Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-10-02
OPERATIONS over the SEA-"
vicksburg Iierald)

The publication OF recent article
by Gen. Van Edelsheim, of the Gen.
eral German Staff, fairly illustrates
the nature and aims of what is com
monty called German militarism. 1t
presumably, forecasts what was to fol-
low the imposition of German heg-
emory upon Europe. The General 8
premise is that the Germans have
to ask themselves what force they
can bring to bear in order to meet
the attacks of the United States
against their interests, and to i'm
pose their will" He says: Our
feet will probably be able to defeat
the naval forces of the United States
which are distributed over two
oceans and over long distances. But
he admits that operations on land
would also be necessary and he es-
Inmates that four weeks after the
battle feet leaves German harbors
German operations on American soil
could begin" Among other things
he says:
Considering 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 enterprises OH the Atlantic coast
and the conquest of the most important
arteries through which imports and ex-
ports pass, will create such an unbearable
state OF affairs in the whole country that
the government will readily offer accept
able conditions i'm order to obtain peace.
The Americans will not feel inclined to
conclude peace because one or two prov
inces are occupied by an army OF invasion
but because of the enormous material loss
which the whole country will suffer il the
Atlantic harbor towns in which the thread
Of the whole prosperity Of the United
States are concentrated, are torn away
from them one after the other.
Therefore, the task of the fleet would
be to undertake series of large landing
operations, through which we are able
to take several OF these important and
wealthy towns within briefspace OF time
BY interrupting their communications, by
destroying all buildings serving the state,
commerce, and the defense, by taking
away all material for war and transport
and lastly by levying heavy contributions
we would be able to infiict damage on the
United States.
The quotation from the Edelsheim
plan Of operations over sea" con-
cludes with an utterly contemplate
estimate Of American military prep
aration and resources. Offensive as
this speculative discussion is coming
from the military council board Of
a friendly nation, preposterous and
grotesque as serious view of posi-
bilities or purposes of policy con-
corning the American people it must |
be accepted as a lodger in the brain |
pan of German militarism. This is |
compelled, coming from the German
Staff, which is nothing if not serious
With Great Britain, France and Bel
GUM disposed of, operations over
the sea" were to have followed as out
lined; with the Hun at the gate,"
this cuntry was to be thumbscrewed
in the way OF burnings and ravages
Of our sea coast cities, and lastly by |
levying heavy contributions" until
our government offered acceptable
conditions Of peace. What has been
done to the Belgains tells what this J
means. Under the revelation of such |
a fash Of light of the militarists who
are all powerful for Germany, what
American can withhold his sympa-
thy, and his prayers, for the success
of the allies?