The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-27
William Barclay Parsons

are quite satisfied that no foreign
Power will attack us directly, and
therefore ask why should we suddenly
cry aloud about Dur unpreparedness?
To these good souls my answer Is:
Because Of the war In Europe. That
has completely changed the situation.
or course II Is useless to prophesy
about the outcome OF the struggle, but
for the sake of example. let us sup
pose that the Allies are victorious.
This would undoubtedly impose q
heavy indemnity upon Germany.
What Is to prevent Germany from
making US pay her bill? You don't
see how this applies? Well, let us re-
view the facts.
"Germany's navy Is substa ntially
un!mpaired despite some losses. As
such It is undoubtedly superior to
ours. and Germany's experience is
giving her daily hints Just how to put
that force TO more telling effect when
ever her fleet does take to the sea.
German gun factories, munit!on plants
n machine shops will be In a higher
state OF efficiency when this war ends
thar they were at the opening OF hos
~tilities. and we know just how capable
they were then.
Just as the frontier Of Belgium was
the weak spot in the defences of
France 80 may Mexico prove a source
OF danger TO us. Again, you may pro-
test hat Mexico is not mixed up in
the war In Europe, and conditions
there concern us more than any other
, nation. Literally this is true, but
/ that state OF anarchy may be inter-
preted otherwise by Germany in time.
Please remember that she has had a
large number OF her people in that
country. These have been substan-
TALLY ruined and their property ruth
lessly destroyed or confiscated.
What is to V Germany from
taking these circumstances as an en-
cuse for the despatch of a large feet
and a big army to the coast of Mex
leo? What could we do TO prevent
the taking of Vera Cruz and Ger
many's virtual dominance OF that fac
tion wracked so-called republic? And
If we did not like Gcrmany's excuse
for being there, how could We get her
out?
without an ample army we should
be powerless. and the one alternative
would be to pay the Kaiscr's price.
This might easily prove to he n stag
gcrinC figure, and ample enough TO
wipe out Germany's potential finan-
cial obligation to the Allies. But If II
came to blows, and we are not wise
enough now to start vigorously to put
ourselves in a condition to protect our
W interests, we might be forced to
pay an indemnity, suffer great loss
of life and blood, and be dreadfully
Inundated besides.
But be that as II may. we la
available to-day resources which
would help us tremendously II they he
properly recognized at nee ard made
ready for cooperation with the low
eminent, I nave in mind tho engineer
ing fraternity Of the country and their
field cohorts OF civil life.
I'm times Of peace no other nation
within its own bounds is engaged in
such gigantic engineering undertake
ings as we are. Not only are these
CONSTITUTIONAL armies of vast pr, por-
tons but the very tools employed are
many of them unique and the dir, ct
outcome of the bigncss ami the newS
ness of the tasks set. But before we
go into the details Of these varied civil
organizations and their possible mill
tary adaptation l wan to anticipate
criticism.
1T is a matter OF common knowl-
edge that II army has m elite body
Of tcchniclsts in its corps of engineers.
These mon are professionally Of the
very best in the land, They are re-
crulted from the leading or star mem
hers of each class graduated from
! West Point. But at best they are Q