Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-03-10
The Situation at washington-An In
teresting Letter From Hon. N. E
Matthews Representative From
The Fifth Ohio District-Prepared.
ness Military and Industrial -
The United States and Information.
al Law.

Washington. d. c., Feb. 2s, 1916.
Editor, The Tribune
Wauseon, Ohio.
My Dear Sir:--
Recent developments in Congress
indicate that the Democratic majority
are up In the air; are divided in pur-
pose and not in accord with the Presi-
dent on several propositions, especial
ly so as to our diplomatic relations
with other countries, and on Pre-
paredness, together with raising
views on the manner of raising
revenue. One prominent Democrat
IN an interview recently stated that at
east ninety Democrats in he Lower
House opposed to the Presidents
manner and method Of doing things
and his plans generally.
With the majority so hopelessly
divided, there is little chance Of
speedy action by. the Congress in the
way of legislation looking toward i'm
provement in our defenses, or as it
Is called, better Preparedness. Mr..
Bryan's influence is undoubtedly be-
ing exerted to the limit in the pres
ent Congress, and it spells failure for
the Presidents preparedness plan un-
less the Republicans go to his rescue,
and they are going to be patriotic
enough to aid him so far as may be
necessary to give us a safe and sane
increase in the Army and Navy, to-
gether with the necessary improve
ment In our coast defense. The Chief
Of the Coast Artillery says in his
annual report: "We possess the most
formidable system of coast defense in
the world" All we need is men to
more ammunition, more mines for our
harbors and more coast submarines
as well as feet submarines. Our
Navy is excellent so far as it goes.
II Is fourth rate now. 1t should be
doubled in many, of its branches to
give us even fair first line of de-
Tense in event of attack from either
the Atlantic or, Pacific side. We are
a rich prize for any strong, piratical
nation, and the past two years should
teach us a lesson. Japan is prepar-
ing and needs watching.
Nobody seems to favor a large
standing army. A moderate increase
IN our present regular army will go
through Congress. Everybody recog-
nizes the fact that steps should be
taken looking toward military train
ing and the creating Of a reserve
force of some kind, possibly through
the State Militia. Forced military
service OF training is not popular. II
must be free and voluntary. The
European method Of creating and
maintaining armies can not be in
troduced OF tolerated here.
The Republican minority are unit
ed and ready and waiting to do bust
ness whenever the Democratic ma
jority, who are in absolute control Of
all the committees, present their plans
so far at least, as the question Of bet
ter preparedness Is concerned.
The minority believe and insist
that the flag covers and should pro
tect every American citizen whether
at home or abroad, at any and al
times, whenever they may be entitled
to Il, and that the whole power Of
this government should be used Il
that end on all occasions. This doe.
not mean war; It means respect. Thel
are IOr peace, out LOT peace dC an
price. II must be peace with honor.
II we are to take our place amonI
the nations Of this world, and we arr
perforce obliged to do so or become |
dependent nation, we must at al
times be In a position to command tn
good will and respect Of all peoples
And there are many who believe tn
present international School of Cor
respondence now being carried in an
developed by the present Admins
tration Is not tending to that enc
Fine phrases do not always produc
results. Mr.. Cleveland's course wit
England in the Venezuela inciden
quickly produced results.
Industrial preparedness is one thin
the Republicans in Congress believ
to be Of equal Importance with a
increase in the Army and Navy. W
must have such protection as will in
sure the stability Of all our indus
tries, manufacturing and agricu
tural, against any possible conditio
that may arise after the tragic cor