The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-06-08
ADEQUATE DEFENSE
Some National Deficiencies Brought
Out by Cateehism

Aeod OF immediate action 10 lmprov
& our national defense, said recently:
t Speaking with all solemnity, as
l. sure you that there il not day TO b
:, lost; not, understand me, because o
II any new or specially critical matter
: but because cannot tell twenty-fou
t hours at time whether there is goinl
n to be trouble or not.
t "And whether there is or not doe
I not depend upon what do or what
s say or upon what any man in the
e United States does or says. It de
pends upon what foreign government,
4 do; what the commanders Of ships al
! sea do; what those in charge Of sub.
7 marines do; upon the judgment of n
| score of men, big and little, hang the
vital issues of peace or war for the
United States"
J What do we need to make our de-
fenses adequate?
President Wilson says:
"a navy impregnable to the navies
Of the world is the first need of this
country"
"If the flame from a world on fire
creeps in on us it may creep from both
coasts. And here we are without
enough ships to patrol them"
Speaking Of the utter inadequacy of
the United States Army, President
Wilson says
81 haven't had enough men to pre-
vent Mexican bandits from raiding
across the border of the United
States. 1t has been very mortify
ing situation, indeed
What would national safety cost?
The visible wealth of the United
States is estimated at 1873 billion dol
lars. The highest yearly expense for
preparedness that has been suggested
is only one-half on one per cent.--an
outlay so small that you could never
feel it.
Have past military expenditures
proved bad investment?
No. They protected the country
while the national wealth increased
from S7136,0O0,O0O in 1850 to $751;
739,000,000 in 1915.
How does our fleet rank?
A few years ago our 5000 miles of
coast line were defended by the second
largest navy. In 1916 President Will
son and authorities admit that it is
fourth--and going down.
How does our Army rank?
Last. Ten foreign powers have
well-trained and well-equipped armies
of from 100000 to 100000 men
each. The nations now at war had at
the outbreak of the war armies of the
strength: Germany, $780, ,
DOO Russia; 100000; France, $780,
BOO; Italy, 3,3s0,000; Great Britain ,
and colonies about 100000; Turkey,
,92S,OOO. Even the smaller countries,
most of which are not as large as any
me of our small states, had armies :
many times larger than the United !
States Army. Belgium had an army 4
If 100000; Bulgaria one Of 100000 ]
md Serbia one of 100000 Thus Bel !,
rum, with 100000 well-equipped sol
liers, have been practically wiped out.
Why can't we have a Navy and :,
Army big enough to afford us protec- :
ion?
Because, perhaps, your own Con-
.ressmen and Senators won't let you y
ave them. There is no other reason. =
'hese vital questions will come up be- !
ore Congress shortly. Watch your \
actions. q
Is our Navy "ship for ship as good N
S any," i
Our newest ships and those now ),
uilding carry fourteen-inch guns.
ireat Britain's new ships carry flf-
sen-inch guns--more power, longer -
their ships are much fast \.
r. r.
How about our battle cruisers?
Admiral Dewey says we need 1000 4,
lore officers and men at once, and !;
rat many more must be made ready
man the new ships TO be built. 1T
lkes four years TO make a naval sea
an and seven years to make an Off 30
,r. NJ
Have we scouts? -,
No. Our only scout cruisers are 20
ltiquated. They could not find and a =
port the enemy Admiral Dewey NJ,
ks that six be started at once. do
.her high officers want twelve. ~,
How does our feet rank
A few years ago our country and (,
r other possessions were defended be.
the second largest Navy. In 1916 tbe
is fourth, and still falling behind. ho,
Ius there are three nations that we
~ neither command nor disobey.
How big is our Army? al
About 10000 men. Only $500 mo- m,
e troops are in this country. The ~
f,. -. =. 't~