Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-31

eve republish the following trans
lation of the memorandum entitled
"Operationen uber See," written by
General Won Edelsheim, of the Prus-
sian general staff
Operations against the United
States of North America would have
to be conducted In different manner
from those against England. During
the last years political friction with
that state, especially friction arising
from commercial causes, has not been
lacking. and the difficulties that have
arisen have mostly been settled by
our giving way. AS this obliging at
titude has its limits, we have to ask
ourselves what force we can possibly
bring to bear in order to meet the
attacks of the United States against
our interests and to impose our Will.
Our fleet probably will be able to de-
feat the naval forces of the United
States, which are distributed over TWO
oceans and over long distances. But
Ii would be a mistake to suppose that
the defeat of their feet will force the
United States with it's immense re-
sources into concluding peace.
I'm view of the small number OF
American merchantmen, in view OF
the small value of the American colo
MES, which are not even pacified, in
view of the excellent Notifications
with which the great American sea-
ports are provided and which cannot
be taken except with very heavy
losses and in view of the large num-
Der of American seaports, all OF Wnicn
we cannot blockade at the same time,
our fleet has no means to force that
opponent through successful maritime
operations to conclude a peace on our
terms.
sThe possibility must be taken into
account that the fleet of the United
States will at first not venture into
battle, but that it will withdraw into
fortified harbors, in order to wait for
a favorable opportunity of achieving
minor successes. Therefore, 1t is
clear that naval action alone will not
be decisive against the United States,
but that the combined action OF navy
and army Will be required. Consider
ing the great extent of the United
States the conquest of the country
by an army of invasion is not possible.
But there Is every reason to believe
that victorious enterprise on the At
lantic coast, and the conquest Of the
most important arteries through
which imports and exports pass, will
create such an unbearable state of
affairs In the whole country that the
government will readily offer accept
able conditions in order to obtain
peace.
"If Germany begins preparing
fleet of transports and troops Tor
landing purposes at the moment wnen
the battle fleet steams out of our har-
bors, we may conclude that opera
tons on American soil can begin af-
ter about four weeks, and 1T cannot
be doubted that the United States
will not be able to oppose to us with
in that time an army equivalent 10
our own.
"At present the regular army of the
United States amounts to $1,000 men,
of whom about 10000 could be dis
posed of. OF these, at least 10000 are
required for watching the indian ter
ritories and for guarding the fortifi-
cations on the sea coast Therefore,
only about 10000 men Of the regular
army are ready for war. Besides,
about 100000 militia are In existence,
of whom the larger part did not come
nm when they were called out dur
ing the last war Lastly. the militia
Is not efficient; 1t Is partly armed
with muzzle- leaders and ID training
is worse than it's armament.
"As an operation by surprise
against America, is impossible, on
account of the length of time during
which the transports are OF, the way.
only the landing can be erected Dy
surprise. Nevertheless, stress must
be laid on the fact that the rapidity
of the invasion will considerably Ia
cilitate victory against the United
states, owing to the absence of meth
odical preparation for mobilization,
owing to the inexperience of the per-
sonnet, and owing to the weakness
of the regular army.
''In order to occupy permanently
considerable part Of the United States
and to protect our lines of operation
so as to enable US TO fight success
fully against all forces which that
country, In the course of time, can
oppose to us, considerable forces
would be required. Such an opera
ton would be greatly hampered py
the fact that it would require a Sec