Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1915-11-19
PREPAREDNESS.


late pro and crn on the question Of
proper preparedness of this country
10 case of war or invasion. This
agitation becomes more pronounced
as the time for the convening Of
Congress ds2ws near. We, believe,
that orr Army and Navy should be
at all times strong enough to take
the offensive IN case of war as well
as the defensive. II they are not strong
enough now they should he 50, but
10 strengthening our military and |
naval system in this country, we
should move with caution. We
should do this quietly and effectively
We, believe, more 10 efficiency in
the Army aud Navy than in large
numbers of soldiers and sailors Our
moEey should be spent for the
thorough and efficient training Of our
troops. We believe, that if the
men in cur armies and navIes were
better paid, we would have in the
ranks better al more efficient men.
With all, however, while we believe
in sufficient Preparedness to meet all
emergencies we believe in using eau
ton.
Cardinal Gibbons whose views OF
all public subjects are looked upon
with great deal of confidence and
respect says:
''ln this matter Of preparedness,
we should adopt safe, sensible and
sane position. | am favorable to
middle of-the road caution. We
don't want to run riotously to the
preparedness program nor dove want
to stick to the peass-at-any price pro-
paganda. There has been a lot CT
hysteria about the dangers that con-
front our nation from foreign foes.
ave needn't have the slightest
apprehension. W. shall not become
embroiled in war unless we adopt a
policy Of aggression, and that is dis
tinctIy opposed to our principles.
We have Jared very well ia 100
years with small army and navy.
Pun opposed to creating great stand
ing armies and enlareing our navy
out of all proportion Of our actual
needs.
@The way to secure proper pre-
paredness is through the State mill,
tia. This will give you a body o.
trained soldiery, ready to spring T.
the national defense at the frat alarm,
and yet will not take great masses OF
young Ilen for an indefinite time
from commercial pursuits, professions
and other walks Of peace.
ITO secure that skill il our militia
il is only necessary for the Federal
and State government to cooperate.
Let the Governor and II lie. islature
reach the proper angle on this matter;
let them have certain fixed rules gov.
erning control Of the militia, aud let
them set aside certain times when a
real training can be given to oar
citizen soldiery. OF course, oyee ali
this military training the national
officials should exercise proper con
troll and supervision.
tftN q ara a-uanfall.
through Devine Providence and ma.
tural barriers, On the east we have
the Atlantic Ocean aud on the west
the Pacific Ocean. On the north we
have our calm, pacific neighbors OF
the Dominion of Canada, and Mexico
on the South, despite i;s present tnr-
bulent CO, dition, will never attack
this country. What greater protec-
ton can we wish than that ? Unless
we seek aggression, no European ma
tor, worn out now in this terrible
struggle, will seek to battle with US,
and we have nothing to fear on the
other side Of the Pacific Ocean.
alt is the same u ethod that we
must us. We want to be in a posi-
ton to defend ourselves, but We
mustn't be carried away by tins
bysteria and apprehension that is on
every side. Nor do we want to be-
lulled into any false security either.
We want to 90 ahead and meet con
ditions as they arise, but in no CIR,
cnmstances do we want great stand
ing armies am opposed TO this
plan, as a species of natural appre-
hession and hysteria that is far from
warranted by the existing conditions.
ssNor can ! emphasize too strongly
the fact that the war in Europeis not
a failure for Christianity. i The ma
tons followed the precepts of Christ
and the maxims Vi Christianity and
the teachings OF our Blessed Lord
We would have no war today. II is
not Christianity that is at fault; it is
the lack of following Christ's teach
ings.
II cannot tell how this war will
affect the religious activities Of the
future; can only hope. Bat If The
nations at war will follow closely the
Sermon on the Mount and the pre-.
cepts of Christ, religion will have
auffer..d no las,tn.r h.,,,, g., a.