The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-03-30
WESTMINSTER, ND
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MAR. 30, 1911
ARE WF READY FOR WAR v

ARE WE READY FOR WAR
There is every probability that in "A
very short time Germany and this
country will be at war. While Ger
many may not be able to send force
tn land in this country, w. have seen
enough OT tha workings of these peo-
ple tC realize that if there ID "A decla-
ration of war between these countries.
we will know about it.
While the personnel OF both our
ARMY and navy may ~ exceedingly
high, and Of such character I'D to
ELICIT admiration, yet both are %
small and unprepared that they are
mot in condition to perform in the
smallest degree their duties. If war
is declared WI may look for trouble
Hn every section of this country a
the result Of German spies, and we
VIII have our hands full in protecting
our property. In addition to this
there are thousands of German reser-
visits, who are unable It'd get back to
their own country who will feel that
this ID their opportunity to show their
love for the 4sfather-land." We will
have cases Of murder, arson, uprisings
ana instructions in every part of this
country In addition to this W. may
look. Tor trouble from our neighbor,
Mexico.
We found it necessary when we
thought there would d. trouble in
Maxico to call Gor practically all the
militia liza the country, to aid our
standing army we know what hap
pened then, and we know 1t has been
generally conceded that this govern
mant was not in position To handle
Ghe mobilization Of few hundred
thousand men, If that was the con-
dition only a few weeks ago, what is
the condition if we would have call
for million men? we can only get
an answer I'D 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, A. what W. would
Iind aR a result Of our shOrtsighted-
NESS and the lack or preparation in
the time of peace.
When we realize that to take care OF
feW informed soldiers from some
German vessels that 1T IL necessary to
nall from the Mexican border an en-
tire regiment Or soldiers, We can
gather some idea Of the helpless con-
dition this country is in. It is all
VerT well 10 say that no country
would dare tO attack tha 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 49, invaded during this
war Or that she will not b. the next
great country attacked and invaded
after the European war is over. If
an eEpeditionary force should b. sent
to this country, md such thing is
rot Impossible OH improbable, and the
Atlantic sea coast should be attacked,
there is nothing that this country can
do to prevent its landing, and to pre-
vent nearly the entire Atlantic Sea
board being occupied by the invaders.
It is correct deduction from what
has taken place in Europe, and from
what can be expected to country as
wholly unprepared as the United
States. If troops can IN sent from
Australia to France, from Russia to
aid the Allies on the Western front
and an expeditionary force can be sent
from England and France to GallipoI
and obtain a landing On that fortified,
prepared mountainous peninsula, and
nearly defeat the Turks there il no
improbability in force being sent
from Europe to invade the United
States.
There is only one reason why this
force would not d. sent to this coun-
try, and that II Oh account Of the
present European conflict, If Ger
many is victorious, we may look for
our turn next, and if she is defeated
w. may have our hands full
with tine other European coun-
tries In maintaining the Monroe
doctrine. While outwardly we are
very close friends of Japan. we have
no assurance that she will not take
advantage or our unpreparedness
when this war - 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
tae necessity or making the United
States a prepared country and one
that IL always In position to main
tain what it considers to be the right.
s