The Washington times., 1915-12-18
.SHUSTER WARNS OF
WAR IN FIVE YEARS
Expects to See New York Bom-
barded If Steps for Defense
Aren't Taken.

NEW YORK. Dec. iS.-The invasion
OF America. beginning with the bonn
bardment OF New York city, by Euro
pean or Asiatic nations within five
years unless adequate steps for de-
Tense are taken was predicted yes
terday at a meeting OF the Special Aid
Society, by W. Morgan Shuster. the
young American who served for n
time as treasurer-general OF Persia.
The society which is composed of
many prominent women and headed by
Mrs. William Alexander, Is working
among the women of the country In
cooperation with the National Secur-
ity League to arouse the people to
the need for preparedness. The meet
ing yesterday was held at 597 Fifth
avenue. the headquarters OF the or
ganization.
Mr.. shuster spoke OF the pacihsts
more in sorrow than in anger. He
said
'If these views were confined to n
very few people It wouldn't be worth
while to answer them. but we have
many statesmen urging unprepared-
ness and also numerous clergymen
and college professors who are put
ting before the American people the
idea that an untrled and dangerouS
theory unsupported by the history OF
any nation will be q sufficient secur-
ity in time of peril.
Recalls Chlna's History.
The history OF China during the last
fiftv wears should convince any rational
person that turning the other cheek in
international affairs doesn't work"
Mr. Shuster denounced the version of
American history taught in the schools
Of the nation. and asserted that the
United States had blundered through
two or three wars almost at the cost
of national existence. @
tIrA ra..Ntl c,f1
Mr. Shuster but really believe that
II live Ave years more I will see New
York bombarded unless we demonstrate
within that time that we are a homo
geneous nation and drive a certain legls-
!, lative party ont in favor OF a reason
able defense policy.
Our paoifist friends tell us we will
become brutallv aggressive II we have
larger army OF. say. 14l ,OO0 regulars
and continental army OF 1000. AS a
matter Of fact tn" aggressive power Of
such an army would be limited to just
one of the eighteen different armies
lighting IN Europe"
Mr. Shuster said that even at the
present time when the nations arc i'm
death grips not one nays the slightest
attention TO the notes and protests of
| the United States.
1--WE are not respectcd-we arc
laughed atm Europe because It Is
known that we wouldn't dare declare
war on anything but fourth rate
power" he went on. "Tt doesn't create
any friendly feeling for us that In this
crisis We are getting fat as a result OF
| the war.
Pretexts For Attacks.
I'VE have. in their opinion. insulted
| two nat'onE- --'rCr-nduV and Aus "a ami
| have filed ssrOng notes Of Drotest
! AGAINST the acts Of Greet britain aat
| F'"nncc. I shall nc very sorry II at tbs
| end 81 the war we rave to straiGhtrT
| out cur accounts in our present state -
! military equipment. At least five II th'
| LARGEST nations of FuroDe have oirc1dN
beou given the preteXt for nm attack GT
1 this country"
| 4 Bctition tn CcnGra $50 for preDared
| ness. which viii I've sent to Tonen's or
/ CARNATIONS and prominent reopl,
| TIN oUrhout the country for signatures
| vas read. Short addresses urging thu
| women to work for prong redness wer'
| made by Howard Tav'Or and :. Stan
| wool Menken. president OF the Nationa
! security League.
! ATcnE those at the meeting were Mrs
| WiiiCm Alexander. Mrs. William "
T.iws Mrs. Frederick Foster Carey. Mrs
| Howard Dawson. Mrs DTahIsh -. John
| son. Mrs, Frederick Pearson AIRS. Hcnr'
| j.. Ferry. Mrs. Alexander ID. B. Trait
| MS. r. J. Oakley Rhinelander Mrs
| Ni'.an Spencer. Mrs. Chhrlc' Van Rens
ye,arr and Mrs A IT, Washington.