The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-30
SERVICE NEED CIVILIAN
SUPPORT


The recent manifestations of public
hostility towards the Army and Navy
are disturbing and puzzling. These
national services have done nothing to
justify such hostility. AT the core they
are as Loyalty American, as public
spirited, as high minded, as they We're
at the crest of their popularity brought
on by the war wave Of patriotism.
No reasonable cause can be ascribed
to the seeming revulsion Of public
opinion against them. Apparently there
are many undercurrents of powerful
propaganda at work to discredit and
enasculate the national services: no
other satisfactory explanation of the
present conditions can be advanced.
IF this is true the services will be
unable to counter 1t alone. The public
will have to come to the rescue Of its
army and its navy against such un-
manly attacks if the nation is to have
competent hands and brains to defend
it in the future.
We are witnessing a great interna
ticnal conference for the limitation of
ornaments. called by our own presi-
dent. 1t is an American idea and con-
forms with the policy Of the admins
tration in office. representing a great
majority Of the American people.
Support the Government.
From the beginning of our govern
ment the army and the navy have sup
ported the policies of our country, and
the policies of the government. That
has always been clearly recognized by
both services as their primary func-
ton Never has there even been a
shadow of suspicion against them
otherwise. There is none at present.
On the contrary, it was to the navy
that the task was given to determine
the basis upon which the savy was to
be limited in accordance with the gen.
eral policy of the government.
Months of labrious study and analy-
sis were devoted by naval officers to.
this question Alternative proposals
radically reducing the navy Were
drawn up and explained to the non
technical American conferees. One of
these was accepted and proposed by
Mr.. Hughes to the conference repre-
senting the nations with whom our
navy is likely to be called upon to meet
in combat All of these Immediately
accepted the proposals in principle
Can any element OF self seeking or
other reprehensible act or intention be
in this, on the part of the
navy? Certainly not.
Yet there was undoubted enmity to
the navy in the into1erant and threat
ening attacks by Representative Mad
den upon naval officers while they
v~~at.A N,arnra lite ,r,,,,,,fx4aa
Senator Watson vented his spite
against the army by trying to bulldoze
publicly, and threatening to slap the
face Of a perfectly comported young
American citizen whose only offense
was to be dressed in the uniform of the
American army. Representative Kelley
and others seek the slightest occasion to |
advocate virtual abolition OF naval per-
sonnet. -
Press Easily Swayed.
Not many months ago such behavior |
would have meant political suicide |
The press OF the country would have
been in an uproar. Today it Is silent. |
except 10 headline possibilities Of re-
dqction that would effectually nullify /
The diplomatic efforts OF Mr.. Hughes in |
behalf Of America, and that have no /
sound basis in reason.
Some American papers have staffs /
unable to discuss naval and military |
questions intelIigently. or to interpret
such matters correctly. They fall an
Easy prey. not only to insidious foreign /
but also to misguided |
oacirists and other impractical minded i
ireamers and tdealists.
The services need the immediate
support OF the straight thinking, red |
FLOODED civilians who form the real /
backbone OF this country, however. in
articulate they may be IN printers ink. !,
AS they have been always. the ser
riees are still subservient to the coun-
rvs best interest.
They do notNseek to swell them
'elves beyond the national needs FOR
economy. or contrary to business de- II
hands, or in excess OF an International Il
4