Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-10-12
It is Only a Scare.

cial impressions for him to form just
and accurate opinions. For some days
past the Globe-Democrat's Berlin let
ters have been rich in suggestions OF
forthcoming war between the United
States and Germany. Moreover, this
correspondence has stated broadly the
alleged hatred Of the rank and file OF the
German army for the people OF the
| United States, and their unconcealed
| anxiety to measure arms with United
States troops. Again, the kaiser is rep
| resented as suddenly giving up his Holy
Land trip and Fastening back to his pal
ace to confer in the closest secrecy with
the anxious members Of his cabinet. Tha
| entire German atmosphere appears to
| be charged with war, rumors of wal and
martial connections, and the worthy
correspondent of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat straightway works himself
up into a high state Of excitement and
scatters his shredded nerve hbres
through the columns of his paper "un-
til you can't rest"
| This representative. superimaginative
| correspondent would do well to re-
tire to Ems and test the tonic properties
of the waters there, or join his erratic
majesty in the pilgrimage through tha
Holy Land. The dispatches of the Assoc
ciated Press contradict the peace frac-
turing prophecies of the Globe-DemoS
crat writer, and the contrast suggests
that such dire predictions may have
been born of a high state of beer. Ger
many has nothing to gain by going to
war with the United States; 1t would
in fact be the most foolish and damag-
ing thing the German government could
do. Such a war would be almost en-
tirely a naval affair, wherein the United
States would prove superior. 1t is true,
the size of the two navies are approx
mately equal; but the American ships,
their equipment, gunnery and esprit
du corps are much superior to the
German. The German vessels are
ancient as compared with Uncle
SANS, and for rapidtty of ma
neuvering, quickness to take advan-
sage of situations, general seamanship
and accuracy of work In combat. the
German navy is far behind the Ameri-
can. There is not, in the opinions Of ex-
oerts, a battleship In the world to COM
pare with the Oregon; and the Indiana,
the Iowa and the Massachusetts are but
4 little distance behind her, while the
/ approaching completion Of the Illinois
the k~earsarge and the Alabama, to sa!
nothing of the three additional battle
ships for which contracts have just beer
ct, give the United States navy a pres
tige that makes this government easil!
one Of the great naval powers of the
earth. Dewey or Schley might not make
rs short work of a German fleet as they
lid of the fleets Of Montijo and Cervera
Ind a sea fight between the two powers
might be bloody and prolonged; but II
would end in the destruction Of the Ger.
man fleet, as sure as the sun shines.
;, Germany has a magnificent army, ant
has her staff administration so admiral
bly, perfected that great masses O.
troops can be moved successfully Ions
distances at very short notice.; but !
. would be too perilous a performance t.
attempt to transport any of her troops
20 American soil. 1t takes time to cros'
, The ocean, and when the American mint
s once stirred, 1t is quick to devise ant
r 1uick to act, and that a successful and
'ng could be accomplished admits o
ioubt. And then, the experience Of tn
y, last war has proven of inestimable valu'
TO the American government in h wa.
If army administration. Probably tn
most that the German army could d.
would be to guard the French border 70
fear of an attempt by France to rescu
Alsace and Lorraine from German con
, troll and restore the former geographical
lines Of those provinces. Moreover, tn
: German-American element in this coun
try would take an active part in an.
land conflict, If such a phase of the wa
were possible, and one feature of tn
American civil wal would be re-enacted
that of brother fighting against brother
father against son, friend against friend
. for the family ties between the German
in this country and those in the oil
: country are too close for separation 70
generations to come. However, Will
there are no probabilities of the Germa
army invading American soil. 1t will d
we'll for American military authorize
, to make Of the present situation jus
and profitable occasion for examinini
with more care Germany's system o
military administration. Their staff
the outcome of years Of study and ex
: pertinent, is particularly worthy o
American examination and p%atterning
and that the American staff needs
without a doubt by the experiences o
the ate war. The German infantr
numbers 396, 504 officers and men; tn
cavalry arm, $3.50; the artillery arm
= S4,794, and the engineers. IS, ZIP. a gran
, total of 5S5, $50 officers and men. Thes
, are all regulars. and by calling out tn
reserves, this force can be increased t
!, 1000, 900 men. The American regula
: army has but 6 1000 men, increased fror
;. $4,000 when the war with Spain opened
/, and, with the volunteers now in service
\ can hardly have over IFS, 900 men. TIL
entire German army Of nearly 600, 900
drilled so thai each branch of the serv
ice acts as one man under command;
is hardly probable that any other arm
u in Europe will be able to compare wit
it. 1t is to be hoped that the experience