Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-02-13
Taking Ready

The present situation differs from any
other in which the United States ever
found itself in danger of war. There is no
excitement. There are no mass meetings,
no iinpronptu PROFESSIONS, no street corner
hustlings. no rushing Ia the front of unde-
manded volunteers. Yet the unanimitv of
the country In support of the president was
never 20 certain. The tone i the same in
the west and south and in the east. The
mood of the country Is not one of excite
ment but If sober resolution. If war does
come II viii find n united nation. The
voice Of the press utterS one note. The
governor Of Kansas. republican, neutral,
racifi>t. speaks in the same tone n the
republican governors Of Maine and Mas
sachusetts or the democratic governor Of
North Carolina when he SAYS:
| President Wilson has the united
support of the people of Kansas in the
severance of diplomatic relations
with Germany, and they regard it i
q final notice that the patience of this
country l. exhauted.
Hardly were the words OF his moment
ont announcement out OF the presidents
mouth when quietly. sobcrly. without the
least trace Of enthusiasm or excitement.
but with a grave resolution. the country be-
gan to prepare for the possibility Of war.
In the place Of mass meetings. cheers. and
amateur recruiting. the first steps toward
preparation were being quickly and noise
lessly taken BY nation. state and individ-
ual. The governor of New York, 1T the
request Of the mayor of this city. ordcr-
the national guard aud naval militia INTO
service. The Connecticut naval guard j.
ordered 10 report At is arnnry. The see
rotary of the navy order the navy yards
TO take over the projection ot the Gcrinal
intened ships, and hi orders are iinmcd-
itely obeyed. The senate subcommittee in
stantly approves seven bills submitted
some INT ago by the department of iu>-
tice dealing with spies. The secretary ot
the navy asks congress tor authority ~
commanders private ammunition and
equipment plans. and the chairman al the
naval committee immediately submits the
proposal a. an amendment to the nava.
bill, Just as debate on that measure i
closing. Representative Britten prepares
an amendment appropriating $40. 0O0, 900
to hasten the construction OF l13 warship~
authorized at previous sessions and now
under construction. The adiutant genera
of New Jersey announce the readiness of
both naval reserve and national guard: the
mayor of Englewood places n motor bat
terry at the governors call. The navy wards.
naval station, forts, a~rsenalS and powder
ma gazincS are placed under protection.
The publication of naval orders j. ter
minated. The public building, ~ Washing
ton are closed to tourists. Manufactur-
ers telegraph the government offering III
turn over their plants. The General Flee
tine company announces that il will ac-
cept no more foreign contracts for war
material. All this the same dav the prr,i-
dent makes his announcement. an an
nouncement which did not become public
until well in the afternoon. silence. gray
MY. determination. instant action. these
arc the features of the mood in which the
federal government. the state governments.
and The individuals of the American nation
are making ready. IN which they began in
The twinkling Of an eye to make ready. for
the possibility with which The president,
words brought this country face ID face.
american has been in danger Of war be-
lore m her history. but never in 4 mood
ike this.-Ncw York Time.