Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
Now for the Preparedness Parade.


! NJ oW tina, Mayor Ansle has taken hold of
the matter actively and the local organi-
| cation of the National Security League has
pledged its cooperation. the prepa redness
| parade The Times Dispatch has been advo-
eating probably is assured. 1t is an excellent
plan 10 hold the parade on June 3 concident
with other demonstrations OF the same char
acter that are To take place on that day in
other cities of the country
II the people of Richmond believe in pre-
paredncss as we think they do. it is proper
ana necessary they should show the faith
that is in them. This is IA time when the
citizenship of the country should declare it
self. The world is out of joint Half of it
Is III arms. Men are dying by hundreds and
thousands every day. Suffering sweeps over
Europe. and hunger. and bitter passion and
Jealous envy OF the nation that has kept its
head ard kept the peace are in the air
While the United States njoys almost un-
eXamped prosperity. the boarded treasures
OF every great European nation are being
poured on the affairs of the god What
ever the outcome OF the struggle il will leave
disappointed ambitions in its train One or
another of the bolligcrcnts will lose a colonial
empire, or its equivalent. To the south of
us is continent, thiny populated and offer
ing temptations TO the and-hungry far
greater than any to be found in Asia or
Africa, or the isles of the sea The people
of that continent look 10 us for protection
and their protection is Of the very fabric of
our own existence. To fail to prepare under
such circumstances of difficulty and danger
would be cOnSumnate folly.
There is no aggression in the heart of
America. We shall never fight save in self
defense. There is no likelihood. there is no
possibility. even. that we shall adopt policy
of aggression. Adequate preparedness, so
far as this country is concerned, makes not
for war. but for peace That we he able to
defend Al IN pboI bo
10 which sc have committed ourselves
Su'emnly is essential to any hope Of immunity
irum thc curse OF strife.
All The money that could he spent on pre-
paredncss now would not equal the expense
OF months active participation in war.
-ho"id war come All the energy We could
dcVol" 10 preparedness would be nothing com
pared 10 The unreasonable cyertion and
bloody agony Of single great battle
y" Wei as or better than any city in the
country Richmond knows what unprepared-
ness Tor var means and what suffering and
sacrifice it entails Richmond should join in
the demand for n strong army and stronger
navy richmond should insist that the in
uuSlrial resources OF the nation be modified
ior the national defense. Richmond should
prov" that in any time Of danger or peril
Il IS wiling % bear It's part and pay its share
OF the cost.
Men who hesitating should let the
Mayor know at once they stand ready to give
him every assistance Organizations should
testify their desire 10 take part, The
pageant feature should he encouraged for
II IS well AT time like this that virginians
DC helped 20 remember the services their
fathers rendered and the sacrifices their
fathers made that the liberties OF This people
'hlgn' y" established and preserved
The Confederate veterans may have fought