Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-19
U. 5. STRATEGISTS
STUDY CAMPAIGNS
OF EUROPEAN WAR
General Staff Follows Bat
ties With View of Increas-
ing Efficiency Of American
Fighting facilities.

WASHINGTON, sept. ls-The Ameri-
can General staff, as the strategy board of
the War Department Is called, Is watch
ing the European war with much inter-
est, expecting that the great clash of
arms will teach 1t many valuable les
sons.
Does the situation call for any plans
for the national defense?" an Official Of
the War Department was asked today.
mot at ALL was the reply; nor will
IL do 81 unlesa. as lie very unlikely. there
should seem to be some prospect Of the
United States being drawn into the con-
flict"
The theory of the American Govern
ment is that It will not be involved In
the struggle. and that there is nothing In
the situation making II necessary for
II to do more than maintain neutral
position, with a view, after the fighting
shall have gone to certain lengths, again
to offer it's services as mediator. and
thus help bring about general peace.
That the Wilson Administration VIII
renew the offer of its services in the
direction just mentioned, as soon as
there Is an opportunity, Is conceded
here Indeed. the United States is the
only one of the great Governments of
the world which will be in position to
take such step when the offer is
renewed and accepted, 1t is believed
that the representatives of the nations
now at wnr will meet in this country
to draw up a treaty of peace. just as
the representatives of Russia and Japan
met here. at the suggestion of Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt, 10 bring about
the official end of the war between those
Powers in the Far East. Thus. twice
within a decade will the United states
have been the agency through which
war was halted
SAFE FROM INVASION
Even If the unexpected should happen
and the United States be drawn into the
pres, mt conflict, it's policy of national de-
fense would be exceedingly simple No
nation or combination of nations that
might confront 1t in an emergency oil
that kind would be able TO Invade the
territory of the United States proper.
The United States. with 5000 miles of salt
water between it and Europe on one side,
and between 5000 and 1000 miles OF salt
water between IL and the east coast of
Asia OH the other side, is safe from IN
vasion
American military strategists. therefore,
have always figured that If the United
States were to engage in war with any
of the great Powers of the world, II
would hc almost exclusively a naval war.
That is the reason for the insstence OF
all recent administrations on liberal
naval program on the part OF Congress.
If the navy can he maintained on any
thing like proper footing, no foreign
troops will ever tread the soil of the
United States.
But were there no preliminary plans
at th- time of the war with Spain"
gentleman close to the Administration
was asked.
None whatever" he replied. The
United states probably had known for
q number of years that ultimately 1t
would be necessary for 1t to intervene in
not single preliminary plan was made,
and the declaration of war found us ut
terly unprepared It was quite by ac-
cdent that there was Spanish fleet at
Manila, and 1t was quite as accidental
that another one reached western Atlantic
waters in time to give renown to the
names of Sampson and Schley."
But we had some plans looking to pos
sible intervention in Mexico. did we not?"
Yes. There are maps in the War De-
partment, showing in minute detail the
topography of all those parts of Mexico
which have been explored. These maps
were made a good many years ago, and
they were revised at the time of the
downfall of Diaz. II It should he neCes-
sary for the United States at any time
to enter Mexico, its troops would know
in advance all about the roads the rail-
roads. the mountain passes, the streams
of water, the means of subsistence, aud
all other information which an invading
army must have II its work Is to he done
to best advantage"
EUROPE CARD INDEXED,
"How is the American War Department
prohting by the war In Europe?"
by a system which I can best describe
to YOU by comparing it 10 a modern
card index, An elaborate card index is
worthless unless it is kept up to date,
and 1t is usually one PERSONS task TO
look 1t over daily, putting in new mater
ial and taking out the old,
1T is in this way that the American
General staff is taking advantage of the
war in Europe 1t may be that the great
land fights will demonstrate that there is
not a proper balance in modern armies
between the infantry and the cavalry,
and that a larger body of the latter Is
necessary. II that is the lesson Of the
war, the United States will promptly re-
cruit additional cavalry regiments. 1t
may be that the naval engagements will
throw important light on submarines, de-
stroyers and similar craft In which event
the American naval construction plans
will be altered so as In give the Govern
men: the benefit Of the lesson taught,
Similarly with aircraft Of various
kinds. II is confidently expected that the
war will determine not only the place hut
the importance of driGibles and aero
planes. Perhaps many existing theories
with respect to these new auNiliaries Will
he upset I'm the actual clash Of war, and
If so the United States will take notice.
and will change its plans To correspond
to what will have been determined to be
the best practice.