The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-22
TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST %, 1915
"America First and America Efficient"
PREPARE FOR AN INVASION.

YESTERDAY morning an Associated Press staff man
who had been taken on a tour Of inspection of the
naval resources of Great Britain told of the almost
supefhuman ship building activities that are going on in
that country. And the product of the shipyards is by no
means confined to warships. Great merchant liners and
cargo carriers are being built against the day when peace
shall be restored. and the manufacturers Of Great Britain.
more efficient now than ever before in their history, will
ses forth to conquer anew the markets of the world.
Two or three days earlier the more important news
papers Of the country carried a special dispatch telling Of
similar activity in Germany coupled with the digging Of
canals and other preparations for the big trade expected
rs soon as peace has been declared" One paragraph of
ths latter news story is worthy of being reproduced for
the information of the voters who will be called upon to
make q choice Of candidates for congress at the polls in
November. I'll as follows:
The warehouses throughout Germany are
stocked with merchandise OF all kinds waiting
forlpeace. All the factories have been work.
ing at full time as usual, and all the goods
turned out by them are being stored ready for
shipment after the war. In all ship yards
merchant vessels are being constructed. and
~. Ills said that their number will astonish the
world. Germany is figuring on the fact that
merchant vessels will be at a premium when
been 30 busy with other things that they will
have practically no merchandise to ship. All
indications point to a big commercial war,
and with her usual efficiency Germany Is pre-
pairing for 1t, and will have all her goods
ready5to ship to the United States and other
Countries QlrecLy alter peace lS declared.
While The war lasts America profits by being able to
Ell supplies to at least one of the belliserents. BY being
Is neutral as it is possible to be in all the circumstances
we have been able to shift the trade balance in our favor
Ind for the Tune being at least make New York the fnan-
cal capital of the world. But when peace comes to the
warning nations both sides will tum their commercial guns
on he manufacturing establishments of this country. and
if thsy are not given the protection of far sighted states
manshiip nun and all that implies for the wage Garner of
the country will be their fate.
What the people Of Europe feel about our conduct dur
ing heir mortal agony will have nothing to do with this
result The supreme law of self preservation will impel
not only England and Germany but every other nation Of
Europe TO go forth in search Of markets and to get them
1t whatever cost This rich. commercially unprotected
country will offer the greatest opportunity and the one
Easiest TO take advantage of if we are not careful.
Why. if the American people reflect Woodrow Wilson
Ind retum a Democratic majority to Congress. the great
,tate supervised trade bodies of Europe will divide up the
tado possibilities of this country in the same cold blooded
manner that the ehancelleries once divided China into
'spheres Of influence" If the voters of this district want
10 do their share toward avertng that humiliation aad all
he dangers to their personal welfare that go with it they
Will vote for Thomas W.. Fleming for Congress.