The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-05

April s, 1894 holds a double sig
.nificance for every member OF the
Veterans of Foreign wars of the
United States. It marks the seven
teenth anniversary of the date OF
the official beginning of Americas
participation in the World was and
seventh annual observance OF Army
day.
The Veterans of Foreign wars Of
the United States is thoroughly in
accord with the spirit and pur-
poses of Army day and the cause
that it seeks to commemorate. We
feel that this day is day that Is
properly set aside as an Ocosion OF
special tribute to the United States
army, and the part that this branch
of the service has played in the
historical development of the Uni
ted States as a free and independ-
ent nation.
Public MisIed
Unfortunately, in times of peace,
the public as a whole Is inclined
to overlook and underestimate the
value of the services rendered by
those who are devoting their entire
lives to a career in the United
States army. In times of peace,
the army of the United States has
many important functions to per-
form. These do not deal merely
with the esta blishment Of a. nu-
cleus for a national army in the
event Of an emergency. 1t was the
army that did the pioneering that
has given. us our vast systems OF
Transportation; communication and
arcnautics that we have today
The development of our rivers and
harbors, under the supervision OF
the engineering corps of the United
States army, is an outstanding ex-
ample of the practical achieve
ments of our peace time standing
army. without this service the
progress Of the nation In these
fields would have been seriously re-
tarded. In these fields in particu-
lar, the army has paved the way
for private enterprises and America
as a whole has benefited as q re-
suit. :,
Upon the efficiency and high
standards of our peace time army
Is based the success of our armies
in time of war. We can look for
ward to continued victories on the
battlefield, in the event OF an en-
Urgency, as long as we are willing
to maintain an adequate and well
trained nucleus in time of peace.
This nucleus forms the backbone
Of our military forces when a crisis
calls the man power Of the nation
to the colors.
war Period Looms
There was never a period in the
history of the world when the
threat of war, and the danger OIL
international conflict, was more
serious that at the present time,
America is nearly surrounded by
foreign powers that are Jealous OF
it's supremacy and envious OF US
economic wealth. Our geographi-
cal isolation has merely served 70
cement our potential Toes still
closer together. Revolutions and
unrest have made their appearance
in all corners of the world, and
only a few Of the minor powers
have completely escaped the strife
of political upheaya1. Europe II
still potential keg of dynamite
with the fuse of dissention steadily
sputtering toward an explosion.
America can only hope to main
tain strict neutrality through an
adequate national defense and 9
military force that Is second e
none. No nation vii lattempt to
violate our neutrality, or interiors
with our isolation, IL 1t has to run
the risk or invite the wrath OF Q
powerful American military force
In demanding an adequate ma
Itional defense, the Veterans of For
eign wars Of the United States has
a. very clear and well defined OBJ
jectivc in view. We favor q regular
army composed OF ct least ons
hundred and sixty-five thousand
enlisted men under the supervision