The Detroit times., 1917-11-09
Preparedness
BY OR. FRANK CRANE
Copyright 1915. by Frank Crane)

This is a free country. And Of course
that lays the road wide open TO the can
tankerous gentry whose creed is that
whatever their country does is wrong.
When the Class A Soreheads stop for
breath, which class includes those who
think We should not have gone to war at
ALL the Class Soreheads begin to croak,
this class holding that we didn't go to
war soon enough, We didn't prepare in
time, and we are now bungling the Job.
Hence il might be well to see what the
old I. S. A. has done in the last half
year or so.
There has been organized a social and
economic revolution greater than ever
was in any country in the world, while
this greatest democracy has transformed
itself into a war machine.
Congress has voted $2l 900, OO0. 900 to
the business in hand, an amount about
equal TO Great Britains three-years ex-
penditure, and equal 70 one-quarter of
the Allies total outlay.
When the war broke out our army con-
tanned approximately 275,000 officers
and men; now We have around 100000
ready TO fight in few months.
Then there were $500 men in the
medical department now 10000.
We used to spend 100000 900 year
for ordnance this year congress spent
S3.000,00000O. and authorized another
$2.000.000. 900.
Our program provides for 10000 air
planes, with 100000 enlisted men and
10000 tliers in this service.
Though details may not be given, thou
sands of American soldiers have quietly
gotten to France to join the forces under
General Pershing. They are not only
learning the peculiar fighting tactics of
this war, but are building railroads, fell
ing trees saving lumber, flying air
planes, and working in hospitals abroad.
One month after we declared war the
first division of American destroyers
reached European waters. Since then
our navy has made good it has put the
punch IN submarine warfare, it has taken
over the patrol of this side Of the At
lantic. released British ships, and has SO
safely conveyed our troops to France
that. at the hour of this writing. no
transport has been lost
We are building ships faster than the
most optimistic ever dreamed possible.
We have loaned the allies $2,516, AGO.
600
The ablest business men of the coun-
try have left their private affairs and
co-operated with the President and his
cabinet in organizing the whole gigantic
productive, manufacturing and transport
tation industries of the nation.
Under Mr. Hoover. the farmers, the
millers, the packers, the fish industry,
the cold storage plants. the diaries and
all the foodstuf industries are falling in
line.
The fuel producers are being co-ordi-
mated under Dr. Garfield.
The railroads have placed themselves
under the leadership Of Daniel Willard,
at the service Of the government as a
unit Of efficiency.
Steps have been taken to tighten the
food blockade around Germany.
With the Sl00O00,O0O nest egg the
Red Cross is doing magnificent work
among the wounded and helping to re-
build the devastated towns of France
and Flanders.
Quietly, efficiently, and with grim pur-
pose this greatest democratic nation on
earth is doing its share
One hundred million intelligent free
men are seeing to it that their Presi-
dents words shall be no idle bluff.