Perth Amboy evening news., 1917-06-29

1t Is all well enough to talk about
patriotism and the desire to serve
ones country. but even the most
loyal among us need some inspira-
ton to stir the blood and arouse the
fervor that impels us to heroic action.
you can't get enthusiasm out of log.
The War Department seems to ex-
lpect us to be aroused to fever heet
over the war without knowing any
thing about the war. Such an atti-
tude is ridiculous.
We think that, considering tho
little that the American people have
had to stir them. they have shown
a wonderful amount of enthusiasm.
In all other wars there has been the
excitement of seeing the troops get
ting ready; there have been the re-
views and parades as the boys march
off to the front with flags flying ana
bands playing; there have been the
cheers and demonstrations In every
town and village to inspire those who
are departing and to stir within the
breasts of those who are left behind
the desire to fall in" also. In this
war, however, all of this is lacking.
We are supposed to leave all of that
inspiration to our Imagination. We
+; are supposed to take things for
granted and then get realJ excited
over 1t. But such thing is contrary
to human nature.
| As a matter of fact, we believe
that no harm would be done if the
Regiments that are about to depart
for France were marched down Fifth
avenue In New York to let the people
see their own boys before they go.
There is nothing that will stir the
blood, or touch the very soul of man
more than to see fine body of SOL
diers with flags flying and drums
beating, marching off to war. But all
this opportunity to arouse the Amer
lean people is lost. And, 1t would
seem, the War Department would not
even grant the small satisfaction of
knowing. the boys were actually In
France, even after they have safely
arrived.
Our troops are assembled under
the greatest secrecy. The trains
bearing them to the port for embark
Ing creep into the station under cover
OF darkness Not sound is made
aside from the putting of the engines.
Not even light not necessary for
the operation of the trains is shown.
The men march aboard the ships at
night, and, in the cold gray of the |
early morning, the vessels slip their
hawsers and creep silently out to sea. |
There is not a cheer, not even a faro |
well excepting the farewell that the
soldier himself bids to his native land
as 1T fades from view. Thousands OF |
peoPle llylngg- -lnAfhe Immediate viciniNf
ty of all these activities do not even
know what is going on And yet we |
are all supposed to become greatly |
aroused and show our enthusiasm in |
great outbursts of patriotism. But
even the high spirited American
needs something real to get excited |
about. Under the circumstances. we |
feel that the American people are
doing very well.
AS a matter of fact. Germany |
knows-we all know-that from now
on troops of the United States will be |
moving across the Atlantic in q con-
slant stream. The safety of these
troops rests not in the secrecy sur
rounding their departure, for that |
has got to be known to great many !
people even with all the precautions. |
but to the powerful convoy of battle |
ships that accompany them. This |
pelng the case, it Is a question |
whether mistake is not being made
In depriving the American people OF |
the privilege of seeing the soldiers
pass by on their way to the ships. |
To see regiment after regiment of |
our weather-seasoned regulars march |
Ing down Fifth avenue would do |
more to increase enlistments than |
all the patriotic meetings that can /
ever be held, and the good to be de- |
rived from such a demonstration in
the way of arousing the American
people to the fact that the country
is really at war. would far offset any
damage that might be done by tho
publicity given
Ii the people are to be aroused 10 |
the full meaning of this war they |
have got to have the war actually
brought before their eyes. With the
lighting going on 5000 miles away.
the only way to accomplish this is TO
parade the troops on the way to the
front. Far from adopting such a
policy however. Secretary of War
Baker becomes incensed when even
the news of the arrival of the troops
In France is published, and sets In i
omtion movement to see that such
information is not given out again. i
We can only imagine what would be
the situation. as far as the American