Connecticut western news., 1916-03-16
Preparedness and MiIItarIsm.

To the Editor of The News:
 What is your opinion of this pre- paredness plan that is agitating Presi- dent Wilson and the American congres, as we'll as the American people gen. erally? believe this fear of foreign intasion is a makeup or bugbear of the munition factory owners, big capi. talists, battleships builders, and such, who will make big money if war is carried on. But we, the common people of this country do not care to see this glorious United States become a militaristic nation to be devastated by war. We can see the effects of militarismin Europe. This country has always been able to defend itself against all foes.
 It is all right to have reasonable standing army and a good efficient navy. but this building so many great battleships and so much equipment of destruction, each country trying to out do the other fellow, is uncalled for. think this country needs merchant ships a great deal more than it does battleships. If the European nations in years past had been more interested in agriculture, commerce and the up- building of their countries, helping the farmers, the backbone of the whole world, we would not see the wretched condition of slaughter and destruction under way today, and this big arma. ment business looks to me like man putting a chip on his shoulder and 20 ing out through crowd and thinking some one would knock it off, so as to give him provocation to scrap; looking for trouble and sure to find it. This big armament business is surely, a challenge.
 It is a good thing for this country that Roosevelt or men of his caliber are not where they can get us into trouble. If he was President he would have this country in war in less than six months, but I guess no one takes him seriously. He is big blow, and would be a dan gerous man to head this government. Let us all shout and strive to have this country practice the Golden Rule and if it was not for big armies and navies as we'll as jealousy and greed, there would be no war today to atfiict man. kind. Charles A. Harris.
 Two Harbors, Minn.
 During the six months from April to September, 1915, 620 motor cars of American make were imported into India as against 470 made in Great Britain.
 Our FIrsr rheaeor. I
 In 1752 the first thpater in the Unit cd States was opened in the colony of Virginia at old Williamsburg. The originator was an English actor, Will liam Hallam, ST. who brought his own company from over seas and presented "The Merchant of Venice" as the ini- tiaI performance. The idea spread rap-l idly, and soon New York. Philadelphia and the other leading communities of colonial America each had its the ater. While the Virginia playhouse was the first in the United States, ac- tors had played in the colonies before this date. The first is said to shave been the English strolling player, An thony Aston, who was Known as Mat Medley. The actor and his art of that, day were generally despised by theI Puritanical colonists. The Massachu- setts legislature passed a law shortly after amateurs had given "The Dr. phans" at the Coffee House in Boston in, 1749 which forbade such perform ances, prescribing a penalty for actors and spectators alike of $25 each. J