Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-23
lars on the border recently sit up al
eat humble pie.

lars on the border recently sit up and
eat humble pie.
There are more civilian aviators than
there are regular army aviators, and
from present indications the former are
more experienced.
The European war has shown that
it does not take long to instruct mill
tary aerial observers and these could
be trained in short time.
Transport Difficulties Small.
AS for transport and quartermaster
corps there would be little or no diff
Guilty in finding plenty Of business men
who would be capable of handling
these branches of service in fitting
manner. The system of supply and
transportation might be slow at first,
but when one is acquainted with the
fact that in New York state alone there
are 31O,457 automobiles, fully half of
which could be utilized as light or
heavy transport trucks, and the re-
mainder converted into cars for Off.
GERS and for courier service, it will be
understood that there are no very great
obstacles in the way Of supply trains.
Railroad transportation on account
of the length of our coast line would
present some difficulties at first, but
without doubt could be remedied with
| great speed.
The mobilization of the manufactur-
ing industries of the nation has already
been worked out by the authorities at
| Washington.
OF men we have plenty. Materials
| In the crude state we have sufficient,
but rifles, heavy artillery and ammu.
milton enough, let alone uniforms,
blankets, equipment, medical supplies,
ETC., are a different story.
The Red Cross has plenty Of nurses
to put on the field for the first line
hospitals. Ambulance corps such as
were formed in France could be quick
ly put into commission and would un.
doubtedly do good service.
The militia of the country is prob.
ably in better shape from a military
standpoint than it ever was in the his
tory of its organization. If enough
regular army officers were available tt
distribute among the various com
mands, it would be a fairly efficient
fighting force. Unfortunately there
are many officers in the militia of thu
country who have no right from mill
tary or mental qualifications to weal
shoulder straps.
American Legion Intact.
The American Legion, while official
" disbanded, is still intact. On tn
books of the organization, which hav
been preserved. are the names of som
, $4,000 men who have seen active ser7
ice in various parts of the world, ei
ther as officers or enlisted men. Cata
logued under proper headings are abou
$4,000 men or boys who are experts a
some trade necessary to the arm,
There are telegraph operators, miner!
high explosive men, railroad engineer.
civil engineers, ammunition makers
! draughtsmen, wagon makers, automt
bile mechanics and drivers, cowboy
: hotel stewards, men in all branches {
, life suitable for the commissary d,
: partments, electricians. etc. This II;
: should be Of decided value to the wa
department.
These are but few Of the ways, mai
O. ners, men and materials which can b
!. called into play If the country finds
necessary. g 5s.
3 In conclusion, I would call attentio
q to the Boy Scouts Of America, WI
could help in the event of war in an
number Of ways, and who, am sur
T. would rise to the emergency in Il
n same plucky manner as their lit
!. brother scouts have done In every cou
a try in Europe.
f That the women Of America woul
y shoulder their share Of the burden, Z
+ true American for minute doubts
l. they have done it in the past and ca
o 1 do it in the future.
l. To mobilize all the industries, me
organizations, etc, would Of course +
l. quire more time than it has In Il
n countries Of Europe, but it would |
q done. The American people have
# habit Of taking lot for granted, bl
f when an emergency arises they ge
l. orally are able to meet it.