Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-07

cloud Of fear is evidently not now so
appalling. It IL impossible to believe
that any nation now feels that 1t
could better itself by war, and It Is ap-
parent to me that there has been a
very distinct advance in the policy of
peaceful and honorable adjustment OF
international differences. War has be-
come less probable; peace has become
more secure. The price which has
been paid to bring about this new con-
dition Is utterly beyond comprehen-
sion. We can not see why 1t should
not have come in orderly and peaceful
methods without the attendant shock
Of hrs and sword and carnage. We
only know that 1t IL here. We believe
that on the ruins Of the old order q
better civilization IL being constructed.
Domestic problems
We had our domestic problems
which resulted from the war. The
chief of these was the care ana relief
Of the afIiicted veterans and their de-
pendents. This was tremendous
task. on which about $3,o00,00o,000 has
already been expended. No doubt
there have been cases where the un-
worthy have secured aid, while the
worthy have gone unrelieved. Some
mistakes were inevitable, but our peo-
pie and our Government have at all
times been especially solicitous to
discharge most faithfully this prime
obligation. What is now being done
is related to you in detail by General
Hines, OF the Veterans Bureau. a pub
lilo official of demonstrated merit, so
that shall not dwell upon 1t. Dur
ing the past year. under the distin-
guished and efficient leadership of
Commander Drain, the Legion itself
has undertaken to provide an endow-
ment fund Of 100000 to minister to
the charitable requirements of their
comrades. The response to this ap-
peal has been most generous and the
results appear most promising. The
Government can do much, but 1t can
never supply the personal relation
ship that comes from the ministra-
tions Of a private charity Of that kind.
The next most pressing problem
was the better ordering of the finances
of the Nation. Our Government was
costing almost more than 1t was
worth. 1t had more people on the
pay roll than were necessary, all of
which made expenses too much and
taxes too high. This inflated condi-
tion contributed to the depression
! which began in 1920, But the Govern
/ ment expenditures have been almost
cut In two, taxes have been twice re-
duced, and the incoming Congress will
provide further reductions. Deflation
has run its course and an era of bust
ness activity and general prosperity,
exceeding anything ever before ex-
perienced in this country and fairly
well distributed among all our people,
| 10 already at hand.
Our country has a larger Army and
a more powerful Navy, costing an
nually almost twice as much as it ever
| before had in time of peace. 1 am a
| thorough believer in a policy of ade-
Quats military preparation. We are
constantly working to perfect our de-
lenses in every branch, land lforces,
air forces. surface and submarine
forces. That work will continue. Our
Military Establishment of the Army
| and Navy, the National Guard. and
! the Reserve Corps, is far superior to
| anything We have ever maintained be-
fore, except in time of war. In the
past six years we have expended about
| $4,000, 100000 for this purpose. That
ought to show results, and those who
have correct information know that II
| does show results. The country can
rest assured that II security lies in
military force. It was never so secure
before in all its history.
We have been attempting to relieve
ourselves and the other nations from
the old theory Of competitive ANNA
ments. In spite Of all the arguments
In favor of great military forces, no
nation ever had an army large en-
ough to guarantee It against attack
in time OF peace or to insure it's VIC
tory in time OF war. No nation ever
will. Peace and security are more
likely to result from fair and honor
able dealings, and mutual agreements
for q limitation of ornaments among
nations. than by any attempt at COM
petition in squadrons and battalions
No doubt this country could, If il
wished to spend more money, make a
better military force, but that is only
part Of the problem which confronts
our government. The real question is
whether spending more money to
make q better military force would
really make q better country. would
be the last to disparage the military
art. It Is an honorable and patriotic
calling of the highest rank. But
can see no merit in any unnecessary
expenditure of money to hire men to
build fleets and carry muskets when
International relations and agree
ments permit the turning Of such re-
sources into the making of good
roads, the building of better homes,
the promotion of education. and all
the other arts Of peace which minis
ter to the advancement of human well
fare. Happily, the position of our
country is such among the other ma
lions of the world that we have been
I'D hon IxA ma faH fx, w q
In this direction.
People Insist on Economy
While 1t is true that we are paying
out far more money and maintaining
q much stronger Military Establish
ment than ever before, because of the
conditions stated, we have been able
to pursue moderate course. Our
people have had all the war, all the
taxation, and all the military service
that they want. They have therefore
wished to emphasize their attach
ment to our ancient policy Of peace.
They have insisted upon economy.
They have supported the principle of
limitation Of ornaments. They have
/ been able to do this because of their
position and their strength in num-
bers and in resources We have tre-
mendous natural power which sup
plements our arms. We are con-
scious that no other nation harbors
any design to put us in jeopardy. 1t
is our purpose in our intercourse
with foreign powers to rely not on the
strength of our fleets and our armies
but on the Justice Of our cause. For
these reasons our country has not
wished to maintain huge military
forces. 1t has been convinced that 1t
could better serve itself and better
serve humanity by using its resources
for other purposes.
In dealing with our military prob