New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-08
Pork and Preparedness.

Ger discussion III ~ doilillB lyiis tti~ 4" pr
paredness on its own account for the bene-
fit Of the country. The other IS prepared
ness interlarded with pork-preparedness
designed to give the country the short end
of any benefit accruing and the long end
to local and individual interests.
The Senate deserves great credit for
standing firm last Thursday against the
camor and threats of those who want to
make army reorganization legislation
contribute in the largest possible measure
10 the prestige and advancement OF the
national guard, whatever else 1t may
happen to accomplish. President Wilson
meekly yielded to the influences which the
Senate has dcfied. After indorsirg Secre-
tary Garrison's continental army scheme
AS completely and explicitly as it could have
been Endorsed, he left the Secretary in the
lurch and took up with Mr.. Hay, the chief
opponent in Congress Of a continental
army.
Mr.. Hay is a consistent advocate OF
sham preparedness. He has had the back
ing in the House Of Representatives of the
Bryan anti-preparedness group. lie was
shrewd enough TO see that he could con-
troll the situation in the House if he could
combine with the pacifist element another
considerable element favoring prepared
ness, but insistent that it should produce
political dividends by promoting the fort
unes of the national guard.
The Hay army reorganization bill, which
the House passed, discarded the CONT
mental army plan because, according to Mr.
Hay's view. the creation of militia force
absolutely under Federal control might lead
10 a system Of national CONSUMPTION as a
means Of maintaining such force. To get
rid Of that threat the House bill proposed
q sham LIBERALIZATION Of the existing state
militia, incidentally increasing the num-
bers, pay and military consequence of the
state forces. The aid of these forces was
sought to keep the regular army under.
sized and to prevent the creation of an
additional second line Of partially trained
troops.
President Wilson fell in with this scheme
&C sacrificing real preparedness to the n
terests of one element-and that the least
valuable element-in the reorganized army.
lie allowed Mr.. Hay TO say OF the floor OF
the House Of Representatives: "Ihe House
bill is his 1.-THE Presdent'sl bill" But the
Senate has had the strength Of mind to re-
buke this bold attempt to make the army
reorganization bill a mere pork barrel
product.
Bva narrow vote il has retained in the
Chamberlain bill the section authorizing
the creation Of a Federal volunteer force,
similar to Mr.. Garrisons continentals. 1t
has Endorsed the saner policy of developing
our military resources along newer and
broader lines-increasing the first line
army Though not sufficiently, improving
the state guards and at the same time ere
ating a strictly Federal second line. Had
it stricken out the Federal volunteer sec
ton. in accordance with the present ideas
of the President and Mr.. Hay, the country
would have had to abandon all hope OF
seeing the present army reorganization
movement end in anything but shabby
comedy of pork and politics.
The Tribune believes in utilizing to the
full the existing state militia organizations.
They may well have an important place IN
our military system if they can eventually
be brought for all practical purposes I'M
der Federal control. But it is evident that
they cannot constitute a sufficient second
line. The country needs other bodies Of
second line troops, and it Is arrogant and
foolish for the national guard associa-
tons to assume that legislation creating
other bodies is directed against them and
ought to be fought by them in their own
interest. Colone. II. S. Sternberger, a
national guard officer Of this state, made a
serious blunder when he wrote 20 Senator
O'Gorman that Section 50 Of IN; Chamber
lain bin "is detrimental 10 all the national
guard"
Colonel Stemberger's point Of view IS all
wrong. TIC thing 10 be considered IS
whether il q, on the whole, % the country's
interest 70 create another second lire.
Jealouses and selfish apprchensions on the
part Of the existing second line should have
little weight, If it IL clear-and we IN *
rat it is--that an additional second me
body is needed.
The smaller interest mus. give way t.
the larger. Too nony state guard officers
cannot sec this. They are pressing for
personal advantage, which 10 not bar
monte with the god Of thc 'nilitary ser.
vice. Last Monda5 the Senate oloptcJ an
amendment % the Cho' btrlain bin direct
ing the President 10 appoint five national
= guard officers members Of the Army Gen.
eral Staff. This @. e.cio attemrt "a
ocatc state patroi8ee 40 the cxpcre.
sound military administration
II might be pardonablc 70 authorize the
President 10 appoint national guard Off.
lern % u. GonoraI .lnn "A IL A,-or.lln1-