The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-02-16

70 - Sahey h'0'Nb 'o'" ta'e ~
ort Of New York. The picture shows
fred
~~~~~~~-~~~~~~-~~~~
lars on the border recently sit up and
eat humble pie.
There are more civilian aviators than
there are regular army avators, and
from present indications the former are
more experienced.
The European war has shown that
it does not take long to instruct mill
tary aerial observers and these could
be trained in a short time.
Transport Difficulties Small.
AS for transport and quartermaster
corps there would be little or no diff
Guilty in finding plenty of business men
who would be capable of handling
these branches of service in fitting
manner. The system of supply and
transportation might be slow at first,
but when one is acquainted with the
fact that in New York state alone there
are 31O,457 automobiles, fully half of
which could be utilized as light or
heavy transport trucks, and the re-
GERS and for courier service, it will be
understood that there are no very great
obstacles in the way of supply trains.
Railroad transportation on account
of the length of our coast line would
present some difficulties at first, but
without doubt could be remedied with
great speed.
The mobilization of the manufacture
ing industries of the nation has already
been worked out by the authorities at
Washington.
OF men we have plenty. Materials
in the crude state we have sufficient.
but rifles, heavy artillery and ammu-
milton enough. let alone uniforms,
blankets, equipment, medical supplies,
ETC., are a different story.
The Red Cross has plenty of nurses
to put on the field for the first line
hospitals. Ambulance corps such as
were formed in France could be quick
ly put into commission and would un-
doubtedly do good service.
The militia of the country is prob
ably In better shape from a military
standpoint than it ever was in the his
toAy VI no Va SilLL.ilioi. IL ChtuSi
regular army officers were available to
distribute among the various COM
mands, it would be a fairly efficient
fighting force. Unfortunately there
are many officers in the militia of the
country who have no right from mill
tary or mental qualifications to wear
shoulder straps.
American Legion Intact.
The American Legion, while official
ly disbanded, is still intact. On the
books of the organization, which have
been preserved, are the names of some
IS 5000 men who have seen active serv-
ice in various parts of the world, ell
ther as officers or enlisted men. Cata-
logued under proper headings are about
80 600 men or boys who are experts ut
some trade necessary to the army.
There are telegraph operators, miners.
high explosive men, railroad engineers,
civil engineers, ammunition makers,
draughtsmen, wagon makers, automo-
bile mechanics and drivers, cowboys,
hotel stewards, men in all branches Of
life suitable for the commissary de-
partments, electricians etc. This list
should be Of decided value to the war
department.
These are but few Of the ways man.
ners, men and materials which can be
called into play If the country finds 1t
necessary.
In conclusion, would call attention
to the Boy Scouts of America, who
could help in the event of war in any
number of ways, and who, am sure,
would rise to the emergency in the
same plucky manner as their little
brother scouts have done in every coun-
try in Europe.
That the women of America would
shoulder their share of the burden, no
true American for q minute doubts;
they have done 1t in the past and can
do 1t in the future.
To mobilize all the Industries, men,
organizations, ETC., would of course re-
Quire more time than 1t has in the
countries of Europe, but it would be
done. The American people have q
habit Of taking lot for granted, but
when an emergency arises they gen.
orally are able to meet 1t.