El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-02
THINKS GERMANS
COULD WHIP j. s.
Member of Prussian General
Staff Has Queer Informa-
ton About .. S. Army.

New York. Sept Germany IN
vadinE the United states, seizing the
principal cities, holding the great rail-
ways until the country was starved out
this seems a flight of wild magma
ton to Americans Such Is just the
plan outlined by Gen Won Edelsheim in
a recent book He is no hare Drained
Pan-German either. but member OF
the Prussian general staff. Here is
his memorandum
Commercial Friction Frequent.
Operations against the United
States of North America would have
to be conducted in a different manner
from those against England During
last year political friction with that
state. especially friction arising from
commercial causes, has not been lack
ing and the difficulties that have arisen
have mostly been settled by our giving
way. AS this obligins attitude has its
limits we have 10 ask ourselves what
order to meet the attacks OF the
United States against our interests and
to impose our will Our fleet viii
probably be able TO defeat the naval
forces Of the United States. which are
distributed over two oceans and Over
long distances But 1t would be a mis-
take 10 suppose that the defeat OF their
fleet viii force the United States with
its immense resources into concluding
peace
"In view Of the small number OF
American merchantmen, in view of the
small value of the American colonies,
which are not even paclued, IN view
Of the excellent Qualifications with
which the great American seapOrtS are
provided. and which cannot be taken
except with very heavy losses, and IN
view Of the large number OF American
seaports. all OF which we cannot block
ade at the same time. our fleet has no
IAN O.
successful maritime operations TO con-
clude a peace on our teams
The possibility must be taken into
account that the fleet Of the United
States will at first not venture into
battle. but that il will withdraw into
fortified harbors. in order 10 wait for a
favorable opportunity Of achieving MI
nor successes. Therefore il is clear that
naval action alone will not be decisive
against the United States, but that the
combined action Of navy and army viii
be required Considering the great eN-
tent Of the United states. the conquest
Of the country by an army Of INVASION
is not possible But there is every rea-
son 10 believe that victorious enter
prizes on the Atlantic coast and the
conquest Of the most important arteries
through which Imports and exports
pass, will create such an unbearaole
state OF affairs in the whole country
that the government VIII reaclly oILeI
acceptable conditions in order to obtain
peace
eff Germany begins preparing a fleet
Of transports and troops for landing
purposes at the moment when the
battle fleet steams out OF our harbors
we may conclude that operations on
American soil can begin after about
four weeks. and Il cannot be doubted
that the United States viii not be able
to oppose 10 US within that time an
army equivalent TO our own
Tnderestimates American Force
eat present the regular army OF the
United States amounts 10 5000 men,
OF whom about so 900 could be dis
posed Of. Of these at least 10000 are
for watching the indian terri
tories and for guarding the fortified
lions on the seacoasr Therefore only
about 5000 men Of the regular army
are ready for war. Besides, about loo,-
600 militia are in existence. Of whom
the larger part did not come M when
thew We're called out during the last
war. Lastly, the militia is not efficient !
il is partly armed with muzzle load
ers and its training is worse than IL ]
armament
"As an operation by surprise against
America is impossible, on account or !
the length OF time during which the I
transports are on the way. only the 4
landing can be effected by surprise /
stress must be laid on l
the fact that the rapidly Of the IN I
VasiOn will considerably facilitate VIC I
tory against the United States, owing /
10 the absence OF methOdical prepa- l