Evening star., 1922-04-04
Americas National Defense.

Unnecessary scrapping of the arms
of national defense is opposed unani-
mously by the newspapers of the ma
tion regardless of political belief.
Republican and democratic editors
alike agree that obligations growing
out of the recent disarmament con-
ference shall be respected.
There seemingly is a growing In
dignation expressed over the con-
gressional suggestions that the cuts
shall be those that will affect what
usually has been termed the red
blood of America"
This sentiment apparently was sum-
med up by The Star, which, after re-
viewing the action Of the House In
dealing with the several problems
rendered ridiculous contending for
a definite ratio in the treaty and de-
liberately lowering it in the applica-
tion." Further developing the sus-
gestion. the Norfolk (Va-) Virsfnian-
Pilot (democratic) calls attention 70
the fact that, while Congress might
possibly be under vague construc-
tion given the status of military
staff. 'the makers of the Constitution
acted wisely in vesting the President
further that Congress should leave
the Chief Executive "free to use
armed forces as his best judgment
may dictate"
In the opinion of the Chicaso Daily
News "a small standing army can
serve all the nations needs in time
of peace, but the nation must be in
position rapidly to increase its de-
tenders in case OF necessity. And II
is the belief Of the News that the is
sue now raised gives the War Depart
ment "a good chance to bring about
the abolition of all useless army
posts" Still. the Peoria, Ill. Tran
script independently sees In the agi.
tation more a desire Ton the part of
Congress) to catch votes in doubtful
tionaI authority OF the commander
in-chief." while the Flint. Mich. Jour-
nal independently. indorsing the stand
of Gen. Pershing. Secretary Weeks
believes that while the people Of
the country want reduction in taxes
and government expenses as much as
it is wise and possible, they do not
want the Army or the nations mil
itary protection reduced to state of
inefficiency."
The independent republican, Min
neapolis, Mimi, Journal is convinced
that, while "ecopomy is imperative
j just now, legislation should avoid
short-sighted curtailment of the ma
tions defense; The S Judgment o. Of dis lis
! ward determining what size Army
and Navy should be required for pur-
poses of safety and defense. Still. the
Ann Arbor, Mich, Times-News Gnde-
gress is endeavoring to get back to
| ancient traditions. It's provision for
military training for the student
army has its complete Endorsement.
and the paper. continuing, says: TT
seems evident that in cutting the land
l fn min CSnnVToSS
losing sight of the need for proper
training of the vast body Of private
citizens from which must come our
| main fighting strength in time OF
need. The Salt Lake, Utah. Deseret
News points out that reduced appro-
priations mean the closing OF unnec-
essary Army posts, and adds: The
upkeep Of these posts makes heavy
| drain upon the Treasury and there
| fore upon the taxpayers: Some Of
them are quite useless so far as mill
tary necessity or strategic value Is
concerned"
Sharp criticism Of the entire plan
| is enunciated in a comprehensive re-
! view Of the situation by the Knox
Vile, Tenn. Sentinel undependent
| Is nothing crazier than the craze of
false economy, and the present Com
! Eress. while eager and chafing to
spend untold billions at the bunghole
| Of the government, would save some
meager millions by emaseulatinE the
Army even though It endangered the
| security Of the country" To this the
Muncie. md, Star independent re-
| publican) adds that the opinion of
| the military experts should be per
mitted to prevail. beeause "our mill
| tary leaders never have been accused
| Of being rampant milttarists, and
| their advice will be accepted by the
| public in preference to that OF z
group which has opposed without
| reason practically every appropria-
! tion for the national Defense"
| ss(!ut that swollen overhead. not the
| strength in men that already has
| been shrunk," voices the st. Louis
Giobe-Democrat (republican). in in.
| dorsing abolition Of widely scattered
ton OF the President and his mill
fsyv advisers. The New York Trib-
une frepubIican) also believes that
| there is a tendency on the part OF
| Conrress to cut too close to the bone.
| n snrrests that there 10 passion
in the House for military retrench-
| ment. which is emotional more than
tism and unreason Is cropping out:
| ana the Navy well tempered. depend
| ahie peace-time instruments" The
New York Evening Post (independ-
| anti warmly indorses, suggestions
| that the President should veto any
| Army bill that would interfere with
| the War Secretary. suggesting that
| the House can express its oenei that
| the Pncifc without tying the hands
| Of President Harding"
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