would an
swer the country's military needs, we had
hoped that Congress would adopt II. But
the doubt that did not spare lis did not spare
Congress either. Whatever their defcien-
cies Congressman at least may be assumed
10 know i'll what proportion young men OF
their districts would be likely to respond to
such call to arms. They did not believe
the response would be in sufficient volume
In this situation, facing a condition rather
than theory and fully aware that Congress
could not be coerced on such a matter to ac-
ton in opposition to its conviction. President
Wilson declared for Cancellation and COM
any plan that guaranteed first line of de-
Tense for the service of the country and
placed that first line under the undisputed
command OF the national government. That
really is all anybody save the extreme mill
tarists and ranting jingocs ought to desire
But II did not please Mr.. Garrison. He
has said Of himself that he never could obey
orders in matters of opinion" Orders of
any kind always irritate him: he has declared
and that told to do one thing, his instant de-
termination is to do the other. Obviously
the sole comfortable place for a man of his
type is in position of unchaenged au-
thOrity. Only the Presidents talent for com
promise and for adjusting conflict made pos
sible MIR. Garrison s years in the Cabinet He
has not the sort OF mind that works in har-
mony With other minds or that obtains con-
cessions and gains results from q coordinate
branch OF the government.
SO that. on the whole, it may be jus: as
we'll that Mr.. Garrison has gone. Already the
effects OF his departure are seen in closer CO.
operation among the members of the House
Committee on Military Affairs and more reso-
lutte determination TO respond to the Presi-
dents plea and meet the cCuntry's need. The
committee and Congress feel they now are
called on douby 10 justify the presidential
confidence In their wisdom, patriotism and
good faith.
We expect 10 see measure emerge from.
the committee that will fedcralizc the Ma
tlonal Guard TO the very limit of constitu-
tiOnal power We expect TO see larger in
creases OF the regular army than have been
spoken of as included in the committees pro-
gram-incrcases of separate military units
as we'll as Of total eniistments. We expect
generous additions to the corps OF officers for
purposes OF instruction We expect large
appropriations for equipment, including re-
serve supplies of arms and munitions We
expect, in short real program OF national
defense. That is the nations expectation
The committee must not disappont il.