The New York herald., 1920-11-21
PACIFISM Is BLAMED
FOR WAR BY MARCH
Chief of Staff of the Army
Says Preparedness Might
Have Prevented 1t.
SLIGHT FAITH IN LEAGUE
His Annual Report Strongly
Urges Standing Army of
Half Million Men.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Mnshinrtnn. ID. C.. Nov. 20.

b2ecidl Despatch 10 The NEW YORK hEhALp'
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Nov 20. )
What amounts to an expression OF
opinion that if the United States had
made even limited preparation the war
with Germany would not have oc-
CURED is contained in the annual re-
port of Gen. Peyton c. March. Chief
of Staff, made public here to-day.
Gen. March goes further and states
that if a pacifist policy had not pre-
vailed in Great Britain. there prob
ably would have been no world war
at s4li
This from the Chief of Staff serving
during the Administration of Presi-
dent Wilson has been received here
with surprise. The report urges or
ganization of regular army of 500 900
men, with a system Of universal mill
tary training.
Shows Need of Preparedness.
Gen. March's report calls attention to
the United States brilliant accomplish
ment in transporting more than 2.000,-
900 troops overseas. He says this
proves Americas geographical isolation
is not sufficient protection. What the
United States did other nations may do.
He calls attention also to the fact that
the war proves the United States can
be selr-supporting for an indefinite
period. These facts. he says. point the
way to a military policy which will
make 1t impossible for any other ma
ton to gain foothold in this country.
without which aggression against the
United States would be in vain.
In suggesting this policy Gen. March
does not take the League of Nations
seriously enough to warrant the sug-
gestion of lessening preparation in time
of peace for possible war. and urges
preparedness as the best guaranty of
peace.
Elaborating his opinion that lack OF
preparedness in the United States
prompted Germany to make her unlaw-
ful aggressions which forced the United
States into the war. Gen. March calls
attention to the fact there are now
100000 men and 100000 officers men
tally and physically trained for war.
There is also a great reserve of mate
rial. No other nation has such reserve.
In addition TO trained men the Govern
ment has complete cantonments, flying
fields. firing and training centres, store
houses and port terminals. This re-
serve and this physical equipment assure
the protection OF the country for five
years, making the elaboration of a per-
manent military policy possible, Gen.
March says. Having suggested the pol
icy which he believes should have beer
pursued. the General adds:
Had such a force and such a system
of training as is outlined been in ex-
istence in this country at the outbreak
of the war it rs probable that Germany
would not have dared by the violation
of the rights of this country under in
ternational law to have brought the
United States into the war. In fact.
had such a force and system been in
existence in England in 1914 IT is. in the
light of subsequent events. by no means
improbable that Germany never would
have begun the war at all.
shows Conflict with Wilson.
Gen. March's bold opinion is regarded
as the more remarkable when it is re-
membered that President Wilson
frowned on ali preparedness at the out
set of the war. saying the country was
prepared. and intimated that persons ad-
vocating preparedness were becoming
'hysterical'-an opposition to prepared
ness which eliminated in the resigna-
ton of Lindley NJ. Garrison as Secre-
tary of War and the prosecution of his
second campaign with the appeal to the
country that ''he kept us out of war.
Gen. March's opinion on this subject
IL reiteration OF his former report. show
ing II is a well grounded conclusion on
his part.
The permanent policy which the Chiei
OF staff has in mind il contained in tn
bill which was before the last session
of Congress In which the organization
Of a highly trained but skeletonized
army Of 536, 900 officers and men Is con-
templated. with system of universal
training which would nave developed
an available and trained reserve which
would have provided without question
the adequate protection to the country