Evening star., 1926-11-11


cherishes no imperialistic designs.
has no vision of increased territory,
the President stated, however, that
we must maintain a military estab-
lishment adequate fot car natlonai
defense.
1--WE realize thoroughly" he said in
this connection, "that no one will
protect US unless we protect our
selves. Domestic peace and interna-
tional security are among the first
objects to be sought by government.
Without order under the protection
of law there could be no liberty" he
contends.
Rights Will Be Maintained.
While the President described the
national defense of this country as
| menace to no one except the evil
doer, he declared that our Army and
Navy and air services are q notice to
everybody that the authority of this
Government will be maintained and
that we recognize that 1t is the first
duty of Americans to look after
Americans and maintain the suprem-
acy of American rights.
ITO invite any other policy" he
added, would be to invite disorder
and aggression which must either be
borne with humiliating submission or
result in a declaration of war"
The President then recalled that
during the last six years more than
OO.O00,0 900 has been appropriated
for the support of our national de-
fense. He also took occasion to speak
with pride Of the efficiency of the
military establishment, saying, Taken
as q whole there is no better Navy
in the world" and that while our
Army is not so large as that of some
other countries it is not outmatched
by any other like number of troops.
He lauded also. the Air Service Of the
Army and Navy, saying that 1t is a
mistake to suppose that this country
is tagging behind in this modern art,
adding that both in the excellence
and speed of its planes 1t holds high
records, while in number of miles
covered in commercial and postal
aviation it exceeds that of any other
nation.
Against Competitive Arming.
The Presidents reference to ma.
tionai defense was made, he explained,
entirely for the purpose of measure
ment and not for comparison. He
wanted 1t clearly understood that this
Government stands thoroughly com
mitted to the policy of avoiding COM
petition in armamentS. He stated
that the United States does not wish
to enter into competition with any
other country in the maintenance of
land and sea forces, because, in his
opinion, such q course is always pro
ductive of suspicion and distrust,
which, he reminded his auditors, re-
suits in !nf1icting upon the people an
unnecessary burden Of expense and
when carried to its logical conclusion
ends in armed conflict.
At this point he referred to our
treaties with the great powers elini.
mating TO large degree competition
in naval armaments, and mentioned
that this Government is now engaged
in negotiations to broaden ana extend
what he referred to as this humane,
enlightened policy, and said we are
willing to make reasonable sacrifices
10 secure it's further adoption.
In considering the problem OF ma
tional defense the President doubted
II in the present circumstances of our
country the subject of economy and
the reduction of the war debt has ever
been given sufficient prominence.
!. Three elements are necessary, he said,
for the conduct of military operations
either by land or sea. These. ac-
cording to him, are personnel supplies
ana money.
Cost of War Recalled.
To give some idea of how great was
the cost of the last war, the Presiden+
said this country borrowed in excess
of $26, 900, coo 900, and although this
has been reduced to about $40 900 ,0O0.-
900. it will take a long time to wipe
out this Indebtedness. In his opinion.
until this obligation is discharged it
is the one insuperable obstacle to tho
possibility of developing the full ma
tional strength OF this Nation. Every
time Il Liberty bond is retired by the
Government preparedness Is ad-
Varred," he said.
Before turning from the subject of
national defense the President re-
iterated his belief n a national con
scription of the entire wealth Of the
Nation us well as its man power IN
another time of national peril. In
this connection he contended that
the Government should he clothed
with authority to call into its service
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