El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-13

IF NEW circumstances force US to accept war with
Germany to safeguard our national welfare, 1t should
= he on our part. a defensive war, aimed TO safeguard
he lives of our people now and in the future, and inclden-
tally protect our lawful commerce.
Under no circumstances should we ally ourselves Win
the entente allies now fighting against Germany, or give
them any more help than We are now giving them our
quarrel Is not their quarrel. We shall have no more reason
TO iou them hereafter than we have had any DAY SINCE
the great war began. Americans should ugidly exclude nom
consideration any idea that we may make val against
GERMANY to serve England's purposes, OF to "aVenge BEL
zium.n or TO "free the Poles" or for any other reason except
the necessity that may arise for Us 10 defend ourselves
against intOlerable aggression. America cannot saeIy "
wisely mix In with EurOpes quarels. we nave enough
problems of our own, and we must aeiena our v af.nd & T.
to peace" for nobody else can be depended on 10 oeIena II
So If we have to make wal, let 1t be our war, to be kept
free from thought Of revenge for what Is past revenge y
too petty, unscientific, and proiltleSs), out whGn sn1l ~
intended to safeguard our people now, and snah De Iouent
to a conclusion with 4 view to establishing a useful pIec-
edent and teaching the world TO respect Americas PO"ei
and readiness to defend herself
II * generally thought IN this country that a war with
Germany at this time would be a very one-Sided affair,
fought entirely on the sea and even then without an oPpor-
tunity to bring capital ships into action at any time ouI
Al with France is cited-a very considerable war winch
lasted from 1898 TO 1900 and resulted IN sea losses on DOM
sides but which is now practically forgotten That war
involved no land fighting, but 1t Just so happeheu INA.
France at the time was in the midst OF a great political
crisis and the domestic upheaval threw the Amencan waI
into the shade. A new administration" N France maze
peace as soon as it could get 10 it.
II Is not a fair comparison. The Germany OF To-Day Is
NOT the France of 1898. And there were few French citizens
in the United States at that time, too Few 10 create mgcn
OF a domestic problem over here. In the United states t9aay
there are probably hundreds OF thousands OF unnatuIaiHeul
Germans. Austrians, and even Turks and Buigauans, OF
military age. able bodied, and most OF them mihtany
trained. While the naturslized Teutons and SlsVs OF me
central empires viii prove loyal, patriotic, and elilcieht
citizens Of their adopted country IN time OF war without
a doubt. the problem Of the unnaturahzed citizens OF the
central empires who as yet know no country but tnat o.
their fathers. Is not so easy 10 dispose o.
The United States does not contemplate adopting general
internment Of enemy aliens in time Of war. But II VIII De
necessary to maintain constant watchfulness lest 1anaucal
sympathizers of the powers with which We may be at val
shall perpetrate lawless acts IN this country. Merely 10
perform adequate police and guard duty IN the United
States IN time Of war with a first class power VIII require
100000 10 100000 extra men, while the navy and tne army
must be filled I'D at least to their theoretical war strength.
There must be some reserve. The immediate enrolment OF
100000 new men IN case OF war, and their swift and lnten-
sve training and practical employment as needed, VIII be
necessary. This is far from meeting the present military
need of the country, but the statement VIII do as a minimum
requirement.
Perhaps it would be well for Americans to recall to mind
Gen. Leonard Woods statement that during our second war
with Great Britain there were never more than 1900
the raising of an army Of $4,000 men on our side 70 right
the war through.
When we start 4 war, we start something we can't see
the end OF. 1t is safe TO say that the country as a whole
Is looking at the thing rather carelesSly, and fails to COM
prehend the enormous importance Of the decision We may
soon have to make. At once certain elemental maxms OF
military strategy come into play; one must always assume
that the enemy has reserve power, that he is as acute and
as brave as you are, that he knows your weak points better
than you do, that ne viii strike at your weakest spot, that
ne has considered all the conditions and consequences, and
that he has provided against any move you can make NO
ming OF strength. Americans who think they can take on
a war with Germany as they take on Nicaragua or Santo
Domingo, are not safe advisers.
Ordinary precaution makes II necessary that We should
prepare for a long war and a hard war, on land and sea,
If We 90 in at all It viii be unfortunate II We take the
step and onlv then begin 10 count the cost. Even d more