New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-30
SURPRISING
Things Which Might Happen to U'
Because of Unpreparedness.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Suppose matters so turned that IL,
United States was about to declare war upon
Mexico. And suppose that because Lat,
South America was apprehensive our county
might keep Mexican territory in return ior
our sacrifice its republics combined in a d,.
mand that We should forego the intention to
make war.
II is easy to see that our neighbour, msT
cherish a sort Of Monroe Doctrine Of their
own against US.
Suppose. further. that tho condition va
such our people believed, IN spite Of Sog,i
American opposition, the car should begir
Nanifestly the United States would fee.
bound TO carry its point by force.
! mention this merely as illustration O
how readily some country in Europe migs.
find itself in similar plight regarding a.
apparently vital issue with Brazil or Argt,.
tina. for example, or with Venezuela as in
deed has happened notably In the past. We
may imagine how the United states, follos.
ing traditional policy, wosd protest 10 that
European power. and we may be convinced
that, though with the friendlest feeling
toward our country, still that European "a
ton would prosecute its war and exact It's
penalty unless the United States produced
the military and naval power 70 prevent IL
Without considering at all the possibility
of armed dispute with any OF the Europss'
powers over trouble arising directly between
them and US; without thinking a. all OF She
menacing probabilities OF hostile occasions %
come between ourselves and Oriental ans'
tons in the Pacific; figuring only upon our
protection Of the Monroe Doctrine, no ser
sible American will deny that an emergency
is liable in any year, sudden. unwsrned, per
hitting no delay. IN which our certain event
must be to war or 20 surrender.
Against that sort OF contingency likely
as it is-the preparedness programme OF eu''
rent American legislation and public ssnh'
ment is pitifully inadequate.
Against other and greater contngenc.'-
just as liable-the present preparation arc
plans, and the thoughts about them, are
calamitously improvident.
The sentiment for preparedness IN t'
United States is merely a sentiment Is'
emotion is well represented by the quiHo'.e
attempt of a child TO furnish q battleshp'
The legislation IL produces is as apiiy sho"'
by the Administrators proposed military fe.
form. which, if carried out and brought y, y
full pitch of expectation, would be ns'y
ample TO cope with war between me Ihi'''
States and feeble dlstraught Mexico.
Roosevelt says the country needs hefo"'
Lmphatically it needs common sense.
The people Of the United states should y.
alize that the nations Of the earth are not =!
any means engaged in "A conspiracy 10 mAA,
trem rich and happy. Il is as true to-day .,
il always has been that national adyan'ss'
must sooner or later be forciby DEFENDED a"
lost.
Major General Leonard Wood was see1'a"
in his declaration % the Chamber OF O'~
merce that manhood suffrage means no.
hood obligation for service, either IN the ~ ~.
the hospital corps. the aviation corps :"
transport service or the munitions iae'0'.
Unit. this manhood suffrage becomes -
cstabiis he'd reality IN the United states ~
preparation has organized 10 and Prov,
for It's instant Use IN time Of need, OUT ~.
pie prefer 70 go without insurance 81 M
hcarths and homes, Of their Liberties Nv
sheer. stupid, mean, ungrateful and treSs.-
able uuwi...ngness g pay the reaSonAO'
mium-in just proportion OF money
worA. .,,,rp
FREDERICK PALMER LAIlNhh'
New London, Conn, March -5' 1910