Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1917-05-04
Public Safety Secure.

What might have happened in the
United States if it had been taken I'M
awares, say, two and half years ago,
as was Belgium, for instance, may be
better imagined than described. What
might have happened in the United
States il war had been forced upon 1t
two and IA half years ago with warn
ing as short as that received by France
and the United Kingdom, is something
that can be guessed, approximately, in
the light of the experience of those ma
tons. The pluck OF Belgium broke
the force of the blow intended for
France, and gave the United Kingdom
an opportunity to rally its forces hast
lily for defense against the thoroughly
organized war machinery of Germany.
More than a month interviewed, how
ever, between the onslaught upon
Liege and the reversal on the Marine,
and in that time France ard Great
Britain had to grapple, not only with
the foe in front, but with the fire in
the rear, for the German system of
espionage was menacing them on every
side.
The United States has had two and
u half years in which to learn some
thing of the methods of Prussian war
fare on land and sea. The American
Natin,, hoe itcalf 6iocOVarad and ron.
dered many of these methods innoc-
nous. TO be fOrwarned is to be fore.
armed, and, while the Prussian spy
may persist for some time within the
territory of the latest country to enter
the war. he and his works are now so
well known as to be accounted far less
dangerous than formerly. Although a
state Of war xists, and although the
country may be engaged actively, and
to the extent of its resources in men
and munitions. oversee, on the oceans,
and at home, in the greatest conflict
the world has known, the domestic
peace of the United States should not
be disturbed People will go about
their vocations and their avOcations as
usual There will probably be quite
as much travel as usual. Travelling
will. no doubt, be as safe and as
comfortable as usual. Nothing should.
and it is within bounds to say that
nothing will, interfere with the move
ments of the people, or with the legiti-
mate recreation and enjOymnt Of the
people, in the East or West, North or
South, on the coasts, or in the interior.
There is not, and there should not
at any time be, ground for timidity in
visiting the seashore. In Great Bri-
tain, which is insular. and naturally
far less immune to attack from the
sea than is the United States. or Can
ada, few. if any. people have avoided
the wateringplaces. since the outbreak
of the war. from any fear of lombard
ment.
There is not the least probability of
German invasion of the United
States. No matter what the alarmists
may say, the landing of IA German
force on the shores of that country
is not nationally thinkable Nor is
there any likelihood that the coasts
or cities of the United States will be
bombarded, The war is not going to
be fought in the waters or on the land
embraced within the boundaries of the
United States.
1t will be an excellent thing if every
citizen performs his duties, attends to
his business, goes about his affairs,
takes his vacation, and pursues his in
clinations in full confidence. and in
the consciousness of Il right to virtual
~ the same freedom of action to
which he is entitled in time of peace.
If he is needed by the country he will
be called Meanwhile. he can serve
best by doing his part and letting the
government manage the war. Public
safety in the United States is secure.
Christian Science Monitor.