There are many who think that the proper reply to the sinking of the
_Lusitania_ and the taking of American lives without warning would have
been the calling of Congress in extra session and the appropriation of a
billion dollars or more for increasing the American army and navy and
coast defenses. They argue that this would not have been a measure of
war, but on the contrary a measure of peace, as it would have shown that
this country meant to protect its citizens and that no nation would ever
venture to attack us if they saw that we meant to be prepared. The
military authorities say that it will take us several years to place
ourselves in a condition to fight any one of the first-class European
powers with any prospect of success. Orville Wright says that we need
two thousand æroplanes which might be built in a year, and Mr. Lake says
we need at least a hundred and fifty submarines, which might be built
within two years, and a goodly proportion of them in one year. If we
need to prepare for defense, and the preparation takes so long, the
sooner we begin the better. As actions speak louder than words,
President Wilson’s action in calling Congress together would have
conveyed a distinct impression of our resolution to protect our
nationals and our national interests, as well against Great Britain as
against Germany, which no “note” can convey, especially when the force
of the note is undermined by a cabinet officer with the secret assurance
to the ambassador of a foreign power that the note was merely for home
consumption! Fortunately, however, for the credit of President Wilson’s
administration, his cabinet is now purged of such secret folly and
treachery.