The Washington herald., 1914-08-30


value Of the American colonies, which
are not even pacined. In view OF the
excellent fortincations 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 number of American seaports, all
OF which we cannot blockade at the
same time. our Meet has no means. to
force that opponent through successful
on our terms
Would Await Opportunity.
The possibility must be taken into
account that the feet of the United
States will at first not venture into bat
tie. but that II will withdraw into fort-
fed harbors. in order to walt for favor
able opportunity Of achieving minor sue.
cesses. 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 will be required.
Considering the great extent Of the Unit
ed States, the conqueror Of the country
by an army Of invasion Is not possible.
But there is every reason TO believe that
victorious enterprises on the AuAnnc
coast and the conquest OF the most I'M
portant arteries through which imports
and exports pass. will create such an
unbearable state Of AFFAIRS In the whole
country that the government VIII readily
offer acceptable conditions in. order to
obtain peace.
IF Germany begins preparing heet OF
transports and troops for landing pur-
poses at the moment when the battle neet
steans out of our harbors we may con-
clude that operations on American SOIL
can begin after about four weeks, and II
cannot be doubted that the United States
Will not be able to oppose to US within
that time an army equivalent TO our own
at present the regular army OF the
United States amounts to 5000 men, OF
whom about 5000 could be disposed Of
OF these at least 1000 are required for
watching the Indian territories and Tor
guarding the fortifications on the sea-
coast Therefore only about 1000 men OF
the regular army are ready for war. Be-
sides. about 100, 900 militia are in existence,
OF whom the larger part did not come up
when they were called out during the
last war. Lastly. the militia Is not en-
Gent, 1t is partly armed with muzzle-
leaders, and its training is worse than Its
armament.
"As an operation by surprise against
America is impossible, on account OF the
length of time during which the trans
ports are on the way, only the landing
can be effected by surprise. Neyerthe-
less. stress must be laid on the fact
that the rapidity of the invasion will con-
siderably facilitate victory against the
United States, owing to the absence 81
methodical preparation for mobilization
owing TO the inexperience Of the person
mel, and owing TO the weakness of the reg
ular army.
Considerable Force Required.
I'm order to occupy permanently
considerable part Of the United states
and TO protect our lines of operation SO
as to enable us to fight successfully
against all forces which that country In
the course Of time, can oppose to U.S.
considerable forces would be required.
such an operation would be greatly ham
pered by the fact that II would require
a second passage OF the transport fleet
in order TO ship the necessary troops
that long distance. However, II seems
questionable whether II would be ad-
vantaEeous TO occupy great stretch OF
the country for a considerable time. the
Americans will not feel inclined to in
clude peace because one or two provinces
are occupied by an army OF invasion, but
because of the enormous material losses
which the whole country Will suffer II
the Atlantic harbor towns, in which the
threads Of the whole prosperity Of the
United States are concentrated, are torn
away from them one after the other.
Therefore the IaSk OF inc lltcN "ouiN
be TO undertake q series of large landing
operations, through which We are aole
to take several Of these important ano
wealthy towns within a brief space OF
time By interrupting their communica-
lions. by destroying all buildings serving
the state, commerce and the defense by
taking away all material for war ana
transport, and, lastly. by levying heavy
contributions, We should be able 10 in
nict DANCE on the United States.
For such enterprises small military
force will sufice. Nevertheless, the
American defense will find 1t difficult to
undertake a successful enterprise against
that kind OF warfare. Though an eX-
tremeIy well-dC-Rloped railway system
enables them 20 concentrate troops with
In a short time on the different points
on the coast, the concentration of the
troops and the time which is lost until
II is recognized which OF the many
threatened points OF landing will really
be utilized will. as a rule. make II pos
sible for the army OF invasion to carry
out its operation with success under the
cooperation Of the feet at the point
chosen The corps landed can either take
the offensive against gathering hostile
forces or withdraw to the transports In
order to land at another place:
TT should be said that Germany is
the only great power which is able TO
tackle the United States single handed.
England could be victorious on sea, but
would not be able to protect Canada,
where the Americans could find cOnsola-
ton for their defeats on sea. OF the
other great powers none possesses feet
Of transport required for such an opera