The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-06
Germany Will Find
us. Formidable Foe
Worthy Beginning of Task Of Mobizing Greatest Potential
Resources of Any Nation World Is Already
Made-Amcrica Will Fight Big"

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potential resources which, all told
probably never have been eQualled BY
any other nation in the history Of tho
world are brought into the great wal
under the American flag.
Into the balance against Germany
are thrown a navy In strength ant
an army comparatively small, but
highly efficient, backed by a citizcnr,
Of upwards Of 100000 capable o.
military duty: industrial resources in.
cornparably the greatest in the world
already modified for public service;
and the moral force of more thar
100,000.0OO Americans awakened tc
their countrys peril and united behind
their president with patriotic fcrvoI
reincarnating the spirit Of rs.
Although much remains to be done
officials believe the nations destinies
are secure, now, no matter how stub
born or prolonged may be the pres.
sure of German militarism or how
wide the scope of German intrigue.
The slowly maturing preparedness
sentiment has borne fruit in military
naval and Industrial preparations
which already have put the United
States on a defensive basis not even
hoped for two years ago. What more
It. will do. the president believes can
be measured only by what the ad-
ministration finds will be necessary.
What Navy Has Done.
The navy. always the first line OF
defense. has cleared it's decks of an
tiquatcd membranes. has added new
units. modernized to meet the German
tactics, and the patriotic CO. operation
Of ship and material makers in hurry
ing to completion other mighty fight
ing craft that will be the last word in
power and efficiency. Authorized but
10 days ago to recruit to the full wal
strength Of $1,000 men, the navy al.
ready has almost attained the total
To, provide additional officers class
OF midshipmen has been graduated
three months ahead of its time. A
newly organized coast patrol OF sub
marine .chasers is on duty and hun
dreds Of small craft to augment it arc
under construction.
Army Preparations.
.Sfmy preparations are less complete
because Of the uncertainty over what
congress will authorize for that
branch Of the service. The regulars
nE
and equipped in a way which their Of.
ficers believe matches unit for unit
the boosted efficiency of Germany's
best. are ready to respond over nigh
to whatever call may come. The ma
tional guard. 100000 strong ant
border already has many units in ac,
tive service for police duty throughout
the country and can be fully mobilizet
on short notice. Without additions
authorization by congress the regular.
and guarlsmen could be recruited Il
combined strength Of 700 900 and dc
tailed plans for whatever larger arm!
may be authorized have been prepared
and great quantities Of equipment TO
it purchased.
industriaily.
Industrial preparations, thanks t
lessons of the war and the patriots
attitude of industry, have produced
great. compact scheme Of national re
sources, with almost unlimited posi-
biitics. The council of national dc
~, Io; fr, ,,,;t
TONS leading financial commercial
scientific and labor chiefs. not onl
has worked out a definite and detaile
mobilization plan but has secured tn
endorsement and pledges Of the me
who can put it into effect at mo
arms of the service the full resource
Of the richest nation, organized wit
characteristic Yankee skill and bust
ness thoroughness.
Work Day and Night.
For military reasons only Il sma
part of the detail of these preparation
has been permitted to reach the pub
lie. 1t is known, however. that tn
government has considered war MOI
than a year, and has strained Il
every resources to make ready. !
the tense waiting period since rela
lions were broken, the president. viii
hoping fervently that hostilities coul
be avoided, has kept the whole ma
chncry of the government in motto
day and night to prepare again
cvcntualitics. TO any close obscrv,
at the capital it now is apparent tn;
Germany again has misjudged If 81
thought to find the United Stat
hopelessly impotent and unprepare
The navy, in order to complete
record time the enormous buildir
program authorized by congress h;
enlisted in the public service virtual
the entire ship building facilities
the country.
In order to expedite naval constru
ton more than $100.O0O.0O0 authorize
by the last congress is to be spent
naval and private shipyards.
Submarine Nets Laid.