New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-07
Borah's Economies


The manifest objection to Senator
Eorali's bland proposal to reduce the
ramber Of army officers 80 per cent
i that competent army officers can
mi be secured over night. Such be-
lcnr to profession that, year by
ysar. becomes more exacting and
teehuical. They are specialists and
experts. and time and experience are
needed for their education.
Reduce from $4,000 to 1000 the
eaicer corps and then, should need
arise. it would be difficult, if not i'm
possible. to 90 out and re-recrult it.
Even though former officers patri-
oticallv nut on their uniforms again
their knowledge would be largely out
of date. Under modern conditions it is
rossible to whip the rank and file into
lair condition within six months or a
year but not so officers. Germany,
vhatever.her defects of judgment as
to many matters, knew the art of
Eodern war. Next to nlodernity in
weapons, she recognized the rea sons
Why her army should be over-offi-
eered in peace time if it was to be
efficient in war time. This Borah
proposal strikes at the very roots of
reasonable preparedness. To save
millions the Senator would run the
risk of later spending billions-of
sacrificing thousands of lives, and,
perhaps, national defeat.
The second Borah economy item is
to stop construction work on the six
LUCE battleships now being built.
This rests OH better foundations
inan its predecessor. Many of our
rest intelligent naval experts think
The 1916 battleship program, even
though the matter Of economy were
rot involved, has been too rigidly adj
nered to. The huge battleship, ex-
cept for special and limited service,
Is attacked as archaic. Munitions
ior this campaign were furnished by
me recent tests of the Virginia
eapes. The new acroplano and the
new submarine engage the attention
Of progressive navy men. Unless
there is contemporaneous command
Y the air and of sub-surface a bat
usshlp can scarcely risk going to
sea. Until there is a resolution of
lhese doubts it is declared a waste to
mount huge guns on floating bat
erles. There is thus strength be-
aifa the plea for policy of waiting
s"mle-a plea which is not weak
eacd IN force by the state of the
treasury.
AS to the American troops on the
SHINE, whose maintenance draws
M'poo,ooo month from the nation
!" treasury, there is middle
s'ouad between withdrawing alto
ss'ner and keeping considerable
'ufco there. What is essential is
'oas Gernlany shall understand that
Y are behind the doctrine that Ger
many must respect the Treaty Of
sersallles. But our influence at
present. is chiefly moral one. The
s ssoed notice can. perhaps, be as eff
sN''sely communicated to Germany
y y company with the American
~ ss a0ating over it as by a division.
y ~ main thing is to keep the flag
~'te' and as long as this is done it.
! improbable Germany will misun-
~,Aand. II a partial withdrawal
aered. may wen nc OF
-, s''hg the reduction of the
,aa rank and file from 10000 to
NV WY IL Is not easy to express any
W.. 1--WE opinion. Recently Secretary
va. AS demonstrated, though, his adj
~. 80 saad 1t could not be done, how
Il was to lop 10000 from the
scy rolls. This rrv~h. y,
&C.. ss when the opportunity was
ss ec to them. Whether $4,000
. W. hired by the government Cor
i. sasas period, are willing to quit
II, a 'Aa matter. Surely no one
sl'ously advocate breaking Of
p, lonsl word Moreover. while
aaa - csssia1 IL Z.