Semi-weekly herald., 1916-11-30
pREpAREDNss NOT NUMBERS

reads the statement that, since the
Entente Powers have by far the
greater resources in men, munitions
md money, they are sure to win
sooner or later. Nothing more is
said; the claim is made on the
strength Of the one assertion. And
what silly claim it is,
1t is not the numbers that count,
unless it so happens that all things
else are equal. 1t is the training and
the equipment and the leaders. Vast
numbers and vast resources do not
decide wars, tho they may help in
the decision by giving the nations
possessing them an overconfidence
which will lead to their downfall.
Military records show that time
after time small bodies of highly
trained troops have deeisively defeat
ed forces greatly superior in num-
Der. Look to the Russo-Japanese
war. There was Russia, nation With
almost inexhaustible supplies, and
with numbers available for military
service runing into the millions. Sure
iy, it was said, an inferior nation like
Japan could not defeat country with
such vast resources"
But graft had Russia by the throat
II was difficult to secure supplies,
the transportation service was woe
fully inadequate, the armies were un-
trained. And Japan, the inferior mt
tion, won. Such examples are to be
found thruout military history.
Napoleon, with comparatively
small force, destroyed the army Of
the Archduke Charles, composed OF
100000 Austrians, and he never
fought an open battle. Napoleon
saw the uselessness Of attempting to
defeat the Austrians in pitched bat
tie, so, by feints, he began separat-
ing the forces of the enemy. Then,
with small bands, he would sl<irmish.
Within short time he had complete
ly disorganized the army of the
Archduke. Numbers counted for
naught.
One of the most amazing stories
in military history is that Of the de
feat of the British at New Orleans
by General Jackson with 5000 men,
force just one-half as large as
that of the enemy. The British loss
was more than 1000; the American
seven killed and six wounded. How
was it done? Jackson's men were
highly trained and seasoned veterans.
They were called militia, but they
long had been Indian fighters and
plainsmen and they were seasoned to
their work. With the rifle they were
deashots. Placed behind the walls OF
cotton bales, these men were a terri
BILE foe. And they defeated a force
of British regulars of twice their
own size.
1t is not numbers that count. nor
resources.
Bnt when people with a sincere
and unselfish desire to see the Unit
ed States prepared for any eventual
ty urge the organization of highly
trained military force, a force not
large compared to the population and
extent of the country, but fore
much larger than the toy we nov
have, they are faced with the argu-
nent that the tremendous numbe- OF
volunteers who would respond 20 the
call to arms in time Of danger would
be able to easily repel the greatly in
fcrior force that would oppose them.
If common sense does not show the
fallacy of this, then military records
do. Preparedness counts most. Per-
feitly equipped, highly trained and
ably led, an army of a few thousand
6 N and will check force of several
times its strength. The argument
that men and resources and money
win in the end is silly. And the soon
er the American people realize this
the better will they be prepared to
care for themselves in the future.
We are following false prophets now.
Colorado Springs Gazette.
CARNEGIE'S VANISHING