The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-11-25
INVASION OF ENGLAND
Lord Roberts Points Out How
Germany Could Land Troops.


Evade the British Fleet After Dis
tracing Attention by Small Raids.
AnArmyof 100000 Men Needed, He
Says, For Home Defense-Lord Rob-
erts' Resolution For Immediate De-
fense Adopted by the Lords.
London Nov. "a. - Field Marshal
Lord Roberts in studied speech in
the house of lords pointed out the
comparative ease with which Germany
could land an army on the shores of
England. Under the present condi-
tions England would be forced, he
said, to submit to most humiliating de-
mands.
He disclaimed all hostility to or fear
Of Germany, but he declared that the
defense of the islands required imme-
diate attention. There should be an
army so strong in numbers and eff
cheney that the most formidable of for.
eign nations would hesitate to make
a landing in England.
He had ascertained, the speaker
continued, that vessels capable of ac-
commodating 100000 men always
were available in the northern ports
Of Germany and that as a result of
the new German law 100000 men
could be collected in the districts Of
the nearest port without any trouble.
The great German steamship lines
were in constant practice in embark
ing and disembarking, and as the rail
roads were owned by the state all pre-
liminaries, up to the actual dispatch
of troops, could be carried out with
the utmost secrecy.
Could Evade British Fleet.
Germany was perfectly aware, the
field marshal went on, that it would
be essential for her transports to
evade the British fleet and she could
easily distract attention by small raids
while the main Decentralization was
proceeding undisturbed.
at would he folly" declared Lord
Roberts, "to shut our eyes to these
possibilities, however much peace Is
desired. The startling events in the
Near East have brought home to the
most careless observer that nothing
could save that country which is not
prepared to protect itself If Great
Britain continues to neglect the most
ordinary precautions, she may some
day find herself in the hands Of the
invader and forced to submit to the
most humiliating conditions.
"This danger is daily becoming
more threatening. Within a decade
| Germany has created the greatest sea
power that ever existed, except Great
Britain's, and at the present moment
| 1t Is formidable. Measures are being
| taken to increase that power. It rs
calculated that there are 10000 Ger
mans in employment in Great Britain.
They are trained soldiers and If Ger
man force once landed on these shores
they would be ready to help"
Large Home Army Needed.
Lord Roberts contended it was not
absolutely essential for a nation to
command the sea in order to carry out
an invasion. A temporary local com.
mand would suffice and this was per-
fectly understand In Germany. The
main temptation to the invasion OF
Great Britain was the want Of a home
army which ought to consist of a mil
lion men.
Across the narrow sea were 60,000,-
900 Germans who by perseverance,
industry. sound education and military
training had made themselves a great
nation. They required outlets for
their commerce and population. It
was Great Britain's business, contin-
ued Lord Roberts, to find out in what
sea power was likely to affect her and
to adopt measures necessary for her
own defense.
The navy under present conditions
was fettered in home waters and with
out military force sufficient to render
an invasion hopeless. Great BrltalnS
military weakness would in all prob
ability be the cause of the loss OF her
naval supremacy.
Lord Roberts speech caused a SEN
sation in the house. The Earl OF
Crewe remarked on the seriousness of
such statements in the present high
strung condition OF Europe's nerves,
saying he feared there might be re-
grettable consequences.
Lord Roberts resolution to the ef-
feet "that the islands defense necessi-
tates the immediate attention OF the
government to make provision for
such strong and efficient army that
the most formidable foreign nation
will hesitate before making an at
tempt at landing" was adopted by
vote of "A to 80.