Evening star., 1933-05-17

sentiments Of every American President
from George Washington to Franklin
Roosevelt.
As to the possibility Of an army in
fluencing us toward conflict, 1t Is to
be remembered that the War Depart-
ment does not and cannot have any
voice in the formulation OF foreign pol
icies that might lead to international
difdculty. Neither do they have any
thing to do with any declaration Of
war. That is the exclusive function Of
Congress. Moreover with the posi-
BILE exception of the Mexican War.
this country has never engaged in
armed conflict except in answer to the
insistent demand Of public opinion. The
sole job Of the Army has been to pre-
ality Of war and, in those instances
when war has been thrust upon us, to
regain an honorable peace as quickly
as practicable.
military expenditures constitute an
other subject concerning which there
exists as astonishing degree of miscon-
ception. In considering the total cost
of the War Department we often lose
sight of the fact that not all Of its
expenditures are for military purposes.
For the fiscal year in which we are
now operating, $500, 900 was appro-
oriated for military purposes, and $118,-
600, 900 for the military purposes OF
the War Department. The sum Of
these constitutes 81 per cent of the
complete Federal budget for the year,
but the military item alone involves
only little over per cent. A similar
percentage of governmental appropria-
tions went for the support of the Navy
Hence the Government in this fiscal
year is devoting less than 13 per cent
of its total budget to provide for ma
tional defense.
So the statement which I made q
few minutes ago about two-thirds of
going to pay for past and future wars
is misleading. 1t includes pensions,
veterans administration and interest
and sinking funds en- debts incurred
in past wars. All these items are prop
erly chargeable to the theoretical cost
of war. but they have nothing to do
with the insurance We are paying to
avoid future conflict. In fact, going
ON the reasonable assumption that
somewhat better preparation would
have prevented certain Of our wars, or
at least have reduced their cost i'm
measurably, much of our present out
lay Is directly chargeable to our own
mistakes in the past.
During this period Of depression the
administration is putting forth every
effort to effect badly needed reductions
in governmental expenditures. In the
War Department we are endeavoring to
economic in every possible direction.
Won't Bear Analysis.
I have heard the statement made
that the cost of our Army should be
reduced to what it was in 1914. That
is another generalization that will not
bear analysis. In 1914 we had an Army
aggregating about 100000 men, and
costing Sll3,000,00O per year: and when
We got into the war we found that We
had to rebuild and reorganize it from
the bottom UP in order to make it an
efficient fighting machine. Indeed, the
lessons Of the war taught us to build
the more effective military organization
which we now have. Today, we have a
Regular Army of about 100000. count
ing the Philippine Scouts. and this year
We are spending somewhat less than
$500 ,00000 on it. But included in this
amount are large sums to support es-
sential organizations and activities that