Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-02
sHfzAs BENG MAOEzEv 5TZoDNs. 6r EoeE7oW c0ZW7aE7

to shore above below San Tranclsco-If they
were fast enough-and land troops. But what
could the troops do?
They might ravage a few California towns
and probably would. They could never cross
the mountain ranges that lie between them and
this section of the country. The nightmare that
seems to exist in some California minds, about
Japan getting a foothold on our shores and
holding all the country west of those ranges
reckons entirely without our fleet The fleet could
easily go through the Panama Canal and Japan
has nothing ahoat, yet. that could whip
cur ships. II Japanese actually landed they
might prove a valuable asset in building good
roads on the Western coast. for they surely
would be made prisoners when the American
ships shut off their source of supplies. More
over those who had invaded the California
towns and stood them their heads" prob
ably would have uncomfortable time of It.
japan VIII not be likely to invade California
In hurry, except by way of sending peaceful
workers over here--and the American immi-
grafton laws have good deal to say about that
But suppose war actually should start with
some nation. What would be done in an in
land city like st. Louis?
To begin with. plans have already been pre-
pared and are on file in every army office SHOW
ing what steps would be taken. In any case
where declaration of war is proclaimed, there
is a lawless element that tries to plunder por-
tions of communities when the male defenders
are sent to the front.
In New York. when drafting was attempted
during the civil war; serious riotlng occurred
The irresponsible element thought 1t was a good
time for outbreaks and tried anarchy They
were quickly suppressed.
The plan laid out by the War Department Is
simple. We have many men in this country
who know how to use firearms and who are ex-
pert shots with rifles and revolvers although
they never have had military training Many of
these men own weapons of their own.
In Germany and Austria, during the present
war troops or the regular army are said 10
have been used to keep down disorders in soms
sections of the country. This might be neces.
sary in the United States in case OF war IL
there is a large foreign-born population in any
city.
Ihe plan devised is to have all citizens pos.
sessing rifles or shotguns and who wish to serve
their own government turn those weapons in 70
sumo pranch established by the army and to
nave another weapon issued in exchange
For instance, one leading manufactorv OF naa
peating firearms has announced that more than
100000 guns of the 44-40 caliber-a tyne Of
weapon developed in 1S73-had been issued A
1920 model and 3s-40 model also were nut ON
the market at the same time and had heavy
sales Ammunition for such weapons can be
obtained everywhere
II fifty weapons of 44-4O eaIiber can be col.
lected from citizens who wish to form ''home
guard" they will be issued to one company Au
ammunition win be taken in at the same time.
Thus every man in the company win have the
same type of gun. The owner will be given =
receipt for his own weapon. if It happens to he
of different caiber. and it will be issued to an.
other man.
The fact that the average American is accus.
toned to the use of firearms would pkpve ef
value in time OF War. Men who would be hops
lessly retired in other countries because OF theiF
lack Of knowledge Of weapons could readily be
made into "home guard here