AMERICA UNPREPARED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6452, 25 February 1908, Page 5

AMERICA UNPREPARED

IN EVENT OF WAE CONGRESS EXPECTED TO MAKE PROVISION. COAST DEFENCES INADEQUATE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 25, 0.37 a.in.) NEW YORK, February 24. On tho occasion of tho anniversary of Washinston’s birthday, Mr Taft, ’speaking at Buffalo, emphasised America’s unpreparedness for war. “We are making our navy more respectable yearly,” ho declared, 11 and wo arc hopeful that Congress will’ make tho army proper tho nucleus of irapid defence, and make it into a force commensurate with our population and the jurisdiction we territorially exercise.” He added that coast defences and bases at Hawaii, in the Philippines,, and the protection of the Isthmian Canal wore still incomplete, and in the event of war delay would justify tho severest condemnation. The defences of tho United States were, however, slowly improving, and if war is averted for a decade tho country will bo in a better condition than ever before.

General Frederick Grant, speaking :at New York, dwelt on America's unproparodness, and declared that in the event of a conflict with Japan, the United States would need a million troops to garrison the Pacific Coast, and another million the Atlantic, while if a great Power overwhelmed the navy, only a siege could expel 50,000 of the enemy if they landed at Moutauk Point (the eastern end of Long Island, at the approach to New York harbour).

Georg© Washington was born m Westmoreland County. Virginia, on ’February 22nd 1732, and alter taking a. leading part in the wars of the revolution was elected first President of the United States in February, 1759. Ho died on December 14 th, 1799.