The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-05-27
THE sIMs.pA>EIs CONTROVERSY.

We do not think the country has been either
edited or deeply Interested In the sims DnnieIs
controversy concerning tho navy and the part
II played in the war. Admiral Sims eNinced more
courage than judgment In precipitating the row
he will come out rather thoroughly tarrod with
pro British sentiments--urged by him too at
the expense OF his compntriots.
But after listening TO the surprising opinions
of the secretary OF the navy concerning naval
affairs In general the country must have a feel
ing that II should congratulate itself on the
fact that II is safely through war and certain
TO be rid of the present incumben, of the naval
portfolio before another war comes.
Mr. Daniels frankly confesses disapproval of
ANYTHING in the nature OF program OF pre-
paredness. His doctrine is sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof" He asserts that human
history proves that planning In advance ac-
compshes nothing that it is useless and waste
ful expenses; that what we do today Is proven
obsolete tomorrow and so on
Drawing such lesson from human history"
proves density on the part OF the student The
thing that stood between Germany and the fun
realization of plans that she had carefully pre-
pared herself to carry through was nothing
that men Of the Daniels stamp thought or did.
Germany's preparedness found world com
pletely at her mercy, so completely at her mercy
that had II not been for divine intcrpositton she
would have realized her ambition. World don
nation is incapable of realization either by an
individual nation or a combination Of nations.
That is an economic and political principle which
renders nugatory the league of nations and the
ambitious program it seeks to carry out.
But had there been adequate preparedness on
the part of the nations against whom Germany
hurried her hordes, the war would have ended
precisely as it eventually ended. very shortly
after 1t began And a million lives would have
been spared This is a point the pacirist mind
seems incapable OF grasping-that adequate pre-
paredness does not mean war but peace, that it
does not mean the slaughter of human beings
but the prevention of that slaughter. And on that
point the visionary and idealist trip themselves
and founder ridiculously,
1t may be true, Secretary Daniels and too
many who think he does assert, that this
country is capable OF protecting itself under any
and all circumstances. But the preparedness ad-
vocates understand that the difference between
forming an adequate defensive force in the face
OF an enemy and throwing an adequately pre-
pared and trained force against that enemy in
the beginning is appalling human wastage
that prudent consideration of statescraft and
nationalism requires shall be avoided II would
be possible to ultimately defeat the best trained
pugilist by hurting inexperienced men into the
ring against him eventually he would be worn
down. But matching him in kind in the first
instance would be common
The secretary of the navy gave symetry and
consistency to the administration OF which he
was and is part The country wants none other
like it ever aEain,