Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25
Awake!

IF is gratifying, and comforting as well, 10
i learn that Governor Stuart without the
special action OF the General Assembly, has
all the power necessary TO protect Virginia
and Nirsinians against the treucherous at
tacks of lurking enemies. If this be So
and we have the Governors word for it--lCt
him use that power for war is upon us now.
1t goes without saying that Virginia is
not going 10 be invaded. That an army will
be landed on our coasts is a danger SO remote
as to be negligible. Germany can wage war
on the United States in but two ways
through submarines and through internal
frghtfulncss, committed by hordcs of agents
and sympathZcrs within our own borders Is
there Il thinking man. who has read the his
tory Of the last thirty months who doubts
for moment that Germany will utilize tho
only weapons which can be directed against
America S breast?
We are sleeping on the edge Of a volcano.
We face warfare no less real and no less
calamitous because it will be waged by
prisoners and bomb throwcrs rather than by
uniformed soldiers. Tho foes against whom
we must guard are no less dangerous because
they wear civilian garb and speak in terms OF
friendship rather than In terms of hostility
Britain at the outbreak of war, found her
cities and towns--evcn her villages and ham
lcts-honeycombcd with disoyalty. Agents
of the German espionage system were every
where They did great damage and caused
great losses before they could he rounded up
and lntcrned. What is there to make us be-
heve, or permit us TO believe, that VIC shall
find ourselves in happier situation?
Nothing. All the evidence, direct and
circuInsta ntial. proves that the spy system
in the United States is quite as extensive as
it was in England. The national government
is doing what it to meet this menace
but the government Secret Service is wholly
inadequate. The danger lives and grows
The Times Dispatch speaks with caution and
restraint, with knowledge of the facts, and in
q spirit or solemn responsibility when ii
warns Richmond and Virginia to protect their
heritage. Every private citizen should add
himself TO the corps Of public defenders
Before the sun sets Richmonds water
supply and the bridges across the james River
should be Datrollcd by armed guards sui
hclent III number TO offer a real guarantee of
safety our gas and clcctrc-lighting plants
should have like protection What is true
OF Richmond is true TO an even greater OK
tent of Norfolk. Portsmouth and Newport
News. for they arc more Immediately ncccs-
sary TO the national defense
Shall we wait until the damage is doncn
Shall we continue to dream dreams while tho
enemy crouches at our gates, or hides him
self among our own people? Shall We permit
ourselves TO be hypnotzed by Il fancicd
security? II is unthinkablc
Awake, Firginians! Lcok to yourselves
and to your loved ones! Remember Belgium
and South Africa, and the ravishcd cities of
france! Recall a hundred outraecs com
United In your own country, while that coun
try was at peace, and think then what Won
may expect whom war is declared The time
Is short. The Hateful hour approaches fast
Cast of your sloth and Quit yourselves like
men!