The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1916-12-22
STARTLING MENACE PRESENTED
BY MAJOR GENERAL OF ARMY

About the most startling matter be-
fore the American people Is late
recommendation from Major General
Scott that We raise forthwith an
army of 100000 men.
He believes such an army Is made
necessary by the fact that Great
Britain now has an army practically
as large as the armies of the other
great European powers. These other
powers General Scott ignores. The
MT mace, as he sees il. comes from the
British empire in alliance with Japan
Whenever Americans have express
ed themselves obviously and sus-
piciously about the treaty between
England and Japan there have been
well-meaning Anglo-SaXons on both
sides of the sea ready TO lead q
chorus whose theme has been: War
between the two great Englisn-speak-
ling powers is unthinkable," General
Scott knows that good many "un-
thinkable" things have happened in
the last two years. The old founda.
tions of the world have been shaken
! loose. None of us can tell what struc-
| ture are to remain standing and what
IaTe to fall At all events. II is not
| the business of the chief OF stan to
consider political, social or sentimen'
tai reasons overmuch. He views the
military situation with the cold and
cynical eye of the old soldier who has
| lost all illusions about sacred treaties,
lasting international friendships and
permanent peace.
General Scott's demand for a train
ed military force of 100000 men has
it's origin in the theory that the Unit
ed States could be invaded as soon az
its navy was wiped of the seas by
the dominant naval power. He seems
10 take il for granted that such a dis
aster is certain. And yet most Amer
leans who see the tremendous expen
diture for naval purposes will. IN view
Of what the general has said,asi
themselves what are all these billioni
} worth if they cannot give US a naVl
that can hold the seas in case OF war
Il we get the drift of the generals log
i. ic an army OF l,5OO. 600 would not b
: necessary if our navy were able Z
maintain itself upon the seas. Thi
suggests that the American peopl'
can escape from universal militar.
training by making their navy oigge
and bigger. regardless OF cost
, Until the Panama canal Is an opel
waterway every day in the year an
aycry hour in the day our navy. Il
= case Of war. cannot defend both tn
Atlantic and Paci1c coasts. Ii Is yer
doubtful whether, should We De a.
P tackled by European and an Asiati
. naval pnwer simultaneously, our nav
5 would be able 10 keep the seas eve
5 with the canal clear. We face tn
q necessity Of maintaining the Worid
4 bigpest navy or OF providing an arm
mai can resist any possible inyasio
+ after the navy Is destroyed or smut
in harbOr.
Theoretically. General Scott demol
2 strates his case. He points out ths
= Great Britain. having Canada as
q h,ae could easily launch a suCcessf'
O INVASION OF the United States, espe
c fs1ty With the assistance OF Japal
r pajng an inland empire. with contrr
J. - ~ Atlantic OCEAN Great Britai
;. rould not be invaded and. therefor
, could direct all her military power
The invasion OF this country
e A soldier can take no other view
Il ,hs situation II h not his proyint
; - w.igh the chances Of war betwes
. the two English-speak powers =
= ,nrst start with the premise that suS
n a collision is apt - take place Al az
b. time Salt Lake Tribune.