Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-12-08

employment of their people, and as
contribution to our power of de-
fense which could not be carried on
Gustry should be encouraged. 1t is.
especially adapted to the Filipino.
people themselves, who might cul.
tivate it individually on a small
acreage. 1t could be carried on
extensively by American capital in
a way to furnish employment at
good wages. I am opposed to the
promotion of any policy that does
not provide for absolute freedom on
the part of the wage earners, and
DO not think we should undertake
to give power for large holdings of
land in the islands against the op-
position of the people of the To-
icality. Any development Of the
islands must be solely with the first
object of benefiting. the people of
the islands. AT an early day, these
possessions should be taken out
from under all military control and
administered entirely on the civil
side of government.
National Defense
Our policy of national defense is
not one of making war, but of
insuring peace. The land and sea
force of America, both in its 40
nestle and foreign implications, Is
distinctly a. peace force. Is is an
arm of the police power to guaran-
tee order and the execution of the
law at home and security to our
citizens abroad. No self-respecting
nation would neglect to provide an
army and navy proportionate to its
population, the extent of it's terri
tory, and the dignity of the place
which it occupies in the world.
When it is considered that no navy
in the world, with one exception
approaches ours and none surpasses
it, that our regular army of about
115,0O0 men is the equal of any
ether like number of troops, that
our entire permanent and reserve
land and sea force trained and
training consists of personel OF
about $4,000 and that our annual
appropriations are about $3.50, ,00O,-
coo a year, expended under the di-
rection of an exceedingly competent
staff, it can not be said that our
country is neglecting it's national
defense 1t is true that cult OF
disparagement exists but that can
| did examination made by the con-
gress through its various commit
! tees has always treasured the coun-
| try and demonstrated that It is
maintaining the most adequate de-
fensiVe forces in these present years
that it has ever supported in time
Of peace
This general policy should be KEEP
in effect. Here and there temporary
changes may be made in personne
to meet requirements in other dlrec'
tions. Attention should be given tt
| submarines, cruisers, and air forces
Particular points may need strength
ening, but as a whole our milltar!
power is sufficient
The one weak place in the Who'll
line is our stills stupendous wa
debt. In any modern campaign th'
! dollars are the shock troops. WITT
a depleted treasury in the rear, NJ
army can maintain itself in the fielo
! A country loaded with debt is
country devoid of the first lne o
defense. Economy is the handmai'
Of preparedness. If we wish to b.
able to defend ourselves to the tul
extent of our power in the future
we shall discharge as soon as pos
sible the financial burden OF TN
last war. Otherwise we would rae
/ a crisis with a part Of our capita
resources already expended
The amount and kind of our mill
tary equipment is pre-eminently
question for the decision OF tn