The Washington times., 1917-02-05
President Has Not Indicated to
What Extent U. S. May
Enter Conflict.
ADVISERS DO NOT KNOW
Preparedness Intentions of Ad-
ministration Are Also Equal
w Concealed.

plan to be followed by the United
States in the event of war with Ger
many, as far as officials OF the War
Department have been informed.
AS far as can be ascertained by
most careful inquiries, he has not in
dicated to his military and naval ad-
visers whether, in the event of a
declaration of war, the United States
would actively participate with the
entente allies, or Independently;
whether the United States would send
an army to Europe and employ its
naval forces in helping blockade Ger
many and in an active search for
German submarines, or whether, like
Japan, the United States would merely
stand as a nominal factor in the
world struggle.
No more can it be stated with posi-
tiveness, has the President any def
mite plan to expedite measures of
military preparedness pendin & de-
velopments and during the initial
stages of an open state of hostilities.
Much Speculation.
There has been, to be sure, con-
siderable speculation printed on the
subject.
1t is only speculation. As far as
can be judged from surface indica-
tions or from a careful canvass of
the men who would be charged with
these matters, there is no definite
plan, and there is nothing to show
at this time that the President is
not relying on the hope, expressed
before Congress when he announced
the severance of relations, that Ger
many will not in the last analysis
force the United States to defend its
rights.
1t might be said that Washington
Is still in a daze over the whole af
fairs Certainly there is nothing to
show that all the possibilities of the
situation are fully comprehended.
Senators and Congressman out
spoken today in the belief that the
United States will have to go in"
are among those who have been the
most consistent exponents of pre-
paredness.
show Thorough Grasp.
Only the military and naval experts
OF the country-men accustomed to
think in terms OF the mechanics of
force-appear to show a thorough
grasp of these possibilities. And
these men very bitterly regret the
failure Of the United States to pre-
pare during the two years and a half
since the outbreak of the war. They
are even more worried over the lack
OF any definite understanding of what
line the Administration is prepared to
follow in the event of war.
Genera1ly 10
United States would follow the plan
of Japan. Actually, as the military
experts see 1t. this countryI could do
no more, certainly until steps were
taken to train a military force of
several millions of people. And there |
Is no-hing as yet to show that the |
President will ask Congress to pass |
the universal military training bill.
The United States regular army |
consists at present of less than 100,- |
900 men. The national guard, an ag-
Eregation OF 13S,OOO partially trained |
men, makes a total of 23S,O00 at the |
outside. As many men as that have |
been killed in a single campaign in |
Europe. To send them all to Europe |
would leave the United States, with |
millions OF unnaturalized aliens on its
hands without any protection. Those |
are humiliating details, TO be sure,
but the sooner they are comprehend
ed and acted upon the better.
Takes No Active Part.
For two years, or since the capture
of the German base at Kia-chao,
China, the Japanese government has
taken no active part in the war. No
part OF its army is in Europe. nor
any of its naval forces being used
TO convoy its own merchant ships.
several Of which have been sunk.
But the work OF military and naval
in Japan goes steadily
on. For what purpose can only be
surmised. The Oriental mind works
its wonders TO perform. Of
hcials here are thoroughly apprised
of how these preparations are going
ahead. They were apprised when
they were able on Saturday last to
persuade the legislatures of Oregon
and Idaho to withdraw the anti-Japa-
nese land holding bills which had
been introduced.
United States Almost LIstIess.
The period through which the Japa-
nese government has been taking
only a nominal part in the war, and
uuElnB "hlCn her "OEh OF military
has gone steadily for
ward, corresponds almost precisely
with the period which has elapsed
since Germany first launched her sub
marine warfare and sank the Lusi-
tania-
During this time the United States
has done practically nothing toward
The only army bill
passed in that period-the Hay bill
Is declared a failure by military men.
Day in and day out since the pres
ent session opened, in earnest, patri-
otic officers of the American army,
such as Maj. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief
Df STAFF, and Maj Len. Wood, former
chief OF staff, have told the commit
tees Of Congress that the only pos
sible plan Of military preparedness is
Dne based on universal training, yet
there is nothing even now to show
that the Administration will ask for
the passage OF a universal military
bill.
Urge Shaping of Bill.
Only by the passage Of such a bill,
do military experts believe, can any
force be whipped into !;
shape for possible service in Europe. !
And they most earnestly urEo that
Iuch a force be whipped into shape as
rapidly as possible.
For II is the habit of military men