New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-16
To tho Editor Of Tho Tribune.

To the Editor Of Tho Tribune.
c.. A, tho outbreak Of the war every
oo, ruropean nation took steps TOWARD
making secure the national defence. Amer
lea alone among the great nations OF '"e
world did nothing Ia this to be eHpia'hc"
bv her traditional isolation1 Hardy. Every
ga. who haa kent abreast OF the times knows
only too well that tho seas, ins'ead OF P''
senting n barrier TO the nations enemies no"
offer The eariest Of all avenues for success
sul attack Was Il then for the reason that
we are already adequately protected by our
navy. our coast defences and our arnyF Inc
meres. tyro knows better than that Let us
admit frankly that tho dominant reason why
sixteen months after tho outbreak OF inc
war the country 10 still dcfcnceless against
her probable enemies Is tho unwiliingntss 70
listen 10 experts and the stubborn will OF
the President Of the United States.
These qualities are both illustrated D.
statements made in his speech before the
Joint houses Of Congress on tho 9Th OF Do
cember, 1914 Speaking Of national defence
he said:
There II no new need TO discuss II. We
shall not alter our attitude because some
among US are nervous and excited. we
shall easily and oensibly agree upon policy
Of defence. The question has not changed
its aspects because tho times arc not nor
NAL Let there DO no misconcsption
The country has been msinformed. We have
not been negligent Of national defence"
Finally, after . year and a half Of war, the
President also has allowed It 70 be under
stood that something must bs done toward
providing the elements OF defence.
Yet, II VIC arc to Judge from the statements
In his Manhattan Club speech and IN his
later message to Congress, he is still fsr
from approaching tho true condition OF the
country as regards defence. Witness these
sentences from tho Manhattan Club address
which was delivered on November 4. 1875
"No thoughtful man feels any panicky
haste In this matter The country Is not
threatened from any quarter. She stands In
friendly relations with all the world. Her
resources arc known, and her se,f-respect
and her capacity 20 caro- for her own citizens
and her own rights. There Is no fear
among US"
Let some OF our citizens returning from
the horrors In Mexico, or a relative OF one Of
the victims of the Lusltania murder, state
what has been her capacity to care for Amei-
lean citizens and FOR American rights!
But seem to hear it said "Why review
these unpleasant facts, since the Precedent
has now given us plaza of national defence
and with Characteristic pertinacity IS Ell
deavorng 20 force it through Congress-" In
other words, should we not adopt the position
Of taking the plans as they are?
II is not because the plans are inadequate
merely that they have been 40 generally con
demned by the societies organized for ma
tional defence, but because, I'm the opinion OF
experts. they are unwisely amateurishly
conceived, and would give tho people th'
false impression tina. their money was being
spent for wise system Of protection having
upon it the seal Of the government experts
When. in his Manhattan Club speech Nh
Wilson stated OF his plan, at represents the
best professional and expert opinion OF the
country" he knew II to be fundamentally cp-
posed 70 the plan evolved after years OF
study by the most highly trained bodies Of
experts in the country the General STAFF OF
the army and the General Board OF the navy.
His challenge, HAS any better plan been pro-
posed than this programme which we now