Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-01-08
CYCLONE" DAVIS
WRITES THE WORLD
Congressman States Fully His Pos.
tiono On Question Of Pre-
paredness.
To The World.


New YORK tlty, y. \.
Answering your telegram. think
Woodrow Wilson one of the grandest
men that ever served as president
but as a congressman am unwilling
TO commit myself now TO any very
large extension Of our army or navy
would like 10 double or treble our
army aud navy schools, preparing On
adequate number of young men for
expert service in time of need. en-
large our Rock Island arsenal; manu-
facture and keep on hand an ample
supply of iirst-class guns, munitions
and like equipment plant several
aeronautic stations on our shores
with submarine and mine equipments.
Thus prepared and relying on a citi-
zen soldiery. If we give the citizen
freedom and fair play at home, We
will be impervious to all attacks from
any source
fear a very large part OF this
clamor for preparedness is inspired
by the money trust, steel trust, pow.
der trust. shipbuilding trust, etc.
which are growing fabulously richer
and more powerful over the war con.
tracts from Europe and want to have
this country in frenzy over big
army and navy so when their big
contracts with the Allies in Europe
close, they can feast few years
more on our own federal treasury IN
big, fat contracts at home
What countries de we expect to at
tack us? II our program is only de.
lensive, | see no danger of trouble.
The clashing governments of Europe
are now bankrupting their govern
ments. and numbering their men by
the million. Unless Morgan, or some
of our predatory rich, furnish them
money, it would be impossible for
the INTO invade and maintain a war
with our country. Stupid must be the
ihdH Wito tblhho tHht Japan VI tttiiit
even both, could mobilize an army.
wade the ocean ten thousand miles
and invade our country Germany
seems to be the spector OF dread that
the "Gingos' refer to- Germany will
have enemies enough in Europe to
keep her busy for a generation, even
If she comes out of this dreadful war
alive.
Bryan, Wilson's great partner in
this wonderful peace and prosperity
we now have, made solemn treaties
with most nations OF the earth, to
refer all questions to The Hague one
year before a declaration of war, or
an overt act of violence. Shalt we
tell the world that we have no conf
dence in its treaties? Is Christian
ity dead and honor extinct, and the
world prize ring in which brute
force alone is master? Kings, EN-
porers, aristocrats and great, greedy
corporations will keep the world in
maelstrom of misery and war IL
democracy, freedom and justice are
not allowed to assert themselves. 1t
is the mission of our government to
lead the way in this great universal
civilizing program.
would have the government make
its own army supplies, munitions,
guns, gunboats and aeroplanes. One
who feels a pang OF sorrow over the
present cruel war grows Mortified and
heartsiek as he sees the great gun
and powder factories of the earth in
supplying the guns and
that prepare both sides for
the slaughter. The Krupps in Ger
many and the Armstrong; in England
leagued in corporate partnership, have
furnished deadly machines Of murder
that thunder on both sides OF every
battle II war is Hell" as Sherman
said, then let us keep out of Hell"
by preparing for a glorious ciyiliza-
ton at home, enlarge our ports and
and merchant marine, curb the rapac-
city Of the maleyolent rich who con
centrate our natural and productive
ssources into few greedy hands.
Establish Justice, insure domestic
tranquility" not make all our farm
ers tenants and our laboring millions
serfs to soulless corporations, and
our merchants poems to a few trusts
in order that a few bankers like Nor
gar and Rockefeller may be masters
OF all our gigantic enterprises, thus
promoting debt. discord, riot, strikes
and misery among the masses.
Provide for the common defense"
by making our people free, prosper
ops and happy and then the combined
world could not invade and conquer
as. A contented citizen soldiery is