The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-03-08
GERMANY VS.. UNITED STATES.
Military Expert Discusses Methods
That Might be Used in Case of War.


the conflict take? Will there be an
actual physical meeting OF the arm
ed forces OF the two nations or Will
the conflict be wholly at the distance?
Assuming that England retains
control of the seas, there are four
ways in which Germany could attack
the United States in addition to sink
ing American ships through the use
of submarines. These methods are:
l. Through the use of submarines
of the U-52 type, which might pene-
trate into the inner New York, Phila-
delphia or Boston harbors at night
and cause untold damage to shipping
before being chased away or sunk.
2. Through the fomenting of
plots in Mexico against the United
States and by the use of German gold
to incite the MeXicans to deeds of
violence along the border.
3. Through commerce raiders,
which might break through the Brit
ish North sea Gordon and create hav-
oc in shipping along the Atlantic sea-
board.
4. Through a separate peace with
Japan by which Japan might be in
duced to attack the United States
from the Pacific side or seize the
PHILIPPINE islands while the United
States fleet is in the Atlantic.
If Germany intends any offensive
measures against the United States
the first method would be by far the
most feasible. The U-53 has demon
strated that German submarine can
slip into an American harbor without
being seen until it chooses to make
it's presence known. 1t is also no
torious that the United States has
little defense against this kind of at
tack.
Of course, in the even of declara-
tion of war, all the harbors would be
mined and submarine would have
to run the risk of striking a mine
on its way into port. Then too, Unit
ed States destroyers would lead a
mosquito feet of vessels of all de-
scriptions, from launches to tug boats
and fishing vessels, which would
prove an effective patrol.
hoI a O O
tentatively for this feet, and the gen.
eral staff of the navy has already pre-
pared definite plans for it's formation.
If a submarine dared show itself
close in an American port it would
run the risk of being sunk, for there
is an ample number of ships in the
United States navy of submarine re-
pelling size to guard each harbor
along the Atlantic coast.
So far as known, no German sub
marine has ever penetrated British
farbor, because of the various defen-
sive measures taken, and it is believ-
ed the United States could, after
reasonable time in which to prepare,
feel safe from attacks of this sort.
The second method through which
Germany could attack the United
States is the most delicate and diff
cult of all problems which army Of
ficers have been called on to meet.
There is natural antipathy in Mex
lea toward the ''gringoes" and it
would not take much German gold to
start hundred plots in Mexico
against the United States.
1t is we'll known that there are
many German agents in Mexico, who
enjoy the confidence of all cliques
and all factions That these agents
would start to work Immediately
against the United States is not
doubted.
There are several ways in which
such an attack might be met. If
General Carranza should be persuad-
ed to declare war against the United
States it might be necessary to use
not only all the available regulars
but also Z large part OF the national
guard in Western States to invade
Mexico to such an extent as to make
Carranza raids in American territory
impossible.
Separate attacks on the United
States by various Mexican factions
would not be so hard to deal with.
1t is believed that a small force of
regulars, a traction of the number
that are on the border now, augment
ed in strength by the militia of sew
eral Southwestern States, would form
an effective border patrol. Then, too,
American citizens would be warned
to keep at a safe distance from the
border, so as to obviate protection
difficulties in the stress of other and