Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-03-11
WRITES AGAINST
PREPAREDNESS
MIR. T. J. Bishop of Shanghai, Takes
Decided Stand Against the
Movement.
Shanghai, March s.

Shanghai, March s.
The World.
Mr.. Editor beg leave for space
for the following article in your pa
per.
Never within The last half century
has our country been more agitated
over troubles. both foreign and do
mestic. Trouble which seem to be
contagious and If not remedied. fear
will prove fatal to our national well.
fare.
War, cruel war with all of It's con-
Eliminating Influences. seems 10 be
the prevailing theme. But few Of
the present generation have had any
personal or practical experience at
real war and it's shameful results
However, a few Of us who partici-
pated in one of the most unequal and
unjust wars of modern times. are still
left to tell the tale Nothing has
hardly equalcd that fight not even
Belgium
A man of ll-gotten fame and or
iginator of some of the most henious
crimes on record once declared war
was hell May not the impartial his
tOrian with equally as much author
ity declare it such. II was he who
helped to make it such, BIZ Sher-
man The whole world stood aghast
az his marvellous inhumanty all
through his barbarous campaigns,
taking in scope Of 30 miles wide
and 300 long by ill-gotten fame, gain
ed by others blood and brains. War
gives opportunity and fully deyelopes
characters like Sherman and many
others of his liking.
But why should we fear war at pres
ent with a fighting population OF 3d.
000 900, many Of whom are descend
ants OF men who courage and patrio-
tism knows no bounds With a navy
only second to any on earth and
with a treasury well exhausted. Who
should we fear?
If we can't compare on water, let
them come TO shore and meet them
with all kinds OF instruments and
weapons. II doesn't matter about
the polish or style. The man behind
the gun is more than the gun. When
engaged in close quarters with a yell
and bold front victory is most sure.
But why such war talk If Uncle
Sam would keep his nose and fingers
away from warning countries and not
be sending them provisions to en-
courage and prolong their unholy
struggle. getting back in return
thousands OF dollars in filthy lucre,
all covered with blood and brains of
q God-forsaken country. We are not
paupers that we are compelled to
resort to such merchandise.
Why is all this great-to-do about
preparedness Haven't we always
been prepared sufficiently for any
emergency? OF course after we go
to the trouble and extra expense OF
making extra preparations. we may
most likely get in extra trouble, If
we have to go away from home 10
find it. We had out great troubles
some 50-odd years ago and Europe
STAYED at home and let us settle them
among ourselves and now it would
seem as if it were our turn to stay
at home and let them fight it without
any of our aid and assistance Uncle
Sam, hands off and keep your people
and traffic at home!
1t might be we'll to organize the
subjects OF military service in com
panies and regiments in various parts
of our country, and every now and
then let them go home and attend to
their vocations. BY such method we
might have prepared for short notice
a sufficient number Of good material
for almost any emergency.
Yours most respectfully,
I. ]. BISHOP