The Washington herald., 1918-04-23
Expand the Army.

We enter the second year OF stripped OF
illusions. The role we to play in this colossal
war is clear. Our strength is to bridge the span
between deadlock and victory for the allies. Our
forces to bring the struggle to end.
1t is platitude to say that to smash the enemy
VIC need an army commensurate with the physical
resources OF our country. Heretofore have not
thought OF raising army that will be representa-
tive of our true status in the world We have not
thought of full conversion into military power.
Huge as our preparations have been, they have
hardly moro than scratched the surface OF our re-
sources. They have not touched us to the quick
in the OF sacrifice and burden bearing
Now the War Department proposes to raise
army OF at least 26oo,ooo men. 1t should be per-
mitted TO do The have in training
in the cantonments will be in the field at distant
date. Every man that sails for France should be
replaced by another in training. 1t would be
better if two added to the training
camps for every one that goes abroad. An army
OF this caiber would not be more than what
to the cause. 1t would be the best possible
insurance for carly peace. 1t would show Ger
many. less than France and Great Britain, that
the American juggernaut in time-and at very
distant timc-would be irresistible.
There is only way to wage war. and that is
to wage 1t with all the strength and power at
command. Great Britain, with population hardly
United States, has had since 1914 than 7.ooo-
600 men under arms Little Scotland has one man
in the field for every and half of her popu-
laton. France has every man in the army that is
mt for the fight We would be unworthy of the
high resolve have taken, OF the great cause we
have espoused, if did not show at least a tthe
OF the of determination. To date
resources of man power. have hardly been
touched. No asks to strip for action in the
~
stripped Three frightful years are behind them,
in which the flower of their manhood, oceans of
their best blood, have been offered to Mars Let
the United States here and resolve to take at
lest equal share of the struggle in the future
until the end is reached
Great things are being done now. The first
fruits OF year OF preparation being gathered
We sending across the Atlantic at a rate
which Senator Hitchcock secure in the conscious
HesS OF wisdom superior to that OF Secretary OF
War Baker said impossible not many weeks
ago He scotfed at Mr.. Bakers tentative predic-
tons that we would have 100000 men in France
early in 1919 and 100000 men III the field by
next Christmas. We wonder ii he would care to
repeat his scoffing now Miracles have been done
in the procurement OF shipping. There is little
tonnage the Atlantic that is not in some
way serving the American machine. And it
wal not be many months before the Emergency
Fleet Corporation. after many months of almost
difficulties, will be turning ships
at a rate which will amaze the world. Within nine
months the shipping problem, a problem, will
be thing OF the past. In 1910 and 1920 will
be able TO transport any army to Europe that
care train for the struggle.
For that reason it will not do to reach the
point where the transport OF troops will be de-
layed by inadequate provision OF man power. The
time NAV come when ships will be living idle in our
docks while reserves are completing their
training in the camps. Now is the time to provide
for that time by building cantonments, if
necessary and by providing the authorization OF
army of any size that the War Department
ht raise.
The United States should begin the training OF
an army that will be big enough for any job that
Destiny may assign to it. In the days when the su-
prcme offensive on the Western front comes
should not be found wanting We already have
sufficient warning that the war is going to re-
solve itself into question OF power. We
possess inc answer that question, and should
lose no time-in getting it ready.