Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-13

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aorders,r tho policeman told jim.
general said quietly, n proportion OF
from three to five absolutely green and
unframed men, except for their service
on the Mexican border. In some states
the situation Is even worse. Nevada
has pledged men. but has had not even
a national guard organization for ten
years. Entirely neglecting the prob
lens of their equipment. drill and
training. the matter Of their organiza.
ton and transport alone will require
many days"
AS the chief OF STA e had been speak
Ing an aid had been laying down upon
the sea section Of the great chart q
number of small seed shaped blocks.
AS the chief Of stan gaZed ut them the
eyes Of the president and his advisers
followed.
What are those! the secretary Of
the interior inquired.
The aid continued to lay down addi-
| llOllill DtOShc dS lhC kChCAoA ASPAASo'
Those are some Of the transports OF
the enemy. According to the figures
which the general stafY furnished the
house some time ago. the number of
the first expediuonary force sent to
attack us was calculated to be In ex-
cess Of 10000 men. We have no rea-
son to believe the force now at sea Is
| 80 thnrnnuh1v
trained troops, completely organized
and disciplined. and have adequate sup
plies Of ammunition"
The aid placed his last block. Tho
chief Of staff bent closer and read the
longitude figures.
You have placed the transports
where. according to our information,
they were yesterday" Stone said. He
put his hand over the blocks and swept
them toward the American coast ITO
day, OF course, they must be 800 miles
nearer"
The president. as he gazed ut the new
position OF the ships. wet his lips and
cliuched his hands. The secretary of
war estimated again with his glance
the distance Of the enemy's transports
from the coast and the distance Of the
points inland upon which were marked
the numbers OF the militia levies.
You will explain" the president d.
rected. 1.-The plan Of the general staff
for the present contingency"
THAT part of the plan already under
the authority Of the general staff is
being carried out. as you see" Stone
referred to the map. 1.-The coast de-
lenses are being manned to their full
capacity as rapidly as possible. and
adequate ammunition Is to be supplied
as quickly as 1t can be manufactured.
The national guard of the coast states
and will remain to defend its own
states until the objective of the enemy
Is determined. The national guard Of
other states Is being modified. as
you see In It's own states and as
rapidly as possible will be concentrat-
ed at secret railroad center. The
regular army Is being reformed so that
each battalion at peace strength shall
be the nucleus Of n regiment at war
strength, forming a brigade. with the
colonel as brigadier, the battalion com
manders MS colonies and corresponding
promotion OF other officers and nun-
commissioned officers and with pri
Yates made noncomnlissoned officers.
THE navy should at once be concen-
trated in Long Island sound, and the
national guard OF New York, increased
to war strength. should he sent to
Long Island. With this done and with
the army concentrated at a point nn.
known to the enemy. it will not be
feasible for him to make a landing
south OF Portland. Me-. or north of
Chesapeake bay without exposing him
self to the double danger OF naval
attack and a land attack at the mo-
ment Of debarkation."
with the probable resultr'
That the enemy would have TO land
In a southern state. where he could do
little military damage and where he
should be left to roam. watched by
cavalry, which would destroy all rail-
roads in front Of him until our army.
equipped from the New England fac
tories and hardened by training. is
able to meet him in the open field"
You mean to sacrifice the south! r
The chief of stan turned patiently to
the secretary Of the navy. II mean to
choose no section Of our country for
sacrifice" Stone replied CURLY. 81
hope to force the enemy to occupy a
section where, in addition TO having to
transport his munitions from over the
seas. he will b obliged to bring all
food for his soldiers also--a section
which cannot be held by us II tho
northern Atlantic seaboard fall. but
which may BE- redeemed II We hold our
Industrial centers. To prevent the enc
my supplying himself from oiir s::c.:ee
houses, ask that measures be taken
at once to prevent foodstuffs from