AMERICA AND DEFENCE

Shannon News, 8 April 1927, Page 4

AMERICA AND DEFENCE

THE GOSPEL OF OOOLIDGE. ADEQUATE PREPAREDNESS. SAN FRANCISCO, March 25. The middle ground of adequate preparedness, as between the militaristic attitude and extreme pacifism, was indicated by Prsident Coolidge aa the national protective policy, in an address at the" half-yearly meeting of the executive officers of the United States Government. The President linked the question of national protection —a question much debated recently in Congress, in connection with the naval building programme—with that of Federal finance. Reviewing the accomplishments of the Budget plan, he set forth what he described as the better plan of directing public moneys into channels of public welfare, rather than spending %hem on unproductive purposes. "The public debt has a direct connection with military preparedness," said the President- "This is to the extent to which overhead charges are reduced, for, by doing so, we are adding to our military preparedness. The' United States stands in probably the most fortunate financial position and it should refrain from any gesture which could possibly be construed as-militaristic.

"Militarism and extreme pacfism are equally dangerous to peace and prosperity. Preparedness is no gesture of offence, neither is it a gesture of weakness. Those in our country who advocate militarism, and those who beguile themselves wth a feeling ■of absolute safety, do not reflect our ■traditional attitude toward tllo nations."