The Coconino sun., 1917-03-02
BEST EDITORIAL OF THE DAY
Douglas Dispatch)
World May Be Given Surprise

the United States during the last two
 years has left the impression with
 many persons at home and abroad
 that this nation is great big collec-
 ton of people at the mercy of any
 aggressive power that might seek to
 encroach upon its rights. It is the
 belief of many that either Japan or
 Germany easily could land a vast
 army on American soil, subjugate the
 whole country and hold it for years
 and years. The navy had been held
 up to utter scorn, and the army de-
 vided in every conceivable way. Even
 the patriotism of the people has been
 challenged.
 This opinion most assuredly was
 entertained at Berlin; for, just as the
 notification was given that unrestrict.
 ed sea warfare would be waged, word
 came from Germany that the kaiser's
 statesmen were confident that the
 president would not approach the
 verge of war, and, if he did SO, con-
 gress never would back him up. Also
 it was said in Germany that, insofar
 as war was concerned, the United
 States would cut no figure at all, as it could not put itself in position to re- sist Teutonia. Later developments have proven that this was one of the greatest errors in judgment ever made by the so-called efficient Germany. The quick response of the people-even those of German origin; the eager ness of every citizen, high and low, to enroll for the defense of the coun- try; the resources for army and navy equipment, exemplified by the action of the heads of the great industrial plants of the nation in turning them over to the government; the readiness of the navy and the assurance that the army can be made the nucleus of a force of three million men make it evident that this country is no lost babe in the woods at the mercy of steel-fanged wolves, but power as formidable as any the world has ever seen.
 Schwab, the moving spirit in the Bethlehem steel works, declares his plant is bigger than the Krupp plant and has greater capacity; naval ex- perts say, that by bending every en- ergy and working short, continuous shifts the United States can, within two years, put the mightiest fleet upon the seas that ever went forth to war; army men are confident that before two years could pass the armed forces of the nation could muster ten million men, the equal of any ever called to arms; the greatest industrial plants of the country, most of which already have been placed at the dis posal of the government, are capable of equipping the land and sea forces to the minutest detail, and the deter of the people to make their country triumphant would increase as the war days heightened.
 One thing of importance the world seems to forget: When the Civil war closed the United States not only had a greater navy than any other nation on earth but had greater navy than all the countries of the world put to- gether! True, those ships would be absolute in this day, but they were the best that human ingenuity could at the time. This nation revolutionized warfare on land and sea in the great internal conflict. The first ironclad ships ever built were used in that unfortunate struggle. Who can say that, should America become involved in the present great ,onfiict-which now seems certain that she would not again stun the world by the immensity of her pre- oarations and the overwhelming strength of her fighting units? No sane thinking man can aver that she will fail to live up to her traditions. The United States, should destiny 1rive her into this impending war, will not emerge weak and beaten, but will realize the full measure of her strength. It would take all the na- ions of the earth to invade this coun- ny successfully. A million fleets in Ter waters and armieson every side .an not starve her out. She has the 'ood, the men, the money, the SUD- 'lies, the unconquerable spirit and is 'n the side of right. Why should any oval American have any misgivings It the lifting of the battle flags that lave never been raised in vain? The United States is able to demonstrate hat she is in every sense of the word he greatest of all nations, past or present.. All is we'll with her.