El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-13
WE MUST FIGHT OUR OWN WAR
AND PREPARE FOR SURPRISES
(BY H. D. S.

or less technical state of war with Germany, under modern
conditions and with all the varied lines of preparation that
must be covered, viii cost the United States not Tar from
100000 a day, say S3,5oooOoooo in a year mat would
impose a very considerable tax burden on everybody.
Our war with Germany may go on for many years. 1t
viii not necessarily cease with the European war II may
even increase in intensity after that war IS over It may
be patched up by a temporary peace and break out all over
again when Germany RECEIVERS some Of the strength she
has lost. Our war with Germany may come to an end before
into trouble with other powers. We are entering a dangerous
field and we must be prepared for accidents.
By being tremendously, overpoweringly strong, and ready,
we shall be the better prepared TO maintain peace with all
nations, both during and after this wal.
opr aim should be, not isolation, but independence. This
should guide US in all international relations. We should not
Join in any formal alliance with the entente allies, or win
neutrals. or abandon our independent course. We must steer
clear of anv alliances that might entangle US IN European
or Asiatic quarrels. Not isolation but seiI-Teilant lnde-
ne7dence-that is the line of true safety and highest
Ps-;o1sI ueIfare for This republic- Let us promote social
and commercial intercourse, but avoid political alliances
of any sort. We must make ourselves Independent OF them
in war as in peace.
If we should 90 to war against Germany, we ought
Immediately augment our effective naval and military
strength to place our land and sea establishments somewhat
on a parity with those of the great nations now at var
II we get into the game we must study our possible oPpo-
nents and prepare to contest with them. we nou SeLe
fully consider our rights as against England also, ana we
should be a little less compliant under her repeated VIOLA
tons of our rights and her disregard OF all law when does
not suit her convenience. So long as we ngioIy observe
all the rules, we should be prepared to prevent other players
from taking unfair advantage.
incidentally 10 our naval war against Germany, we
should carry on a hostile campaign against all submarines
or other German war vessels menacing our sea lanes to
Europe. South America. or Asia. This sort Of work, II we
are really TO protect our commerce, VIII require an immense
Of small naval craft, which must be bought OF 5ult
quickly at great expense, and armed and manned, : task oy
no means easy. But our defensive war, for the present,
would consist chiefly of this mosquito fleet" work at sea,
coupled with police work and extensive army creating oPer-
atoms on land. The task at sea would OF course be very
dangerous and the frequent losses OF ships would have TO
be made up from reserves.
If we 90 in, it must be With the will to keep at It until
Germany Shall have been made to realize the extent Of the
injury she has done to US, forced to yield such money
damages as may be deemed e%xpedient to demand OF her,
and led to accept a new rule to outlaw in the submarine
war Of the future so far as possible those methods which
have made the German campaign IntoleTable TO neutrals.
Let no American think that this will all come easily We
should prepare TO remain in a state Of wal with Germany
for the next 20 years, should that be necessary. We may
even have war internationally. 1t is safe TO say that Ger
many will not soon forgive or forget what she VIII naturally
regard as a deadly injury basely inflicted at 4 time when
she is sorely beset and fighting against tremendous odds
for existence. She knows how she can avoid this possibility,
but her state of mind cannot be ignored when we, however
secure in our moral and legal position, make our plans Tor
the future.
1t IS fully as necessary TO prepare for the almost
inevitable difficulties with England and maybe other powers
This is likely to come after We seem to abandon our present
pro-ally attitude as a people and set out on an independent
a really formidable naval and military force, We can count
on arousing the jealousy and hostile suspicion OF England
and Japan at least, in addition to Germany.
When we decide 10 enter upon a war against Germany,
we must prepare to take on new responsibilities far greater
than any we have ever seriously thought OF assuming 1t
is necessary that we prepare in a big way-in domains naval.
military, economic, industrial, financial, governmental, and
spiritual
Tomorrow The Herald mill develop a little further The
idea of national preparation. and indicate the line Of inter
national policy ne must folop # ne deem our right 10
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