The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-02

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
trcit business men filled every
available inch OF space in the De-
troit Board Of Commerce at O'Clock
Monday 20 hear Henry l.. Sumson
discuss the issues OF the war. Fred.
eric r. Coudert. one OF the most
noted international lawyers in the
" orld. also spoke along similar lines.
Mr.. Sumson was formerly secre-
tary OF war and has always made a
careful study Of military matters
He is as well equipped as any man
IA the country 10 discuss the Ques-
tons. The two noted orators ap-
pear under the auspices OF the Ma
uonal Security league. with head.
quarters in New York city They
will make a tour OF the middle west
before returning 10 New York
we are On the threshold OF War.
began Mr. Stimson. Our country
has been ordered off the sea and
cur government refugees TO obey As
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. vo-
men and cnildren nave lost their
lives for doing what they had a
right TO DO under laws which have
existed for 500 years Never in any
% our five great wars. or In all
OF then put together. has there been
for provocation such an appalling
list OF atrocities a. that which to
day we lay as an Indictment against
the German Empire
Mr. StimsCn said that back 81 this
there was The struggle between au-
tocracy AMI democracy Into such a
struggle. he insisted. a man or "a
nation may well 90 with a lofty faith
and a burning ardor
The speaker admitted that II was
a serious thing 20 20 TO war with
the mightiest military nation OF the
world. and yet, he added. We sit
here discussing what We shall do
sEether We shall prepare our whole
trength or only a portion 81 o.
NJ friends. We should not sit here
20 calmly but for single circum
stance. IN a sheltered harbor Of
the Hebrides. half hidden by mists
OF Scotland lie some 50 grim yes
sells In their gray drab OF war So
long as that feet Il intact we can
take our time Should u fail or
should the coalition OF nations be-
hind IL fall apart We should not be-
holding mass meetings We should
be scrambling for our lives as help
less as naked children before an
armed man"
Mr.. stimsou said our feet was not
sufficient 10 protect our coast. and
there are very few places where an
invasion could not land with per.
feet ease. He then showed how
simple n would be Tor Germany 20
establish a line from Chesapeake to
Lake Champlain. a line little longer
than II nov holds in France he
hind that line would De the great
railroad terminals. nearly all the
great munition plants the capitals
% several states and the nation. the
richest cities on the continent and
$4,000 900 OF helpless people In
lev weeks II could be fortified 90
that II could probably never be 70.
gained
The speaker went on 10 paint an
appalling picture % American IN
preparedness from every point %
view, ending with an appeal 10 get
busy and assist IN preparing the
country for the inevitable struggle