Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-22
Two classes Of Extremists

wv It'll the ending of the war two classes
w of extremists arise. One has its eyes SO
resolutely fixed on peace that they are blinded
to the dangers of the future; the other is
so dazzled by success on the field of martial
honor that 1t can see no certain peace ex-
cept that guaranteed by force of arms. Both
are partially right and both are partially
wrong. The leadership Of neither should, nor
VIII, be followed by the great mass OF tho
american people, who, loving peace and it's
pursuits above all other things have learned
the costly lesson of unpreparedness, and do
not propose to make another such sacrifice
OF precious blood and golden treasure to tho
ietfch OF a Chinafied nation. There is Il mean
between the two extremes which the United
States will follow, and il would be criminal
folly to deviate from that path so long as
the dream of the PARLIAMENT Of man, fed
Grafton OF the world" remains only u dream
10 The first class Of extremists Senator
Thomas S. Martin, Of Virginia. has joined
himself Because or his high place in the
nations regard. his attitude is regrettablc
and 1t is not little surprising because OF
MS admittedly broad and sane views on other
questions affecting the national welfare. To
his mind. peace is here to stay for at least
fifty years. Therefore. abandon every war
preparation, shut down every war work,
spend not another cent for martial purposes
VIC need no guns. there is no sense in this
talk of compulsory military training either
Tor the citizenry at large for the youths
IN The schools. His plan OF rehabilitation OF
everything that pertains to war is about as
sweeping as it could he made and if carried
out except for the army and the navy would
return the United States to its prewar stage
OF military inefficicncy. lie views tho vast
sums That have been expended for war dur
ING inc months OF this coulltry's participa-
ton and realizes the necessity OF national
retrenchment and speedy return to tho arts
OF peace. In that he is right but the peo-
pic never will consent to follow him TO the
point OF danger TO which his extreme ideas
would expose them. World conditions do
not Justify such policy and it will be
many years, perhaps centuries, before the
sword shall have been sheathed forever and
the brotherhood Of man accomplished
Nelther nave the extremists, who seeming
y arc becoming cnamorcd of militarism, IA
leg to stand on, and their clamor for a super-
navy ana supcrarmy will be drowned in a
"ood OF alsapproval. But the navy should
"o Kept abundantly strong to meet danger
Wherever 1t may present itself on the seas,
and to do for the United States what the
british navy did for the whole allied world
while America was preparing to fight The
army must be Kept up to effective strength
ana ne an adequate framework for a force
such as exists to-day without the DELAY and
CONFUSION that marked the induction to SER
vice ana training OF millions Of green mon,
from winch material il was built There
should be military training both for the cit
iHenrE and the schools. since only in that way
'ah americas man power be kept mme-
o'a'eiy available when emergency comes, and
In no other manner can the Young manhood
We drought and kept on the high plane OF
rhsS'cai ana moral fitness it has reached to-
way III no other way can America be as
surcd of the lasting peace which Senator
.iar'ii loresees and retain that respect among
'he hations which now it commands and. il
necessary, could enforce