UNPREPARED. UNITED STATES AND WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 47, 25 February 1908, Page 7

UNPREPARED. UNITED STATES AND WAR.

Pessimistic. DEFENCES -SLOWLY IMPROVING. By Telegraph.— Prees Association.— Copyright. NEW YORK, 24th February. On the occasion of the anniversary of George Washington's birthday, Mr. Taft, Under-Secrotary for War, and a probable candidate for the Presidency, speaking at Buffalo, emphasised America's unpreparedness for war. "We are making our navy more respectable yearly," he declared, "and we aro hopeful that Congress will make the army proper the nucleus of rapid deferce, and make it into a force commensurato with our population and the jurisdiction we territorially exercise." He added that coast defences and basej at Hawaii, in the Philippine:., and tho protection of the Isthmian Cs.nal v. ore still incomplete, and in the event o£ T/ar delay would justify the severest condemnation. The defences of United States were, however, slowly improving, and if war is averted for a decado tho country will be in a better condition than ever before. General Frederick Grant, speaking at Now York, dwelt on America's unpreparedness, ard declared that in the event of a conflict with Japan, the United States would -.ted a million troups to garrison the Pacific Coast, and another million tha Atlantic, while if a great Power overwhelmed the navy, only a siege could expel 50,000 of the enemy if they landed at Montauk Point (the eastern end of Long Island, at the approach to New York harbour).