Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-02


might be, but we have plenty Of guns
and plenty of gunners for all of our
merchant ships and those gunners have
made records that surpass the records
made in any other navy in the world
They consider it a pretty poor gun
ner who cannot hit a 15-foot target at
5000 yards, and / am waiting with a
great deal of interest to see what will
happen when one of these American
gunners sees a German submarine. We
have got some Of the largest warships
in the world and they have the largest
guns mounted on any warship ana
they are faster than any warship built
nv anv other nation. The shipyard
men are doing all in their power to
give us more and yet better ships. we
have MANY airpIanes and over 300 in
process of building for the army: we
have a large number building and built
for the navy.
At Washington there Is a council of
National Defense made up of some of
the big men Of the country; and like
committee for the navy with Thomas
A. Edison at it's head. and for them
has been appropriated s1.5O0,Ooo Tor car
rying on their experiments.
America is prepared for war at the
present time, far better than she has
ever been before. We are going into
this fight prepared to carry 1t to the
end
It will cost lives but so has every
movement for the uplift OF humanity
on this earth. Are we going to forget
our ideals Of the past. and those for
which our fathers stood?
President Wilson has fought the good
fight. he has realized that the happiness
and the welfare of 100000 people
rested with him and he has felt the
weight of the responsibility and has
proceeded with moderation and with
care. Is America right? We believe
that it is, and thrice armed is he whose
cause is just. l am glad to see SO many
women here today. In the trials of the
Civil War they did their part, just as in
France and England today they are do
ing their part. I am glad to see the
men of Company H here today, expon-
ents of those who are willing to give
their all to their country. and if they go
to war they will remember that the
! hearts and the hopes of Waterville go
with them.
We have many Germans in this coun-
try and many Of them are closely re-
lated to ties of friendship with us, but
soon the call to the colors must come.
and then we must forget friendship if it
affects our country. I believe that the
ma jority of the Germans who live in
this country. many of whom came here
to escape the military machine of their
own country, will be loyal to America.
Int no who gives aid and comfort n the
enemy is traitor and should be dealt
with as such. We must expect some
trouble here, but this country has at the
present time n much larger secret SER
vice at work than almost anyone in this
country believes and this secret service
is guarding all important points In the
country. A census of the manufactur-
ing plants of the country, which would
be of use and available in case OF war.
is in the hands of the authorities at
Washington, and it shows that there are
$4,000 of them ready to work for the
country in case of war. Let us all do
our share in gathering enlistments for
the navy first, because II Is our first line
of defense, and then for the national
guard. even us old fellows who are too
far advanced in age to go to the front
can do our share and every one should
have a part.
In closing let me leave with you this
sentiment: Ope Flag. One Nation. One
Heart. One Hand, Our Country Ever
more.
Following the address the audience
sang America" and the benediction
was pronounced by Rev. Frank II. sted-
man of ST. Marks Episcopal church
Company III and Elm City troop of Boy
Scouts, both of which organizations
had attended in a body filed out.