The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-15

buildings. Why? Because we know
that fire is immediate? No, but be-
cause at any sine fire may endanger
the lives of the occupants. Every
careful commander equips his vessel
with life boats and life preserverS
Why? Because he expects his vessel
to be lost in q storm? No, but be-
cause he must be prepared for that,
which may happen.
I'VE spend millions of dollars in
this nation every year for the educa-
ton of the youth. Why? To better
prepare them for the coming struggle
in life.
1.-THE careful man lays something
aside from his earnings to be prepar-
ed for that inevitable day when age
will end his earning powers. Our
every effort is along the line of prep
aration, and as nation, should wc
not be as prudent?
Are Not Prepared.
I'VE, as nation, have never been
prepared for war. We are not today
prepared for war. We have not train
ed men enough to even protect our
Mexican borders, and have been COM
PEELED to call out the militia of Texas,
Arizona and New Mexico. and to our
shame over a hundred of the Texas
militia refused to answer the call. A
band Of Mexican bandits recently at
tackled the border town OF Columbus.
and massacred a number Of our citi.
zens under the very guns OF our reg
ular army, and 1t has taken this coun'
try weeks to be prepared to follow
and punish the band. and we have
not yet succeeded in capturing and
Furnishing the leader.
"In our war with Spain our unpre.
paredness cost us thousands Of lives
and millions of dollars. Armies must
be equipped, men must be trained, or
lives are sacrificed and wealth Is
wasted, because of lack OF prepared
ness.
Tho Emphasis Of Today.
"The present war is each day en-
phasizing more forcibly the necessity
OF careful and efficient preparation.
England, France, Italy. Russia, Bel
GUM. Servia, with millions upon mil
lions of men. with untold wealth. are
struggling against the nations Of
Germany and Austria Eliminate
Germany and the war would have end
ed months ago. With Germany no
one can prophecy the end. What Is
the reason? German efficiency, Ger
man preparedness; Russian inef1cien-
cy, Russian unpreparedness; Frances
lnefhciency, Frances paper prepared
ness; England's self assurance and
security In the greatness OF her navy.
What has become Of Belgium's inn
pregnable fortresses? Swept aside
like card board houses. Had Russia
or France been prepared; had their
leaders been efficient and trained, this
war would never have taken place.
One hesitates long before attacking
| one OF equal power and strength I
do not believe in making this nation
an armed camp, but I do believe that
we should see that this government
adopts some plan by which our youth
in times of peace may be trained to
be fit for war. That In arms and
ammunition and trained officers, we
are prepared at any moment to cope
with the strongest nation. BY so do
ing, we prevent useless sacrifice OF
lives and property, due to lack OF
prepare ton. By so doing, We create
stronger force for peace than all
the treaties ever drawn.
This day is one set aside for this
purpose of impressing upon our minds
that we, as citizens, owe a duty to
our flag and to Our country, and f.
is, it seems to me, appropriate that
We should consider these questions
that are vital to the nations existence
and the nations security.