New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-19

"Th. conclusion OF the War College
Division, which is coneurred in by the
remainder Of the War Department Cen
oral staff" said General Scott, us that
our system should be able now to FUR
njsh In round number 100000 trained
and organized troops at the outbreak
of war and 100000 additional in nine
tv days thereafter. This is due to the
fact that one Of the powers invoived
in the war and whose territory extenus
tho whole length of our northern from
tier has increased its army from rel
atively small force to strength ap-
proximating that OF the other great
European powers.
"The navy Of this power absolutely
controls the sea, and its merchant ma
rine is sufficient IN extent TO transport
without delay over 100000 soldiers,
with the necessary equipment for such
an army. Due 20 the face that our
northern neighbor is largely an island
empire. great portion OF any trained
force il may possess can be spared for
use i'm a distant theatre of operations,
because. being an island empire. the
control of the sea gives II practical i'm
munity from invasion where troops
would have 20 be transported across
the sea.
Sees Menace from Orient
at should be pointed out, also. that
our northern neighbor is in alliance
with a powerful Oriental nation-an-
other island empire-and for the same
reason. when acting in alliance with
power which has control of the sea. has
ability TO send its army Of 2,250.00O
TO any rart of the world without dan
ger of invasion.
ain determining, however, the num-
Der we need there are some other factors
which must be given brief considera-
ton. A factor which has in the past
played n part in protecting us from
recent aggression by any Of the great
nations Of Europe. in spite Of our COM
paratively defenceless condition. is the
rough equilibrium of forces maintained
on the continent Of Europe-the So
called balance of power.
an Europe, just prior to August !,
1914, so close was this equilibrium
that no part Of the enormous force con
trolled by each of the two groups Of
great powers in alliance was available
for action outside of Europe.
when the European war is over
there will still be two groups of powers,
two groups Of forces acting upon each
other. Il is possible that Of the two
groups the combined forces of one will
-. 4. 49,. fcw Of
the other. This will permit the SUI
perior group to hold the inferior group
in balance, with only a portion of its
force and will enable it TO hold the re-
mainder ready for action outside OF
Europe.
1T is manifest from the facts so far
discussed that if a coalition of the
great powers az they existed on August
], 1914. were TO make war on us we
could be invaded by very large forces
within about one month from the
declaration of war. II is also obvious
that to meet such an attack we would
need large armies whose training had
been completed before the declaration
Of war, and it is further evident that
the only way we can adequately pre-
pare 70 win war Of this character
that is. one waged against US by an
alliance of great powers while we night
as single nation-is to train inten-
sively for two years with the colors in
time of peace. as do all the other great
powers, practically ell our young men
of suitable military physique.
"The volunteer system cannot now
under the most favorable circumstances
produce anything like the number Of
men required for the national defence.
IL is undemocratic, unreliable. inef-
ficient and extravagant. 1t is undemo-
cratic because it shifts the burden of
national defence from the shoulders Of
the many, where 1t rightfully belongs,
TO the shoulders OF the few whose
financial condition in life or whose
patriotism impels them 10 offer them
selves to accept the risks and bard
ships Of war.
"Furthermore, instead of unifying
our people TO the extent where all in
dividuals are willing TO undergo sacri-
fee for the national good it affords
great opportunity for the selfish and
non-patriotic to stay at home in time Of
war and to fatten on the adversely of
the nation and on the necessities Of the