The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-03-22
ArOL0GETIC PREPAREDNESS

The United States needs Co make
: every effort to prcpers itself for war.
1t will be ill-cnough prepared nj the
best, War may come n amy moment
II q state of peacc with Germany ex
lists, il IL one-sidcd. Germany is ready
to make war, hos already committed
acts Of war, against American com
mcrcc and life. Why is the Admins
tration so timid abogt facing the
facts, so eager TO diselaim or minimize
the necessary steps Of preparation?
The Militia Bureau Of the War De.
partment did its duty in sending the
Adiutants General OF the several
States instructions as TO the plan to
be pursued If the National Guard is
; called out FOR Federal service IIav-
ing Gone the right thing, why should
anybody be shamefaccd about it?
The Official notion was that the re-
.ceipt Of these instructions would be
kept secret. II could not be a secret
land il should not be. Is The mobiIiza-
ton, present or prospective, of the
militia, crime? Reports came to
Washington that mobilization was
thought to be imminent Whercupon
ds)artmcnt officials took the trouble
to explain that the instructions were
only routine measure of prepared
mess.
Docs the Administration regard the
cyistinG international situation as
routine situation? Is Il afraid to set
on odgc the nerves Of the pacifsts2
Is it afraid Of hurting Gcrmany's
feelings or Of communicating inform
alton to Germany? Germany's ten
dcrness for American feelings is no
torious, and her aversion 10 ascertain
ling the plans Of other Governments is
equally notorius. There is no danger
that Germany win be ignorant Of
open, there is only too much reason TO
fear that She will spy out our secret,
Iplans.
A Washington dispatch in Satur-
days Times contained this singular
passage:
1t was pointed out today that the
Government WIS going to considerable
expense 10 demobilize regiments re
turning from the border, which would
be held in the Federal service If an
other demand for their service were
expected Immediately. 1t was reiter
ated that the policy Of the Admins
tration was TO make no move that
could be construed as a warlikc step.
This policy, it is understood, is the
reason that mobilization Of the navy
has not been ordered. Many navy Of
fcialg have favored mobilization, but
it has not been approved by the Adj
ministration.
Every statement about prepared
ness sent from Washington bears this
ambiguous, apologize character,
Whatever Of benevolent desire or sub
tie hair-spitting inspires this furtive,
hesitant, and ashamed attitude about
preparedness, it is grave mistake
1t gives Germany false notion that
we are half hearted or afraid. 1t ir-
ritates patriotic sentiment. The Unit
ed States needs preparedness on gen
eral principles. II is not now propar
ing on general principles, but for an
emergency, for any event that any
day may bring forth. II is no routine
preparedness that is called for.
The sooner Germany and everybody
in the United States understand that
the United States means business, the
better. The sooner the Government
gets down to business and stops chi!d's
play, the better. At Governors Island
every Saturday about coo men, Plattf
burg graduates all, drill with broom
sticks. Every one Of the COO belongs
or is trying TO yet into the Reserve
Officers Corps. Every one If we went
TO war would have TO drill, say, hun
bred men. While he is preparing him
self for that task the Government will
not even lend him a rife, 20 he pro
vides himself with a broomstick! The
War Department has the rifles. Why
doesn't it let the Plattsburgers have
them? Is rife too warlike? H.
peace with broomsticks the motto Of
he War Department?
The country is sick Of follies Of that
sind, Of the bureaucratic inertia that
will not furnish manuals Of instrue
ions TO officers, Of all this fear 10 cal
Kings by their right names, lodging
# facts, broomstick preparedness
cave off half-measures and prepare
o the utmost with the best available
means and without caring a rap what
Germany or the Emergency Peace
Federation or anybody anywhere MAJ
.hink or say.--New York Times