The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-05-31
,tJBLIsHED EVERY WEDNESDAY
LOCKING THE DOOR TOO LATE


able blooded horse he protects
himself from loss at the hands
of thieves by putting a paddock
on his barn door.
The banker who cares for
your money locks it up in his
great burglar proof safe at
night.
When the merchant goes home
after the days labor he leaves
his goods under lock and key
and bolts and bars.
The individual invariably takes
measures to protect his own.
But not so with US as a nation.
We have accumulated vast stores
of wealth, but have neglected to
provide the necessary means for
the protection of that wealth.
It is true that after months OF
Indifference congress has at last
passed a preparedness measure
by providing for the increase OF
the regular army and the Ma,
etional Guard to a total approx
innate force of about 70O,O0 men
But it will be several years be-
fore this force can be gathered
together and armed and equip
ped and drilled and disciplined
and put in shape to meet an en-
emy on equal terms. In the
meantime we are just about
where we were before the bill
was passed-without a lock to
our door.
It is not likely now that we
will have any trouble with Eu-
ropean countries after the pres
ent war is over. We sincerely
hope not.
But we are not so sanguine as
to the attitude of Japan. Our
present State Of national help
lessness has forced congress and
the administration to bow to the
demands of Japan and eliminate
from an immigration bill certain
sections which were assigned to
protect American laooring men
from the cheap japanese labor
that has been flooding this coun-
try. There was no help for 1t.
It was a case of bow or fight,
and we are in no condition to
fight.
If Japan would be content
with her victory all might even
vet be fairly we'll. But it is
doubtful if she will be content.
The japanese are a warlike peo-
pie, determinedly bent upon Sc
curing equal rights on the Amer
ican continent.
And right here enters the pres
ent element of danger to our
peace and security Of the future.
The Mexlcans hate everything
American. They are imoued
with the mistaken idea that we
are a people who will not fight,
and hence they consider US be-
meath their contempt.
It is reasonably well known
that Mexican emissaries are in
Japan seeking the aid Of the Jap
anese people in a war against
the United States. Nothing
would suit the Japanese designs
and purposes better than such
an alliance. It would afford
them the coveted opportunity
and excuse for Selling the Phil
ippines, which they greatly de-
sire. A great army could be
landed on our Pacific coast and
we could not prevent it. Anoth
er tremendous army Of Japanese
could be landed in Mexico, and
in cooperation with the Mezi-
cans could invade US across the
border at hundred different
points simultaneously. Our
present military strength is so
ridiculously small that we would
be hopelessly outnumbered and
outmatched at every point.
Press dispatches show every
indication that the Mexicans are
expecting just such an alliance
with the japanese, and if the at
tack comes at all if will not be
delayed until we have had two
or three years in which to col
lect and drill an army. 1t Will
come soon, while we are still IN
a hopeless and helpless conol-
ton.
The American people are at
last awakening to a realization
e ~ ,oor;l of o,,r oatiooo1 ho1o.