this? It is seen that Americans of all times too great to be charged with selfish interests, men who have themselves had opportunity to secure correct knowledge of the facts, are in accordance with the military authorities in the essentials of their requests and suggestions. CON CHAPTER XIV CONCLUSIONS ONSIDERING the foregoing facts, we conclude: 1. That an Army and Navy is not a burden during peace, but if properly maintained is but a paying business proposition. 2. That there is no cheaper substitute for trained military force. 3. That at the present time the United States is as likely as any other great power to be involved in war. 4. That, desirable as universal peace may be, there is no immediate prospect of such condition either through arbitration, disarmament, limited armament, financial or economic pressure, or otherwise. 5. That the European war offers no sound ground for belief that armaments will be reduced, owing either to German or allied success. 6. That the cost of war in lives, misery, and money has been exaggerated. 7. That there are many compensations for the "horrors" of war, and that much in excess of that lost has been gained in many wars. 8. That the character of the soldier and sailor is as good as any other class of men in corresponding stations of life. 9. That military force is not opposed to the interests of the common people." 10. That our past wars show an urgent need for a definite military policy in the United States. 11. That the recommendations of the General Staff of the Army, and the General Board of the Navy are reasonable and wise. 12. That the men concurring in the ten previous conclusions are of a character which prohibits the charge of ignorance, or of self-interest, being made against them. It is in view of these conclusions that we firmly believe and maintain: That, while the United States should do all in its power to encourage peace among nations, avoid unnecessary wars, and assist in the education of the human race to a point that may, in the distant future, bring about the changes that will make possible universal peace, nevertheless, it is vitally important that the Government should take immediate steps to carry out the recommendations of the General Staff, United States Army, in regard to the land forces, and of the General Board, United States Navy, in regard to the naval forces of the United States. INDEX Adams, John, on national de- fense, 201. Angell, Norman, economic view Anti-militarists, and cause of Arms, character of modern Army, achievements at Panama, 112; medical corps, 112; ar- to saloon, 128, 129; temper- peace, 3-23; annual expense 203, 204. Army and Navy Journal, The, quoted, 44, 47, 127, 130. 1914, 107; standing army, Battlefield, behavior of troops Battleship, work done aboard, 191; see Dreadnaught. 13, 32, 33, 35, 153. ness of militia, 150, 151. tary expense, 8, 10; on the Christian Work and Evangelist, The, quoted, 126. Civil War, the, cost of military 105; cost in money, 104, 105; Coast artillery, needed, 165; 180. "Common people" and military war, 140, 141. Confectionary and soft drinks, plans for a modern, 173, 174. |