Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-05

! with the riches OF nature and fertile
for the production of all Of natures
bounties. Our population Of approx
/ mately 100. 1000, 900 people has gathered
and laid by riches to an aggregate
greater than any hitherto known. Our
form OF government. largely II not
wholly experimental at the outset, has
| so far demonstrated the wisdom OF
those who framed 1t and the patriotism
and wisdom of those who have ad.
ministered IT, Although very often en-
gagged In war, we have 30 far survived
all shocks from without or within, and
never In our history were We more
justified in self-gratulation. Direful in
deed would 1t be if this feeling Of
self-satisfaction should have the re-
suit, so often found in history. of self.
indulgence, self-deception, and the
choice of the easiest way. When a
nation or an individual comes to be-
lieve that he or it is the faVorite Of
fortune and therefore need not face
stern realities and imperative duties
and responsibilities, disaster is near,
is deserved, and occurs.
Must View Responsibilities.
We must therefore view our Tespon-
sibilities and measure up to them.
Outside of the direct responsibilities
to our own citizens and those which
We have assumed in territories over
the seas, we have declared that the
other independent nations OF THIS con.
tinent shall remain invfolable In re.
spect to their independence.
4 The duty of the nation. enjoined
upon II no less by independent con.
sideration of the principles which in.
here In government than by the ex
press language of the Constitution, Is
to take proper measures for the de;
tense of the rights of the nation az
measured by its responsibilities. That
we have not thus far done those things
wisely which equip US to maintain our
responsibilities, requires neither state.
ment nor demonstration. That we
should do them is undoubtedly the con-
sensus of opinion Of the sensible peo-
pie of the United States today. "
Proper Basis Necessary. - 49,.
In proposing military policy to
be adopted at this time, the very first
thing to do must be to agree upon
the proper basis. ...s...
The subject could, theoretically, be
approached without regard to exist.
ing constitutional and legal provisions
and existing institutions and senti..
ments. Undoubtedly this method would
result In proposals that would be
sound from a military point of view
and would theoretically approach per.
lection. The necessity of making such
a system practicable, however, would
require constitutional amendments, a
reversal of existing institutions, and
the changing Of existing sentiments to
such an extent as to make it safe
prediction that little, If anything,
would be accomplished, and that only
after the passage of a great length of
time.
Z The other possible method Of ap.1
the subject Is one which rec.
ognizes existing constitutional and le-
gal provisions, existing institutions,
and the sentiments of the people in
so far as they concern vital portions
Of the system. 1 s-
AS between the two methods of
It seems so clearly the part
Of wisdom to choose the one last stated
as not TO require elaboration Of rea.
son.
Must DO What 10 Possible Now.
I The essential, the imperative thing,
is to make such wise military prepa.
rations and take such wise precautions
as are presently possible. These rea-
sons dispose of many suggestions
which are entirely worthy of consid.
Grafton from a military standpoint, but
which could not be made effective un.
der existing conditions, Military sys-
TENS based upon universal military
service, upon CONSUMPTION, or upon ma.
tional control Of the public school sys.
tenn. fall under this head, as also does
any policy. which can only be made
operative by q constitutional amend
ment or by identical, contemporane.
Gus legislation In the IS states of the
Union. In any policy proposed, more
over. the matter of the cost of its
has much to do with its
acceptability, not that there should be
any legitimate objection to the neces.