New-York tribune., 1916-02-27
Pensions or Preparedness?

There is one kind Of military expendi-
ture which Congress never haggles over.
II may refuse to spend money for the pur-
pose Of preventing war, Of reducing the
cost Of war, If it comes; Of providing an
ADEQUATE military system which will give
soldiers fair chance in the field or in the
hospital. But IT Is always ready to pay
pensions TO the victims of its mismanage-
nnent and carelessness and TO the survivors
of wars who escaped alive and uninvalided,
In spite of the handicaps which a lack OF
military efficiency imposed on them.
The reason for this attitude on the part
Of Congress is plain. There is no pork for
the average constituency in a new bat
tleship or a new regiment Of infantry. No
particular constituent is put under per
sonal obligations by vote to create more
military academies or TO give our officers
q chance 70 learn the art of war by hand
ling troops in the large masses required
bv modern warfare. But every pension
carried home can be cashed in in terms Of
personal gratitude.
Therefore while the House Of Represent
atives is backing and filling on military
reorganization, trying to stave oil the
demand for a real first line army with a
proposition to federalize our third line
national guard. it is only in harmony
with precedent that an enthusiastic effort
is being made to clear up the tag ends Of
the waiting list Of eligibles for pensions.
The House passed few weeks ago a new
Spanish War pension bill, and last week
rushed through a pension bill for the bene-
fit Of all survivors and widows Of survi-
vors of Indian wars between 1860 and
1891.
The support given these measures
shows where the Houses heart lies in the
matter of preparedness. 1t wants to pay
the debts of the past rather than the
debts of the present. There are some ex-
ceptions. of course. We take pleasure in
quoting an extract from the speech OF
one of the protestants against this policy,
Mr.. James. of Michigan, himself Spanish
War veteran and charter member OF
the Society of the Santiago and the
Spanish War Veterans. Mr.. James said :
1--WE 1.-THE Spanish War veterans] are not
of the opinion that in order TO get volun-
teers for the next war it is necessary to
pension every man who enlisted in 1898
We are more concerned that this country
pay attention to preparing for war, SO
that the volunteers Of the next war will
not suffer from malaria as we did. l, II
common with many Of my comrades, know
what it is 70 weigh $50 pounds on a.certair
date, and sixty days after to weigh "
pounds with my clothes on"
The House prefers the Retrospective pre-
paredness, which pays twenty years after
ward for the loss of the GO pounds, instea
Of preventing that loss through prope
military precaution. Will it ever abando
that senseless, looking-backward policy
Its intelligence is more on trial to-day tha
Il has ever been. It's duty is to reorganiz
and modernize our military system. Wi
it fail again? Its absorption in pork bar
rel pension legislation at this juncture
anything but reassuring to those who hol
with the courageous Mr.. Jamesi 1--WE ar
more concerned that the honor Of tn
country shall be upheld than we are wit
pensions"