The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-03-30
WESTMINSTER, MD.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MAR. 30, 1917
ARE WE READY FOR WAR }

ARE WE READY FOR WAR
There is every probability that in
very short time Germany and TINS
country will be at war. While Ger
MANY may not be able to send force
to land in this country, we have seen
enough of the workings of these peo-
pie to realize that if there is decla-
ration of war between these countries,
we will know about it.
While the personnel of both our
army and navy may be exceedingly
high, and of such character as 10
elicit admiration, yet both are so
small and unprepared that they are
not in a condition to perform in the
smallest degree their duties. If war
is declared We may look for trouble
i'm every section of this country as
the result OF German spies, and we
will have our hands full in protecting
our property. In addition to this
there are thousands of German reser-
visits, who are unable to get back to
their own country, who will feel that
this is their opportunity to show their
love for the "father-land." We will
have cases of murder, arson, uprisings
and instructions in every part oil this
country In addition to this we may
look for trouble from our neighbor,
Mexico.
We found it necessary when we
thought there would be trouble in
Mexico to call for practically all the
militia in the country, to aid our
standing army. We know what hap
pened then, and we know 1t has been
generally conceded that this govern
ment was not in a position TO handle
the mobilization of d few hundred
thousand men. If that was the con-
dition only Il few weeks ago, what Is
the condition if We would have call
for a million men? We can only get
an answer to this question by reading
accounts of what happened in Russia.
Troops improperly clothed, underfed,
without adequate ammunition, and in
want of nearly everything to make
good fighting man, is what we would
find as a result of our shOrtsighted-
ness and the lack Of preparation in
the time OF peace.
When we realize that to take care OF
a few informed soldiers from some
r. INV fol
call from the Mexican border an en-
tire regiment of soldiers, we can
gather some idea of the helpless con-
dition this country is in. 1t is all
very we'll to say that no country
would dare to attack the United
States, and for this reason make no
preparation for war. No one thought
Germany would have the nerve to
fight Russia, France and England. We
have no assurance that the United
States will not be invaded during this
war or that she will not be the next
great country attacked and invaded
after the European war is over. If
an eXpeditiOnary force should be sent
to this country, ard such a thing is
not impossible or improbable. and the
lAtlantic sea coast should Ec attacked,
there is nothing that this country can
do to prev ut its landing. and to pre-
vent nearly the entire Atlantic Sea
board being occupied Ey the invaders.
1t is a correct deduction from what
has taken place in Europe. and from
what can be expected to a country as
wholly unurepared as the United
States. If troops can be sent from
Australia to France, from Russia to
all the Allies on the Western front
and an eXpeditiOnary force can he sent
from England and France to GallipOli
and obtain a landing on that fortified.
prepared mountainous peninsula, and
nearly defeat the Turks, Their" is no
improbaEility in force ing sent
from Europe to invade the nited
States.
There il only one reason why this
force would not be sent to this COun-
try, and that is on account of the
present European conflict. II Ger
many is victorious, we may look for
III turn next, and if she is defeated
G nay have our hands full
with the other European coun-
tries in maintaining The Monroe
doctrine. While outwardly We are
very close friends of Japan, we have
10 assurance that she will not take
advantage of our unpreparedness
when this war is over and settle some
very old scores against us.
What We must all do in every sec
ton OF this country is to wake up to
the necessity of making the United
States a pr pared country and one
that j. always in position to main
tain what it considers to be the right