The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-27
IS THIS NATION
IN DANGER NOW
Quick Continues
Discussion OF This I'm
portant Question.
BY HERBERT QUICK.
wrttten especially for The West Viz
~ ginian.

EE
wTtttel especially for The West Vir-
ginian.
M. Brysp said not long ago If this
country we're attacked by a foreign
Tea million armed men would spring
10 arms In her defense between sun
rise and sunset.
He has been much criticised for
this saying, but he is correct. The
question is, first. whether or not we
are IN any danger OF being attacked
BY a foreign nation, whether or NOT
the million men in arm rushing TO
the colors between sunrise and sun
set would do any good.
There is no question that the mil
lion men would rush TO the %colors;
but ! don't think they could do much
against an army Of any great size
composed Of trained soldiers-which
We have not; equipped with air.
ships-which we have not; such ar
tflery as they are using in the Eu-
ropeau war-which We rave not;
and machine guns instead OF rifles
which, also, we have not.
/ think SUCH an army could march
back and forth through u million
unarmed, unframed men and over
their corpses as the Spaniards under
Certez marched through Mexico in
spite Of the resistance OF the brave
Aztecs,t armed with bows. spears ana
clubs.
When congress meets it will face
these questions and must act on the
matter OF what may be u destiny.
We, as voters, must instruct our
representatives on our desires. We
must fill the peanut politicians who
represent most of us with the fear
of God and Of the voters. We must
make up minds on this matter
Of national defense and then help con-
gresham and senators TO make up
their minds.
i have suggested that we are a de-
f~enseless nation, but | will not discuss
that matter further here. Let US
now consider whether or not We are
In any danger OF attack.
A year ago l should have said tnat
we are not. A year ago l believed
that our danger was remote. ave
been sometimes called a paclhst. pc
cause i believe war to be an unmiXed
eyil: but l have never been able 10
q that the danger OF wars is over.
In "on Board the Good ship EaFth'
published in, 1913, find these sen.
fences. There is no question h a
In some cases the nations are now.
and for centuries have been. in the
position OF making choice between
national extinction and preparedness
for ware 81 wish | could see
TIE way to universal disarmament IN
ifhe-near future, but even should IN
ternationalism obtain control .ot the
military nations OF the world. am
unable to see more than a lull in the
storm and a REIMBURSEMENT OF factors.
II that seemed true in 1913. now
can Il, be doubted now: This Is a
world at war. We Of the United
states live in that calm area which
e the center % every cyclone. 1t is
calm nov; bur is that any reason
Why we should rot scan the sky and
study the barometer and the weather
forecast?
Are we likely to be attacked? Some
saw that the nations will exhaust
themselves in the world var and will
Aot.be able to attack US II they wished
TODD SO; that none OF them Wish 10
attack us, and that they could not
attack US successfully.
Z Leave the last question for the tu-
tire: Let US consider whether or not
fhe nations Will be exhausted. His
xorysdoes not so teach. Wars oTeeo
vars we may be entering upon a
hundred years Of wars, a period OF
reSlfng back toward barbarism. In
stch; times when the spirit OF the de-
VI. Is abroad among the nations, peo'
pies which are at the same time rich
and d~efenseless are the meat OF the
armed nations.
Any on Of the warning nations
could pick a fight with US in a month.
Think Of the millions wrung by
Germany from poor little Belgium.
Think OF the billions which a con
.u1ering army could wiring from the
Emitted States!
Such = war on US would pay the
biarest dividends ever won in war.
RGermany were free to invade this
nation now, she could make US f1nance
Her war debt. We are the richest
prize ever offered the cupidity OF a
conqueror, and one OF the most de-
fenseless. -.
Are these things true? Well,
whether they are true or not. the best
Judges think them true. For one,
anasnot in favor Of taking any chances
on them. l believe in acting as II
they were true. And | believe in
building up a public sentiment in this
country which will force congress TO
rise above party lines and act strong.
81. promptly, wisely and scientifically
On national defense.