American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-04-26

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Leslie's Weekly publishes an article
hy william ". Crawford which sets
forth some things that should make
people thoughtful. The demagogue
and the coward are twin weaknesses
N democratic governments. Every.
forthcoming We have can be traced TO
them. Al the head OF the article the
editor 90 Lesile's runs this explana-
tory note. The facts IN this article
All not be news 10 the enemy. though
millions OF Americans are ignorant or
the true condition OF our military al
fairs. Since "A democracy may wage
effectively only through a full
and accurate public appreciation OF tho
military situation. Lealie's deems II a
duty 10 place before IT, readers this
analysis Of poisonous weakness and
the antidote. The author, Mr.. Craw-
ford. comes from a family which has
served this country for many gener-
aiiona."
The part Of AR. Crawford's article
which should make Americans think,
aud which should make them more
patriotic and less partisan, Is as fol-
lows:
war has comet has found as woe
fully unprepared. Under the influ-
ence OF the p%acihsts, our government
has passively awaited this hour with
out making due preparation to meet
Il. Trusting 10 good luck or the ben
eyolent Influences OF a kindly fate 10
steer No safely past the danger that
has confronted as since the beginning
of she world war. We have depended
upon a Bryaneaque army Of a million
men that Wna 90 spring up, Minerva.
ike. FUN panoplied and %arrayed fol
service. Unfortunately for us. these
are cruelty material times. Soldiers
don't just happen. Munitions and or
dance cannot be produced i%nstantel
by act OF congress; but now that th'
die is cast 20 Is our dpty to determine
Immediately The state OF u UMPIRE
%pnrcdness. face 10 %squaroly and adop
at once the best means TO remedy. al
far as possible. our past negligence.
What is our present condition. II
what position are we TO face an enem,
Who has 81 modern, woll-equipped
Well-trained army? We're II not 70
the fact that our helplessness was al
ready known 10 the enemy. | would no
/ relate this pltiful tale OF incompetency
! Unfortunately. be Is better acqualnt
cd with our weaknesses than We ar
Ourselves. Our people have been lOl
led into a sense OF false security b.
men influenced by an overdevelopeI
desire for peace OF by Interior mo
lives.
Ia the first place-we have but it'll
modern" artillery. Our coast torti
ncations are entirely inadequate an
antiquated. For Instance. the car
rlages upon which the guns are bull
will allow them TO be fred only at al
elevation OF from Is to 20 degrees
This limits their range. In order /
Increase the elevation TO 40 or 80 dc
gfees, the necessary angle for effec
tive service. new carriages must b
built. This will take more than
years time Il might have been don
al any time since August. 1914 Gu
coast is inadequately defended. Their
ARE on the Atlantic coast. alone, NOR
than $50 harbors without any FORTH
cations at all. where an enemy coui
land troops without a single gun
oppose him. The fortihcations tina
We have are undermanned. The coas
artillery has leAs than one-third Oh
mon required TO man the forts proper
~. Somebody has Numbered.
We have little modern" artillery
suneh guns as we have are best suit
% for training purposes for amateu
soldiers on dress parade. They woul
make Tine Fourth Of July exhibits
Fourteen guardsmen arrived Satui