Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-01

sent. The president addressed con.
gress but little over six months ago
presenting the plans of the war de.
partment, and congress was formally
urged to sanction these plans as 'es-
sential first steps, They contemplated
an increase Of the standing force Of the
regular army from its then strength o.
o,023 officers, and 102,9S5 enlisted mer
to strength of 1916 officers and 1884,
707 enlisted men. or 141,S43 all told. II
was said that these additions were
necessary to render the army ade-
quate for its present duties
Further It was proposed that the
army should be supplemented by a
force Of 100000 disciplined citizens
raised in increments of $4,000 year.
thru period of three years. At least
| SO much by way Of preparation for de-
tense seemed to the president to be
absolutely imperative now He said
We can not do less But within two
| months this program was abandoned
and the able secretary of war, who had
devoted himself persistently to this i'm
portant question felt so keenly the
change in policy that he resigned from
the cabinet. Now, the army organiza-
| ton bill provides for an army on paper
OF $4,000. but in fact 1t provides for
only 100000 enlisted men for the line
Of the regular army for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1917, and 1 am in
| formed that for the next fiscal year
there will be an increase of only 15,-
GOO The plan for the supplemental
| federal army completely under federal
control was given up.
Blaming the System"
I'VE are told that the defects re-
Vealed by the present mobilization are
| due to the system But it was pre-
| cisely such plain defects that under
the constant warning of recent years.
with the whole world intent on mill
tary concerns should have been
studied and rectiied. The administra
ton has failed to discharge it's re-
sponsibilities. Apparently, it is now
seeking to meet political .exgencies by
its naval program. But it has i'm
posed upon the country an incompetent
naval administration. ~..4.,
we demand adequate national de-
Tense; adequate protection on both
our western and eastern coasts. We
demand thoroughness and efficiency in
both arms of the service. 1t seems to
be plain that our regular army is too
small. We are too great country
to require of our citizens who are en-
gagged in peaceful vocations the sort
of military service to which they are
now called. AS well insis; that our
| citizens in this metropolis be sum-
moned to put out fires and police the
streets. We do not count it incon-
sistent with our liberties, or with our
democratic ideals, to have an adequate
police force. With a population of
nearly 100.000Q00 we need, TO be surer
Of ourselves than to become alarmed
at the prospect of having regular
army which can reasonably protect our
border. and perform such other mill
tary service as may be required, In
the absence Of grave emergency
believe, further, that there should be
not only reasonable increase in the
regular army, but that the first citizen
| reserve subject to call should be en-
listed as a federal army and trained
Under, federal authority. 1er,r
| Would Mobilize Industries.
The country demands that our mill
tary and naval programs shall be car
ried out in a business-like manner un-
der the most competent administra
tive heads; that weashall have an up
to-date preparation;..th that the moneys
appropriated shall, be properly ex-
pended. We should also have careful
plans for mobilizing our industrial re-
sources; for promoting research and
utilizing the Investigations of science.
And policy of adequate preparedness
must constantly have in view the ne
cessity Of conserving our fundamental
human interests; Of promoting the
| physical well-being of our population,
as well as seduca ton and training; of
| developing to- the utmost our economic
strength and independence. It must
be based upon a profound sense Of our
unity and democratic obligation. It
must not mean the abandonment Of
other essential governmental work, but
that we shall have, in both, efficiency,
| and, in neither, waste or extravaganza.
We should also be soicitous, by wise
provision and conference, to remove
SO iar as possible the causes OF iIT::ta-
ton which may in any degree threaten
friendly relations. In our proposals
there is, I repeat, no militarisn. There
is simple insistence upon common
sense in providing reasonable measures
neglect We must have the strength Of
self-respect; a strength which contains
no threat, but assures our defense,
safeguards our rights and conserves
our peace
The Organization Of Peace.
I'VE are deeply interested in what
I may term the organization Of peace.
We cherish no illusions. We know
that the recurrence Of war Is not
to be prevented by pious wishes. If
the conflict Of national interests is
not to be brought to the final test
of force there must be the develop
ment Of International organization in
| order to provide international justice
| and to safegurd so far as practicable
the peace Of the world
Arbitration treaties are useful
| within their proper sphere, but 1t is
worse than folly to ignore the limi-
tations Of this remedy or to regard
such treaties as an adequate means
of preventing war. There should be
an international tribunal to decide
controversies susceptible of judicial
determination, thus affording the ad-
| vantage Of judicial standards in the
settlement of particular disputes and
Of the gradual growth of body Of
judicial precedents. In emphasizing
| the desirability of such tribunal for
the disposition Of controversies Of a
judicial sort, 1t must not be overlooked
that there are also legislative needs.
We need conferences OF the nations
| to formulate international rules, to
.I r1 ltv>1& - I'D