New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
PREPAREDNESS FOR CONGRESSMAN
An Admirer of Ding's Cartoons and Tribune
Letters Shows How to Fight for Peace

To the Editor Of The TRIBUNE.
Sir: ! get my inspiration largely from
YOUR valued paper. especially from the 'e"-
ing cartoons of Ding. He is doing for our
country what Tom Mast did for 1t during 'he
Civil War. Pictures speak louder than WORDS
and Dings wonderful hits are truly educA-
tlonal.
read many of the communications o.
YOUR contributors and find much Original
thought and many wise suggestions IN 'hehi'
but il has been impressed upon me tha'' "'
a means to an end, they fall short Oh ac-
complishing anything for the common good'
am convinced that # many Of your readers
would write their Congressman, giving them
the aid of their views and suggestions
thew might arouse the Congress 70
some action that Will help TO insure Peace
bv Preparedness for, as it looks to me- the
only way we shall ever have peace u "
fighting for It. O.
The following is the type Of letter to Con-
gressmen which appeals TO me as being more
effective than reiterating TO your reaueiS
views which every one OF US already shateS.
ACCOMPANIED by few Of Ding's "ohueILu'
plctures such messages should inspire 'hdl-
yiduals among the Congressman TO wake
up and do something. ,,,,,,
FERDINAND FISH.
Larchmont, " Y, Feb. 10, 1917.
Hon James w. Hustled, NJ. c., Washington
d. c.
Nv Dear Congressman: Having leisure, be-
ing remote from the scene Of activities form
ing impressions from what ! read IN 'he
nanors and possessed with the common zeal
If all true americans TO help solve some
Of the prob!ems Of the hour. | send you
few thoughts which may be helpful IN snap
INC YOUR views or at least expressing inc
desires Of your constituents.
Our government has the reputation oil Ig-
norng American inventions, which, however
are recognized by other nations, as IN the ea'e
Of the new Lewis gun. As view IL, our
only salvation nation must rest Oh
Yankee ingenuity. for t Will take more years
to complete batt.eships and other deIe"ces'
organize an army and develop our navy
than it has taken the Administration 70 De-
gin to think about preparedness.
As I view it, our danger IS increasing
daily. We are being surrounded by enemies
Tho revolt in Cuba, the exodus of Germans
there and to South America, the presence OIL
a German base in Brazil, and, no doubt, one
+, the Gulf Of California, the activities OF
Carranza and a commission in Japan with
60 OO0O in gold seeking to purchase
ships. disturbances IN the Philippines
the apparently studied purpose OF Germany
TO involve us-all these things should warn
Congress that our very life is at stake. Ger
many has more TO gain by war with US imam
she has to lose. We are ripe to be plueNed
of billions in ransom by any nation clever
enough to do what she has done.
The latest submarine exploit is the pom
harding of coast cities in unprotected quar-
ters We have many such What new be-
devilment may be brewing IN German ship
wards does not leak out, but almost any
thing IS possible, as Germany cultivates the
ingenuity Of its inventors.
one thing stands out prominently. We are
on the verge Of war if not actually IN IT,
We have been at war with Mexico and are
not vet through with that experience. Inc
seene of conflict may move to our continent
any day on short notice, and we are seem
ingly at any rate, no nearer condltloh
Of preparedness than we were when the
world was on fire and sparks flying every
where" now nearly two years ago.
inclose a few clippings covering the
poiuts have sought to make, which may
have escaped your notice. Also some pictures
which sneak louder than words
This letter calls for no acknowledgment.
Spend the time in pressing for action.
am sure that is the wish OF every man you
represent in the Congress.
~ II =