The Washington times., 1921-11-20

AHto 10 tWc SovoWtW VI u ooIsoo VI
articles by Rear-AdmiyGi Bradley
Allen Fiske, U S. ~, on ornaments
and other problems.
II N view Of the fact that the United
States finds itself In position
relative to Japan which
contains elements of possible ma
tional danger. since a serious antag-
onism of material interests co-exists
with unpreparedness of armament
on our part, the question naturally
arises, What is the best thing to
dor" ~
Inasmuch as this question will
probably come before the Confer
ence on Limitation of Armament in
some form. It would be presumptu-
GUS for me to try to answer 1t In
its immediate aspects. There can
be no improperly. however. in my
pointing out that the fundamental
cause of the situation Is what Ad-
miral Mahan called 'unprepared-
ness of mind" or in my suggesting
measures for correcting 1t.
As a navy officer of experience.
may be presumed to have a fair
conception of the role of naval stra-
tegy in supporting national policy.
But this does not mean that have
much knowledge Of national policy.
For this reason will avoid any dis
cussion Of policy. beyond stating
that. in order to insure the ability
, Of the national armament to lend
adequate support to any new ma
tional policy. 1t has always been
found advisable for the statesmen
to confer with the strateeists before
they launch the policy.
ADVANTAGE WITH US.
At the present crisis our arma-
nent seems unequal to the task Of
enforcing our policy Of the Open
Door, in case Japan should refuse
to accede to 1t. But this is no new
condition. Our armament seemed
unequal to supporting our policy in
1875, 1912, 1845, 1851, 1898 and 1914;
with the result that bloody and
costly wars had to be waged. in
orier to enforce It. ..
Up. to the present time, we have
always been able to overcome the
handicap Of our unpreparedness suf-
ficiently to escape disaster. for the
sole reason that we have never had
to fight a war except with all the
advantage on our side. But we
have never tried even to ascertain
the cause Of our recurring condi-
tons Of unpreparedness, and have
lapsed back into unpreparednsss i'm
mediately after each war ended
with the result that. as soon Is the
next war caught us, we have had
to pass through the same agonies
of violent preparation. enormous
losses In blood and money. and enor-
nous increase OF national debt.
We arc like many men and wo-
men. who take no reasonable care
OF their health. with the result that
they are continually becoming sick.
Both tho sensible man and the
sensible nation have to meet the
usual emergencies of life: but both
keep in such a state Of health that
they are prepared to meet such
Unfortunately, the United States
has not been q sensible nation. and
has not guarded its health. The re-
suit has been that. although It has
thus far been able to survive. Just as
many a young man and woman with
a fine constitution has been able to
survive a long career of luxurious
living. yet 1t has not only suffered
much more in war than was neces-
sary. and paid out much moro
money than was necessary. but It
has been an unnecessary long time
in recovering.
UNPREPARED FOR WAR.
The United States has never been
prepared for war when war came,
and has never been prepared for
peace when peace came. We look
down on Germany and Japan as
"militaristic." Yet. in many ways.
they seem to get on better than we.
Certainly they have never been
thrown into such spasms by war.
Now, why have Germany and ia
pan been prepared and the United
States not prepared? Why were the
five wise virgins prepared and the
five foolish virgins unprepared?
Why are some men and women con-
tinually caught unprepared. while
other men and women are not? Why
are some people continually falling
sick while others are not? Largely
because Of difference In mental at
titude toward the hard facts Of life.
Men and nations who maintain
themselves in a condition Of all
round preparedness do not allow the
pleasures and the luxuries Of life to