The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-03
STIMSON
SAYS WAR
IS UPON US
Provocation Is Great,
Declares Former
Secretary
GIVES TALK IN
COMMERCE BOARD
Points Out Real Peril
of Invasion BY
TeutOns

More than 1900 prominent De
uoit business men filled eveV
available inch OF space In the De
tToit Board OF Commerce at o'clock
Monday TO hear Henry L. Sumson
discuss tho issues Of the war. Fred:
eric r. Coudert. one OF the most
noted International lawyers in the
World. also spoke along similar lines.
Mr.. Stmfon was formerly score
tAry OF war and has always made a
careful study OF military matters.
He is az well equipped as any man
In the country to discuss the ques-
tons. The two noted orators APP
pear under the auspices OF the Ma.
tional Security league. with head
CHARTERS In New York city. They
WIN make a tour OF the middle west
before returning 10, New York
I'VE are On the threshold Of war, :"
kegAn Mt stimson. Our country
has been ordered off the sea ana
cur government rsfuses TO obey. As
q result We must meet our duties
and obligations. Sixteen OF our
ships have been attacked or sunk
because We insisted upon exercising
the right OF free men upon free
ocean. Nearly 200 OF our men. wo-
men and cnildren have lost their
lives for doing what they had a
right 90 do under laws~whicb have
existed for 500 years Never in any
OF our five great wars, or 10 all
OF them put together. has there been
for provocauon such an appalling
list OF atrocities as that which to
day We Law as Skndictment against
the German Empire"
Mr.. stimsCn said that back ~ this
there was the struggle between Ru-
tocracy anil democracy Into such a
struggle, he insisted. man or a
nation may we'll go with a lofty faith
and a burning Ardor.
The speaker admitted that II was
a serious thing TO go TO war with
the mightiest military nation OF the
world. and yet. he added. We sit
here discussing what We shall do.
whether We shall prepare our whole
strength or only portion Of n.
My friends. We should not sit here
so calmly but for a single circum.
stance. In sheltered harbor OF
the Hebrides. half hidden by mists
OF Scotland, lie some 80 grim wee
sells In their gray drab OF war. So
long as that feet ls intact we can
take our time. should A. fail or
should the coalition Of nations be
hind II fall apart We should not be
holding mass meetings. We should
BE- bling for our lives a. help
less as naked children before an
armed man"
Mr.. sumson said our feet was not
sufficient to protect our coast, and
there are very few places where an
invasion could not land with per
feet ease. He then showed how
simple Il would be for Germany 10
establish a line from Chesapeake TO
Lake Champlain, a line little longer
than n now holds IN France. Re
hind that line would be the great
railroad terminals. nearly all the
great munition plants, the capitals
of several states and the nation. the
richest cities on the continent and
$4,000 900 OF helpless people. In .
few weeks II could be. fortified 30
that Il could probably never be re-
gained.
The speaker went on to paint an
appalling picture OF American un.
preparedness from every point OF
view. ending with an appeal 10 get
busy and assist IN preparing the
country for the inevitable struggle.
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