The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-14
MOTOR CAR
RESERVE
FEASIBLE
/ IN - ~ -
Formation Would Insure
Speedy transportation Of
Troops-$ $50, 900 For
Squadron.

The use Of motor cars in the Euro
pean war and in the Mexican campaign
has taught many useful lessons and
suggested interesting ideas, says Eu-
gene M. Travis. comptroller Of the
state Of New York. The possibility of
defeating a sudden raid Of the enemy
along approximately ten thousand
miles Of the coast Of the United States
depends very largely not only on the
number OF men who could be concen-
trated at given point, but also upon
the rapidity of this concentration. The
truth OF this statement must be obvious
when 1t IN considered that If a hostile
force could land on our shores q few
hours after a declaration Of war. 1t
might do SO. and, after a march Of a
few miles inland. could conquer suffl-
cient effective trenches to render itself
safe against sudden attacks and infan-
try fire. making the difficulty Of de-
feating 1t greatly increased.
Again, were the enemy able to adj
vance further inland. seizing on their
way some cities or villages where sup
plies could be obtained. 1t might be
very difficult indeed to eject the raid
ers II in large numbers. or arrest their
progress, without an overwhelming
superior force. But If. on the other
hand. a hostile fleet with it's transports
were signalled to be present off a pos
sible landing place and rapid con-
centration Of even q few thousand in
fantry and q few batteries could take
place, not only would such a landing
be very much more difficult and pro-
longed, but it might be prevented al
together.
Now. to get troops rapidly to the
coast, either railways or motors must
w~Iwv l.
undeniable that, for very long distances
the railways might be as rapid a means
of conveyance. nevertheless. motor cars
could transport troops more quickly
to any strategical point on the coast
than would be possible with the best
arrangements capable Of being made
by the railways. 1t Is clear. therefore,
that the utilization of motor transports
for mobilization is a matter which
should be given more attention in this
country. Formerly they were used
largely for staff purposes. but during
the present European struggle their
efficiency has been sufficiently demon
strated to warrant immediate adoption
here as the first step in the national
preparedness campaign.
-. Owners Should Organize.
A prompt organization. however, Of
individual motor owners in this coun-
more than 100000. would probably be
best enlisted through the agency Of the
clubs. especially now, when the feeling
OF patriotism and Of the need Of prep
aration for national defense every
where runs high. AS to the possibility
of collecting large number OF cars
for immediate use on Long Island and
along the Jersey coast, there are at
present in New York City and its i'm
mediate vicinity nearly 100000 regis
tered machines. Nearly all of these
cars are capable Of being used for
transporting armed forces. so that it
may be said that IL only 10 per cent
organized as to be OF use within a few
hours. in case Of being called out at
a time Of national emergency, it would
mobile public to provide.
gard to mobilization by motor cars
which should not be forgotten. The
cars having conveyed the troops to the
vicinity, they could remain
at some convenient place to await fur
Their developments. If the first infor-
nation proved to be inaccurate and
the enemy attempted to land else
where. the troops could be moved with
a speed equal to that with which the
enemy was being conveyed in his
along the coast. In this |
especially has the battle |
field been fairly tested. for until the |
present conflict there had been no mill |
tary campaigns in which good roads |
have been available since the motor |