The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-27
(By the Editor OF The Starr

TT has taken handful OF Mexican outlaws 10
show us as a nation. the extremity of our unpre-
paredness II Is fortunate for this country that this
dramatic demonstration given US by band OF
gucrrllas rather than by first class power.
We could not even assume tho task OF chasing
Villa. because what small army We have was scattered
in mpotent small detachmcnts here and there. and
because there were neither men, nor ammunition.
equipmen, for instant pursuit Now that the pursuit
Is on America be prepared, II necessary. to
paciy all Mexico and perhaps To police the
country till orderly government can oe established
We doing lar more than chasing bandit into the
mountains.
1t very limited class OF people in this country
that wants Most of uS admit war IS wrong.
Most o; u know the strongest advocates OF war arc
the munon manufacturers. who want to coin dollars
OF IL,
At the time. what going to do about
i, in period OF almost universal warfare
That j. the question that American citizens
must answer.
That is the question tha, The Star submits to
those OF is readers who have disagreed with this
papers championship Of the Of national pre-
we know that defenselessness is no bar against
NC know there arc dangers in preparedness.
But know also that there arc greater dangers
in deenselessness.
When We get righ, down to rock bottom. this
preparedness issue Is the acid test 10 determine
whether the United States is nation just mass
OF short-sighiej. wrangling selfish localities. This
test must be met.
We gong 20 have \ military establishment.
There is doubt about it. Many OF us don't like
military establishment. Many of don't like
carry fire insurance building. But there is
way out long there fires
The idea that vast prof-Scckng interests arc at
the back of this military program will avail nothing
Nor will the fact that there is danger OF this mill
tary program being used to terorze the American
working class bc strong enough 20 block IT.
The fundamental fact stands out that the
tion that proceeds in the confidence that be-
she has been attacked she never will be
is the nation most in danger
II the system that makes all makes
here. this nation will struggle hard any other.
As long there TO be wars. there will be
ment As long as there Is to be armament tho only
possible wisdom for this nation is to get adequate
armament. and the best.
The argument Of the pacificists who oppose pre-
paredneSs-the argument that the United States never
prepared for any war IT has engaged IN and there
fore should begin prepare now-is ridiculous.
In all our history have faced anything like
present conditions. Nor have alone faced
and fought hrst-cass power.
Every great general this country has produced
has complained Of lack OF men and shortage OF
tcriaL lie has been handicapped by the inefeicncy
and tho worthlcssncss OF a great majority of his
troops. due solely to their being unframed
MI OF have been unnecessarily pro-
longcd, with consequent heavier cost IN life and
money. because we were never prepared for war
Had the North possessed 10000 trained soldiers,
with adequate munitions. when Fort Sumter
fired upon. the entire history OF the civil war would
have been changed II would have been short war,
saving the nation thousands Of lives and millions
Of dollars
Adequate preparedness tho Mcxean border
would have meant instant pursuit and probable cap
turc Of Villa and thus would have obvatcd ex-
pcnsive expedition and the possibility OF war with
all Mexico.
There is nothing in the idea that respect for the
opinion of the world will prevent one nation from
making unproyokcd attack ON another. here IS
nothing in the idea that compliance with demands
and the desire to preserve peace IS any safeguard
against The European war has proved that.
There IS security in the idea that luck s with
Us and that could get thru some way. There IS
nothing IN the idea of the effectiveness OF unframed
volunteers rising 10 tho defense OF their country in
the hour Of is need Nothing goes m warfare today