Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-26

Il
Of another. L. M. q.
(To be continued.)
PREPARATION FOR WAR
Army and Navy Journal Would Put
Men in Training.
Asserting that this country Is fast
drifting toward war, the Army and
Navy Journal in an editorial urges
President Wilson to mobilize at once
200, 900 volunteers. The purpose, the
editorial says, is not to make war, but
to avoid war by preserving the neu-
trality and maintaining this country's
honor and dignity.
Placing a million volunteers under
training" the editorial continues,
would amount to a declaration that
the United States is preparing to insist
upon it's rights and resist aggression.
It would be a measure Of peace, as 1t
might possibly avert the war toward
which we are now fast drifting, as
every student Of military history must
see. and it would at least partially
prepare US to meet the shock of war II
war must come. 1t would also go far
to solve the problem Of unemployed
labor with which we are contending.
It is pointed out that If volunteers
respond "the most vigorous policy on
the part Of the war department could
not prepare them for service in the
field within less than year. To send
them to battle earlier would be a repe-
tition of the blunder Of the first bat
ties of all this country's wars thus
far. The editorial says that without
adequate training volunteer army
would be as helpless in defending the
nation against an attack as were the
citizen soldiers in defending the CAPT.
tai against the attack Of the British
regulars in the war Of 1872"
1t Is argued that the mobilization
could not be construed as hostile
demonstration against any nation, but
would be preparation for future de-
velopments in the worldwide war,
just as Switzerland, Holland and Italy
have mobilized their troops.
THE armies of Italy, Switzerland
and Holland are ready for war at
moments notice." says the editorial,
while a volunteer army that would
be called out by the president would
be composed Of recruits In training
for future service. This country would
be only taking steps for the creation
Of any army Of defence which should
| have been taken years ago. Further
delay in preparing some measure OF
defence may be fatal to u.s.
"The necessity for calling out a
\ volunteer army is made more urgent
| because Of the peace at any price
policy which Is being preached so
vociferously from the housetops with
the tacit, If not with the open, APPROX
al of those in authority. Foreign ma
tions not only realize that we are not
prepared to defend ourselves but are
under the impression that we never
| will be. On this account neither Ger
many nor Great Britain Is giving any
serious consideration to the protests
Of the state department except In
words, and Japan is going ahead with
| it's plans for the domination OF China
and the Pacific ocean without consid-
ering the wishes Of the interests OF
this country.
This Is omnious Of war, for In the
end the belligerent intincts Of this
country, which are only lying dor
mant, will be aroused by a realization
that our people have been misled by
the false theories Of the peace fana-
tics. Have those in authority forgot
ten how often the firing upon Fort
Sumter in 1861, and again after the
sinking Of the Maine in 1898, war
came like a flash out Of clear sky?
He who rightly reads the signs OF
the heavens can see the war clouds
once more gathering"
The editorial says that 1t Is about
| time this country showed her teeth,
even though none Of the nations at
|
in war with the United States. Every
step in the diplomatic controversy be-
tween Germany and the allies" 1t
adds, emphasizes the unpreparedness
Of this nation to defend itself against
aggression"
After expressing belief that the call
ing out Of volunteers would be the
quickest and most practical way OF
solving the question Of national de-
fence the editorial says: 1T would
determine whether it is safe for the
nation to depend upon the volunteer
system to develop an adequate land
force. It would be too late to at
tempt to raise a large force Of volun-
teers after we have been attacked"
The editorial then says: III this
nation could keep a million volunteers
under arms for limited period,
foundation would be laid for an ade-
uuate land force We do not overlook
the necessity for strengthening our
first line of defence, the navy, but
| that Is a subject lot separate cohSiu
Grafton" In conclusion, the editorial
says:
THE politics Of the matter does not,
of course, concern us. But an admins
tration that would act on this advice
would secure the approval Of the
country, which is always quick to re-
spond to bold action. Timid counsels
never win applause except from those
who are past the fighting age or who
are in the snug enjoyment Of pros
perity shared by only minority OF
their fellows"
The "Jitney" lnvasion.-All that Is
required to be a transportation mag
nate now is to own a Ford car In