The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-09-23

meeting was held in the council room. Mr.
Jencks is lawyer by profession and he pre-
sented his case with clearness and precision,
was evident that he had made careful study
of his subject-the unpreparedness of the
country for defence there was no assumption
of superior knowledge. no egoism, and it was
a pleasure to listen to him. While the public
generally-at least those who read the news
our army and navy today, Mr.. Jencks stated
our needs in way that brought it more forci-
bly, to the minds of his hearers than any print
ed words could have done. In brief, it may be
said that we are not only without the ships
that present day warfare calls for but have
not men to man those we do have. More than
that it requires trained men for the modern
batteship, and a recent writer says that at
least one year and half is required to train
men for this duty. Mr.. Jencks said that we
have twelve submarines, all obsolete, and six
of them if submerged would go to the bottom
and stay there. Our few aeroplanes are also
obsolete. One of the best military authori-
ties had told him that Germany could land at
one time 325,000 trained and equipped troops
could only rely upon $4,000 militia and $4,000
regulars to oppose them. The foe would be
provided with machine guns, and as we have
no machine guns could annihilate our forces
before they could get within firing distance.
We could only make a stand along the Alle-
ghany Mountains and that would leave in
possession of the enemy all the places where
our munitions of war are made. The idea
that at the close of the present war Germany
would be unable to attack this country Mr.
Jencks considered erroneous. He said she
she would be better prepared than ever before,
with large and we'll trained army, and that
this country never SO well prepared for
defence as at the close of the Civil war. As
to the financial question he said that big war
debt would be an incentive to take possession
of a rich country like this.
Questions were asked and readily answered
by Mr.. Jencks and it seemed to be the unani-
nous sentiment that we should first create a
navy at least equal to that of Germany and
that we should build up merchant marine to
train men for the naval service. At the close
of Mr., Jencks' remarks a committee with M.
W. Slugg chairman and Carleton Doak, secre-
tary, was appointed to select date and make
other arrangements for later meeting look
ing to the organization of a local league.
Those present at the meeting were Mayor
Charles R. Coombs, Morris L. Slugg, Carlton
Doak, James q. Howes, Rev. A. A. Blair, Hon,
James P. Taliaferro, of Jacksonville, Fla,
Hon. Robert F. Dunton, Frank R. Woodcock
Alfred johnson, C. A. Pilsbury and Edward R.
Pierce
At meeting of the committee appointed at
the meeting Sept. 18th. held Tuesday. it was
decided to call meeting for this, Thursday
evening at o'clock to organize League and
elect officers. All interested are requested to
attend.
| Mr. Jencks left for Bangor Wednesday after.
noon and he addressed a meeting of promi-
nent citizens at the Bangor House that even
ing which created deep impression upon his
auditors, and at its conclusion it was voted to
form the Maine league for National Defense
and an organizing committee was appointed to
act temporarily as the board of directors
This committee is composed Of Frederic w
Adams, Bangor, chairman, Judge Reuel Robin.
son, Camden, Ex Gov. F. W. Plaisted. Angus.
ia. Adj. Gen. G. M. C. Presson, Pennington
Prof. F. D. Tubbs, Lewiston, Col. F. M. Hume
Houlton. Morris L. Slugg, Belfast, Col. Chas
H. Prescott, Biddeford. Col. F. N. Dow. Port
land. W. A. Hennessy. Bangor, secretary. and
Col. Isaiah K. Stetson. Bangor, treasurer.
Col. l. K. Stetson acted as chairman of the
Bangor meeting. Tie purposes of the league
are set forth in the constitution adopted which
is similar to that of leagues already formed in
New Hampshire and Vermont and is as fol
lows:
Whereas. we most earnestly desire that tn,
| United States shall remain at peace with al
nations of the earth and believe it to be o
vital Importance to the advancement of civil
cation and the progress of this republic thai
the United States should be recognized by tn
nations of the earth as peace-loving nation
and
Whereas, we are aware that notwithstandin,
our attitude Of peace and our unwilingness t.
become the aggressor. it is fully within tn
range of possibility that other nations not O.
strongly inclined toward peace, may declar
war upon this country and because of greater
preparedness may destroy the integrity of lh
republic and cause the loss of Republican ideal
to civilization, and
Whereas, history proves and the terrible wa
now devastating Europe brings home to us tn
fact that no nation can secure immunity from
the dangers and horrors of war by peaceful
desires and intentions. unsupported by adequat
military power: and
Whereas, one of the objects for which tn
government of the United States was forme
was in the words of the Constitution, "to pro
vide for the common Defense" and it is by tn
Constitution required s'to protect each Stat
from invasion;" and
Whereas, we believe that the words whicl
Washington addressed to Congress are sti
true. viz: There 10 rank due to these Unite,
States among nations whichiwilI be withheld
=