The Detroit times., 1917-04-03
STIMSON
SAYS WAR
IS UPON US
Pr0vOcatiOn Is Great,
Declares Former
Secretary
GIVES TALK IN
COMMERCE BOARD
Points Out Real Peril
of Invasion By
TeutOns

EiViN Nhah At@VN PIbtuAhf'lA AV
troit business men filled every
available inch OF space In the De
trolt Board OF Commerce at o'clock
Monday TO hear Henry L. Stimson
discuss the issues OF the war. Fred:
ofic r Coudert, one OF the most
noted international lawyers in the
world. also spoke along similar lines.
Mr.. Stimton was formerly secre-
tary OF war and has always made a
careful study OF military matters
He is as well equipped as any man
In the country TO discuss the ques
tons. The two noted orators ap-
pear under the auspices Of the Ma
tionAl Security league, with head
quarters in New York city. They
viii make tour OF the middle west
before returning to New YORK
I'VE are on the threshold OF war"
began Mr. stimson Our country
has been ordered off the sea and
cur government rsfnses 10 obey. As
a result Ne must meet our duties
and obligations. sixteen OF our
ships have been attacked or sunk
because W. insisted upon exercising
the right OF free men upon a free
ocean. Nearly 200 OF our men. wo
men and children have lost their
lives for doing what they had a
right 10 30 under laws which have
existed for 500 years. Never In any
OF our five great wars. or IN all
OF them put together, has there been
for provocation such an appalling
list OF atrocities "a that which to
day We lev as an indictment against
the German Empire"
Mr.. stimsCn said that back ~ this
there was the struggle between au.
tocracy anil democracy. Into such a
struggle. h. insisted, a man or =
nation may well go with a lofty faith
and a burning ardor
The speaker admitted that u was
q serious thing 10 go 10 war with
the miEhtiest military nation OF the
world. and yet. he added. I'VE sit
here discussing what we shall do,
whether we shall prepare our whole
strength OF only portion OF a..
Ny friends. We should not sit here
so calmly but for a single circum.
stance. in sheltered harbor OF
the Hebrides. half hidden by mists
Of Scotland. lie some 80 grim YES
sells in their gray drab OF war. so
long as that feet is intact we can
take our time. Should II fail or
should the coalition OF nations be
hind II fall apart We should not he
holding mass meetings. We should
be scrambling for our lives az help
less a. naked children before an
armed man"
Mr.. sumson said our feet was not
sufficient TO protect our coast. and
there are very few places where an
invasion could not land with per
feet ease. He then showed how
simple Il would be for Germany to
establish a line from Chesapeake TO
Lake Champlaln, a line little longer
than n now holds in France. Be
hind that line would be the great
railroad terminals. nearly all the
great munition plants. the capitals
OF several states and the nation, the
richest cities on the continent and
$4,000 900 OF helpless people. In a
few weeks II could be fortified 40
that Il could probably never be re-
gained
The speaker went on TO paint an
appalling picture OF American un.
preparedness from every point OF
view. ending with an appeal to get
busy and assist In preparing the
country for the inevitable struggle