Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-18
An EpOchaI Measure
Of National Defense.

The final passage of the Navy bill, which will
make the United States second in sea power to
England only is the most far-reaching stroke for
national preparedness and defense in the history
of American legislation. The main significance of
this measure does not lie in the vast sum it appro-
PIRATES, amounting to three hundred and fifteen
million, eight hundred thousand dollars, nor in the
brave array of new vessels numbering one hundred
and ifty-seven for which it provides. It's main
significance lies in the fact that it bespeaks a
quickened consciousness of the nations needs and
a thoughtful, determined purpose to supply them
Six months ago the United States was not only
unprepared for threatened emergencies but was
also befogged to how and when it should take
up the task of preparation. Extremists were clam
oring on the hand, for rank miltarism ano
on the other hand for silly pacihcation. Congress
was divided well-nlgh hopelessly, it seemed-one
faction demanding eXorbitant increases in the army
and fleet, and the other mulishly opposing any in
crease at ALL Into this befuddled state of affairs
came the Presidents masterful influence He APP
pealed to the country in behalf of adequate pro-
gram of defense and the country's response left
doubt concerning it's opinion and wish. He ap-
pealed to Congress, on non-partisan grounds, and
gradually both groups of extremists saw the light
1t required peculiar degree of patience and in
sight and tactful persistence to work the problem
through but all these Mr.. Wilson brought to bear,
and the result is that America is now ready to be-
gin actual work plans of defense which are equal
to her needs and worthy of her character.
The value of the Administrators achievement
cannot be overgauged. The shortcomings and
perils which the army and navy bills will remove
menace to the country's basic interests.
With population of more than one hundred and
and area nearly great as that
of limit Stato had
smaller than Portugal's. With unequaled ex-
tent of coast line and unequaled number of ex-
posed harbors, the United States had a navy which
ranked only third or fourth among frst-class Pow
ers. 1t unprepared to defend its outlying pos
sessions in the Atlantic and Pacific fulfill its
responsibilities under the Monroe doctrine
to safeguard it's shores against invasion.
These conditions had existed for years past.
Republican administrations successfully failed to
provide adequate relief to take serious
thought of what ought to be done Circumstances,
it is true did not become crucial until the Euro
pean situation developed them. But the important
fact is that when they did become crucial, the Will
son Administration proved equal to the occasion.
Mr. Hughes has strven vainly to make a campaign
issue of preparedness. Democratic craftsmanship
has done incomparably more for the of a
tional defense in six short months than the Re-
publican party ever proposed doing through all its
decades of government control.
Mr.. Hughes prattles glibly of the value of
deeds rather than words" What deed of the Taft
administration or the Roosevelt administration or
any Republican administration within the last forty
years can compare in scope or value with the a
tional defense measures which the Wilson admins
tration has produced? Under the three-year build
ing program which the Navy bill provides, the
United States will acquire feet that will be strong
enough to protect American interests and uphold
American principles, strong enough to impress any
hostile or envious Power that might be disposed to
invade American rights, strong enough to make
American ideals of justice and peace felt and
respected the world around.
The man who gave his wife 80 cents month
probably audited her accounts to boot.