Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-06

all told, probably never have been equall-
ed by any other nation in the history OF
the world are brought into the great
war under the American flag.
Efficient Fighting Forces
Into the balance against Germany are
thrown a navy in strength and efficiency
among the foremost afioat; an army com
paratively small but highly efhcieht'
backed by a citzenry of upwards of 90
600, 600 capable of military duty; industrial
resources ncomparably the greatest IN
the world, already modified for public
service; and the moral force of more than
100, 1000, 900 Americans awakened to their
countrys peril and united behind their
President with a patriotic ferVor relncar-
mating the spirit of 20.
Although much remains to he done.
officials believe the nations destlnys
are secure now, no matter how stub
born or prolonged may be the pres
sure of German militarism or how
wide the scope of German lntrigues.
The slowly maturing preparedness
| sentiment has borne fruit in military,
| naval and industrial preparations
| which already have put the United
| States on a defense basis not even
| hoped for two years ago. The navy,
always the first line of defense, has
| cleared its decks of Anticipated incum-
! brances has added new units mod
| ernized to meet the German tactics
and through the patriotic cooperation
| of ship and material makers is hur-
| rying to completion other mighty
! fighting craft that Will be the last
word in power and efficiency. Author
| lied but 10 days ago to recruit to the
full war strength of $1,000 men, the
navy already has almost attained the
| total To provide additional officers
class of midshipmen has been grad
| mated three months ahead of it's time.
A newly organized coast patrol of
submarine chasers is on duty and
hundreds of small craft to augment it
are under construction.
| Army preparations are less complete
| because of the uncertainty over what
| Congress will authorize for that
| branch of the service. The regulars
numbering nearly 10000 and trained
and equipped in a way which their
officers believe will match the efficien-
! cies Of Germany's best are ready to
respond over night to whatever call
may come.
The National Guard 100000 strong
and hardened by months of service at
the border already has many units in &C
tive service for police duty throughout
the country and can be fully modified
| on short notice. Without additional
authorization by Congress the regulars
and guardsmcn could be recruited to a
combined strength of 100000. and de-
tailed plans for whatever larger army
may be authorized have been prepared
| and great quantities of equipment for 1t
purchased.
| Industrial preparations, thanks to les
| sons of the war and the patriotic atti-
tude of industry. have produced great,
| compact scheme of national resources
with almost unlimited possibilities. The
council of.national defense. in daily con-
ferences with the nations leading finan-
| cial commercial scientific and labor
| chiefs. not only has worked out a def
mite and detailed industrial mobilization
| plan, but has secured the endorsement
and pledges of the men who can put it
| into effect at moments notice, bring
ing to the aid of the military arms of
| the service the full resources of the
richest nation. organized with charac-
teristic Yankee skill and business thor
oughness.
For military reasons a small part OF
the detail of these preparations has been
permitted to reach the public. 1t is
known, however, that for many months
! considered more
than a possibility, and has strained its
every resource TO make ready. In the
tense waiting period since relations were
broken the President while hoping fer.
yentIy that hostilities could be avoided,
| has kept the whole machinery of the
government in motion day and night to
prepare against eventualities.
To any close observer at the capital
| II now is apparent that Germany again
/ has nfisjudged if she thought to find the
United States hopelessly impotent and
unprepared.
| Mann's Support
Mr.. Kitchins opposition drew an i'm
mediate following from among the
| group which have opposed prepared
ness and armed neutrality, and tonight
many of them who had set silent and
glum in the rear of the chamber
throughout the day moved down in front
and spoke against the resolution. One
Of the most earnest speeches in behalf
of the Presidents course came from
\ Republican Leader Mann. who declared
| Germany had deliberately affronted this
country and that only war could save
| the national honor.
Administration leades until today had
paid little attention to reports that Rep.
Kitchin would oppose the resolution.
| Rather looking to him as the man who
would have to lead the fight for reve-
| nue.. they talked with him freely of the
| financial phase of the situation. Aroused
by reports Of his attitude, Democratic
| leaders FASTENED to his office today to
| find that he had prepared in part a
speech opposing the. resolution. Fellow
| members of the House and Senators
pleaded vainly with him to abandon his
plan. Possible loss of the House leader
shin and his forced exit from public life,