The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-18

ions at work, TO see the eagle spread
its wings and show its power against
the fleeing murderers as soon as Wash
ington had decided, as it did decide,
that things had gone too far:
The average American knew that
the government had been maintaining
an army on the Mexican frontier for
a number OF years. He had assumed
that this army, small as 1t might be
compared with European forces, was,
man for man, the equal OF any force
in the world. It had been on the Dor
der for years with a possible duty
ahead OF it. Certainly, even II It were
small. it was ready.
Ready? It was as ready to move
as family driven out by fire. With
Villas force putting miles OF chapar-
raj between it and pursuit. the army
waited to get ready. It could not
move. Orders for supplies went over
every wire out of Washington. The
expeditionary force. confronted mere.
", by a bit Of police work. had to go
to the. tailor, the wagon maker, the
shell maker, the tent maker, the
butcher, the baker, and the candle
stick maker.
All during Mr.. Wilson's administra-
ton that little army has been down
on the Texas frontier and when the
call came for It to act it had Its knit
ting to attend to.
This fact has stuck out in the Amer
lean consciousness. It has disturbed
all fllusory ideas. It has destroyed
confidence. There never ought to
have been any confidence; but there
was. It ought to have been, destroyed;
and it has been.
But what, to the amazement Of the
American people, is the government
Of the American nation doing? Moth.
ing, virtually nothing. "A resolution
allowing the president to bring the
army up to war strength good
thing--has been passed by congress.
but no one In Washington, aside from
a few conspicuously, lonesome con.
gressmen, takes any account OF the
unreadiness betrayed by the military
forces Of the nation.
The essentials OF our national weak
ness are not considered. The subject
is of no more Importance now than It
was before this little furry OF emer.
gency betrayed how utterly incapable
we were Of meeting any real danger;
before the suddenness of this small
furry disclosed how suddenly q real
danger might present itself to the
same unready people.
The faults Of the army. as people
readily will understand, cannot be laid
at the door OF the army. It Is helpless.
It IL In the hands of the administra-
ton and Of congress. The army cam
not be ready Il the government will
not enable ittolbe ready.
Here is q small occasion and great
lapse. There may come a big occasion
and q great tragedy. Congress and
the administration give that possibil.
ity no thought, and the fact that no
thought is given it begins to enter the
consciousness OF the ordinary, placid;
easy going American. isl
When 1t does 80 enter thoroughly
there will be! a pay day for congress
and for the administration, The
American people are mot wholly un-
perceptiye and foolish.
They can reoogniSe the facts Of their.
condition. aud, II we be not badly mis-:
taken, they are realizing them. And
when they do fully und them
there will be an accounting iat Wash.
ington which will put many new feet
under the desks OF authority.-The
Chicago Tribune. 5..,s Z