Evening journal., 1916-08-10

ing that an eAigency did exist and that
something should be dOnei that 1t was
no longer nervousness, but prudence
caution aud foresight which required inn
mediate action.
"Thcre was an able Secretary of War
and he devoted himself with astuteness
TO the problem and he worked out a
plan. He thought he had pinned the
administration SO that IL would stay
put don't believe you could pin the
administration TO any policy that would
stay put Well, the matter got 50 bad
that the Executive presented il TO Con.
grcss. Only a few months ago 1t was
stated that our present demand called
for this forthwith; Raising the regular
army from its total on paper-althougl
il WIS in fact somewhat less-of about
los. 0OO. to l4l ,00o and a citizen reserve
Of 100000. trained by Federal authority
in the annual installments of $4,000
each.
Garrison Quits Cabinet.
THAT vas to he regarded as essential
Now, how long did that stay put Why
within a short time the plan was aban.
doucd, the Secretary of War resigned
and in his correspondence with the
President he practically pointed out
what he regarded as the ineXcusablt
abandonment don't use his exact
words. but this was the substance-of a
program deemed TO be necessary.
"Now. why was il abandoned! We
have had a great deal Of talk about
Executive leadership, not conspicuous
then, when American preparedness was
in Issue. Why was it necessary to 20
through the land dealing with the sub
iect when Congress had its mind open
10 know the Executives willi
Wilson's Breakdown.
"On the contrary. there was what
! regard as a backdown, a change Of
front 1. always has seemed to me
most regrettable that il was a
change OF front under a conception OF
partisan expediency We had as a re-
suit, something which Is fraught
with much mystery.
I'm the first place. under the army
reorganization bill we have a paper
army of i7S,000. but an actual army
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
ANANt Oi hNUul AAWfNNW anu hUUMA Abf~
600 more IN the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1918 We have then 10 rely
upon the national guard.
Praises Boys mt Border.
For the boys who have gone for
ward uncomplainingly to the duty to
which they have been called and have
been sworn into the regular army
overnight for a service that they he'd
not contemplated and which I do not
think the national guard should be
called upon to render. for those boys
/ have unstinted praise. But | con-
denim the system which brought mat
tiers to that pass.
Then what a spectacle was pre-
scented. They were not properly
equipped when they started; supplies
were not ready for them and some OF
them suffered In the mode in which
they were transported 20 discharge
their new duties. Why, II was a spec
tacle showing inemciency OF the nrst
magnitude.
THE rights about which there has
been so much discussion are In thu
main plain rights. generally recogniz-
ed But we live in a world In arms
II would be the rankest folly for us
10 invite Insult; for us 10 invite the
disregard Of our word by having an
obvious condition Of unpreparedness.
Preparedness Not MiIltarism.
Preparedness that is reasonable
and adequate is not militarism. There
is no militarism in this country. But
adequate and reasonable prepared
ness is an assurance OF our peace. II
is the very buttress Of our self-re-
spect II is for us 10 say what we
mean. and have our word regarded
II means that when such a situation
arises. as there Is on the border of
Mexico, that we are ready 10 dis
charge our duty without calling men
from their peaceful occupations. from
the shops and the factories and Offices
all over this land.
Hughes Defense Idea.
Reasonable adequate preparedness
is primary national duty. and II ]
am elected | propose to see as far as
in me lies that that duty is discharged
10 the credit OF the American people.
And | am not talking simply or even
primarily OF numbers. Efficiency Is
only a matter Of numbers to a GER
tain extent Thoroughness, the alb
sence Of waste. up-to-date methods,
the awaiting OF scientific investiga-
ton, the determination TO go forward
sensibly, eXpertly, with the very best
advice. cutting out dry rot insisting
upon men equal TO their Jobs
THAT lis the kind Of preparedness
| believe in which will make our ap-
preparations for military purposes
properly spent so that the public will
get the benefit Of the dollars IL gives
Takes n Fling at Lewis.
Mr. Hughes then reviewed the ad-
ministration's Mexican policy from
the days OF Huerta, and continued:
I'VE had a wonderful speech the
other day in the Senate from a
spokesman OF the administration. He
did not like what I said in my ans
wer to the notification. II distressed
him | am glad Of H. That was the
intention But there was not a word
in II that he or anybody else could
answer. He said am not attempt
ing to quote him, but am sure I am
doing him no violence-that We ought
10 have supported the Executive in
establishing villa on a throne, a gov
eminent founded on principles OF
American liberty and justice. Think
OF that
Then the learned Senator con-
demned the Republicans because they
had not rushed TO the support Of the
administration in making a liberator
out Of this depredator, villa.
Il want to refer for a moment 10
the embargo on arms. I do not know