The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-11-01
BAKER TALKS
ON EFFICIENCY
OF the ARMY
Military Transformation of
Nation In Past Four
Years..
(By Newtown D. Baker, Secretary Of

(By Newtown D. Baker, Secretary Of
War;
The past four years have witness
ed the military transformation of the
nation. In the earliest DAYS the
phenomenon Of war affected directly
very few members of the body poll
tic. Individual champions, represent
tative of their respective sides, fought
out the issue, as exemplified in the
episode of David and Goliath. Later
on, as intercourse throughout the
world became more general, nations
relied upon hired armies of mercen-
aries to conduct their combats, these
forces being comparatively few in
numbers and their ravages affecting
only limited areas of territory But
with the development of science,
with the advent of steam and cleo
tricity, with the invention of gun
powder and the terrible ballistic
weapons of the day, with the draw
ing together of races so that almost
instantaneous contact obtains
throughout the surface of the globe,
with the contracting grip of world
pressure, war has become a vital ele-
ment affecting every integral part of
women and children without respect
for age, sex or condition. The obliga-
ton therefore for a proper prepara-
ton against this horrible calamity
has become a personal one for every
member of the state, irrespective of
age, sex or condition. Wars now
mean the translation into definite ac-
ton of the nation in arms. When
the present administration came into
office this principle was not general
ly understood and the nation was I'M
prepared. Until then our armed
forces were mainly constabulary in
effect. They represented practically
little more than the reserve back OF
the blue-coated policeman of the
street. But with the realization that
our geographical position no longer
protects us from the possibility Of
ravage. a Democratic Congress of the
United States, has recently written
into law a military policy by which
we hope to achieve safety for the ma,
ton and security for it's future peace
and welfare. The piecemea1 con-
stabulary force Of old is gone and in
it's place, we are constructing a COM
pact well-balanced, weI1-equipped,
well-organized army, small it is true,
but capable Of the most rapid expan-
sion under the press of necessity. An
army which in all except point Of size
will compare most favorably with the
armies of the world. An army which,
when the laws which have been writ
ten reach fruition, will be sufficient
not only ito bear the brunt of the mi
tial steps of foreign war, but to serve
as a nucleus for a force which needs
ho nn1u NV the Growth and
development of the nation itself. The
details of this Transformation are in
the hands of the best military ex-
perts of the country, and the laws
written during this administration
have practically followed their
recommendations. The transition
takes time for accomplishment, but
the assimilative powers of the nation
are being strained to the utmost to
accomplish the, desired end. When
the plans that have been inaugurated
reach fulfllment..I believe the nation
can face the future, so far as foreign
aggression is concerned, with con-
.fidence and serenity.
The passing from the old to the
new has thrown upon the American
army an enormous burden of con-
struitive work in addition to the mass
Of routine ordinarily handled. All
has been we'll done. In efficiency, in
loyalty, in the habit of industry, our
military establishment is unexcelled.
Under it's guiding hand the Insular
possessions have continued to pros
per; the Panama Canal has almost
reach completion; the trying work OF
border protection has been under
taken without murmur; the mobiliza-
ton Of the National Guard has been
accomplished with a smoothness and
lack of friction which stands in bold
contrast to the days of 'sS. AS its
temporary civil head, yield 1T the
tribute due to merit.
am for peace. But pacific habits
do not insure peace nor immunity
from national insult and aggression.
! Every country that would preserve
| its tranquility, it's rights, it's indie
pendence and it's self-respect, must
be at all times ready to make war.
| This does not mean the maintenance
Of an overwhelming standing army
or indeed an army of airy kind that
can in any way be construed, either
| by reason of sincere apprehension or
| by means Of disingenuous argument,
| into a menace against liberty I or
against the peace of the world; but it
does mean that the people Of the
country should take an intelligent in
terest in and cultivate a proper pride
| in their own military institutions. A
warlike nation is not as a conse-
quence thereof a military nation. On
| the contrary, the more warlfkel the
spirit of the people the less neces-
| sity there is for large standing
army, as in such a society every able
bodied man should be willing to fight
| on all occasions whenever the nation
demands his services in the field. In
| a free country like our own, where
everything depends upon the volun-
| tary action of the citizens, every male
brought into existence, of whatever
| condition, should be taught| from in
! fancy that the military service of the
| Republic carries with it honor and
distinction, and his life should be
permeated with the idea that even
death itself becomes a precious boon
when man dies that a nation may
| live and fulfill it's destiny.