Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-18
A CAUSE FOR APPREHENSION

attention to an editorial in The
in the column Of comment, but not
because We agree with all it's con-
illusions. There Is nothing incom-
patble or inconsistent In keeping
fit and in preaching and practising
peace. As a matter OF fact we be-
Iieve II those, who are working for
international peace, would assist In
making this country a well defend
ed. powerful nation peacefully dis
posed greater success would attend
their efforts for international peace.
The American Friend appears 10
have reasonable grounds for con-
demnIng some OF the things that
have been said. On the other hand
there are excellent reasons for con-
demnng what some of the peace
advocsts have said in opposition to
observance of Defense day, our
training camps and like endeavors.
Once we might have wondered
why that which appeals to US
by others or / 8 overlooked alto
gether. We no longer wonder and
It is we'll that all do not think alike.
There are. however. certain features
OF existence on earth the record of
which has been made. That is not
matter OF opinion but OF fact;
there is no more occasion to argue
ebout II than about the fact OF sun
rise and sunset.
This country has suffered far
tnore from slackness than from pre-
paredness. More have died because
of lack OF preparation than on ac-
noIRt OF 1t. Turning to recent
pISFs there Is ample evidence that
many American youth were need"
slcssly slaughtered in tho trenches
because they were sent there with
put any instruction in defending
themselves. really a murder OF thou
sands. Whose the fault? Look
about among those who for one rea-
son or another discourage sensible
provisions for keeping At: and there
are many different reasons. indif-
ference. stupidity. sentimentality.
ignorance. sel1shness. inability or
unwillingness TO face facts. obses-
slons over fancies being among
them.
No youth ever became physically
or mentally ut without training and
discipline. Telling him that II
he would he a nice little boy all
other boys would be nice little boys
and all would be lovely, would be
ono of the unnecessary cruelties OF
that boys life. and those who did
this cruel thing would not he entitl-
ed to his or to anybodys respect
Cultivatiug in the growing mind
perception OF actualities Is the duty
OF its elders. a duty which even
many OF tho animals recognize In
treatment OF their young.
1t is a cause for apprehension that
human beings for the most part
seek the easier way. do not take
naturally to setting-up drills,
sacrifice of immediate comfort
American history tells us how in
every war the country suffered and
men died, not because We were or
ever had been militarisuc. on the
contrary politics. parsimony and
pif'le had left us weak. had seriously
impaired that which we were pleas
ell to term our army. These would
81 IL ~
the Revolution In 1875 but for the
fact that American enterprise in
commercial shipping had built up
the nucleus OF navy and trained
the men who later manned the
ships that saved us from England.
So It has been in our history. need
less slaughter and difficulties made
more difficult by failure 10 do our
obvious duty.
Such being the natural disposition
OF the American toward prepared
ness anything from any source
which may encourage this phase of
shiftlessness is a menace and must
be guarded against; the impractic-
able must not be permitted TO Grip
pie the practicable. We are
naturally tolerant of those who meet
and pass resolutions, sometimes
when we should not be. Kindly
souls assembled IN parlors blandly
and serenely assuring US there is to
be no more war. that henceforth we
must not be apprehensive lest the
thug break through and steal. that
he will not be naughty II we are
nice. may unconsciously become a
threatening factor and cannot safely
be treated with amused tolerance,
They have no more right 10 infiict
their nonsense upon us than have
other nonsensical theorists. who shy
at facts and hold up hands in holy
horror at wickedness which they In
directly aggravate.
Had the United States of Amer
ica been a weak nation with weak
navy and unable to build more ships
than other countries the Washing
ton Conference for Limitation Of
Armament never would have been
held. though we had passed resolu-
ktions until the cows came home.