Nebraska Newspapers

    V-
TIIE OMAHA SUNDAY 11KE: APRIL in, 1016.
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FOR months the people of the United .States have hiul fear
pounded into their brains by magazines, newspapers
and motion pictures. No enemy has been pointed out.
All the wild cry for the upending of billions, tho piling
up of armament und the saddling of the country .with a mili
tary caste has been based on nothing but fiction.
For, Americans should realize that the fantastic stories of
the invasion of the country and its quick conquest are the work
of fiction writers. It is a good rule to keep cool and take fic
tion at its own worth.
Editorial enthusiasts have hastened to forget the disaster
fit the Dardanelles, the statement of the president: "We are
threatened from no quarter"; the bankruptcy of bleeding and
weakened Europe.
With the fiction clearly in mind Americans should con
sider some facts.
On the floor of the house recently Congressman E. W.
Saunders of Virginia, said;
"Go forward, gentlemen, valiant aggregation that you arc of
Jingoes and Don Quixote, and altark the windmill of your fevered
Imaginations, we at leant are content with a navy that Is sufficient
for the purposes of defend, and not large enough to tempt this coun
try to commit lawless aggression.
"Mr, Chairman, this la not a question of a great navy, but of a
greater navy. Thin country has a great navy, a FAR (JRKATKR
NAVY THAN THK MAN IN THK BTUKKT IS AWAR'15 UK, when be
listen to the ranter who would have him believe that sane and
moderate men arc unwise and unpatriotic, merely because they are
unwilling to waste the substance Of the country In a wild riot of
naval const ruction. Compared with the gun of every other nation
In the world, save England, and the Jingoes tilway exclude Kngland
from their calculation, the gun on our ships In weight and carry
, Ing power are distinctly superior to all other,"
Hrigadier General Erasmus Weaver, head of the coast artil
lery of the United States, confounds the fiction writers.
(Jeneral Weaver Mould have charge of the defenses of the
country if such an invasion occurred.
In 1!H5, testifying ns to the strength of our coast defenses,
(iVnernl Weaver said:
"I have been a clone student of the whole subject, naturally, for
a number of year, and I know of no fortification In the world, so
far a my reading, observation and knowledge goc, that compare
favorably In efficiency with our."
On January 10 of the present year, General Weaver went
before the House Committee on Military Affairs and asked for
an increase of 11,000 men for tho land fortifications. J quota
from the report of the hearings before the committee:
MR, McKELLAR "If we conclude to carry out your recom
mendation and give you the 11,000 men, then, a I understand you,
you would have a perfect system of coast defense that you think
would be adequate for any purpose?'' ,
OENKItAL WEAVKR "Ye."
MR. McKELLAIi "Your Idea 1 tbat your gun are iufflclent
row?"
GENERAL WEAVER "The gun now mounted and thoe
contemplated will give u an entirely atlsfactory defense."
MR. McKELLAR "You do not take any stock In the Idea that
the ships of foreign nation carry guns of long enough range to
silence your guns?"
GENERAL WEAVER "No." ,
MR. McKELLAR ''I want to ask you, general, with our pres
ent condition, Is our condition of proparcdness for defense deplor
able?" GENERAL WEAVER "Except in the matter of personnel, It
1 not."
MR. McKELLAR "It 1 In excellent condition, with the addi
tion of a few officer and men, such as have been recommended by
the department and by you?"
GENERAL WEAVER "Ye, sir."
MR. McKELLAR "la your Judgment, 1 It not unfair and ml
lea'ling to the American people to have a public man make a state
ment that would lead you to bellevo that tho coast cities of our
country are wholly at the mercy of some Invading enemy?"
GENERAL WEAVER "I do not know that there I any officer
who Is acquainted with the facts that would make such a statement."
MR. McKELLAR "Any public man; I do not say an officer?"
GENERAL WEAVER "I hesitate to criticise public men,"
In tho Congressional Record of February 3, 191, page 22fi5,
is taken the following extract from the testimony of General
Nelson A. Miles, U. 8. A., retired:
"Having bad much to do with placing and construction of our
fortifications, and Inspecting every one along; the Atlantic, Pacific
and Gulf Coast, a well as having bad an opportunity of seeing all
of the great armies of the world and many of their fortification, In
cluding the Dardanelles, I am prepared to say that our coasts are a
well defended a the coast of any country with the ame class of
high-power guns and heavy projectiles, and I have no sympathy for
llin nilt.n'prciittlons that have been made in the attempt to mis
lead tho public."
I inter this officer declared:
"These oversea expedition spring from the mind of men writ
ing about preparedness who know less about preparcdnnaa than any
thing cine."
Mefore a senate committee January 31, 1D16, General Miles
declared:
"The placing of an army on American soil I the last thing any
European government would atleinpl; It rould never he re-embarked.
It would iltssohn like snow beneath the midday sun. Whenever It
has been attempted It has resulted In disaster."
We have seen this come true at the hanlanellcs. The great
est buttle fleet in the world's history,' backed up n magnificent
army in that landing. 'Iliey faced no such great gum as our
coast forts have. Vet for a year this army and navy struggled
and the soldiers never got beyond range of tho naval guns.
Then the attempt was abandoned. The jingoes refuse to re
member such a recent shattering of their fictions, and try to
make you forget it, too,
They refuse to remember that England during tho present
war, with absolute control of the sea, required .'l.'t days to movo
.'!i,tHM troops unequipped from one friendly port, (Quebec, tn
another friendly port, Southampton. Yet they tell you glibly
of IH,lMNi tut-tnie landing on our shores almost over night,
As old l,ev IWkMader remarks truthfully, if jokinglyt
"The two bet friend-, of the United Slates are the Atlantic
and Pacific ( Keatis,"
If the hoIc know the fact there will be no fear, If titer
- lln fear the "prcpaeiii".s" pi'opodt inti lioV before Collgl'cM
for a Mtt Hints and a laMcr nail will not become law, Itut to
cM'aH tho burden of billions of tac, nu armed at i-toerney, and
ultimate u!'jee(i..i to the munition makers and their financial
nllie tacked up by a kit at ntm, the pvuplc unit iot. They
tlill'l W lite t.i lln ir COHSMY-Mmii, li their i iintor, to the plcsi
dent.
A t"t'ent stamp, rghtt n-ed, wi! bold in the hand of
flirt p,o(!e p.c ruhng pow i r thnt threaten to slip Into the band
i f their gnntoi i . mi. , the money lend, r, the tns-t tnil-t atuj
tt.c im it who main (hrlr fortunes fiotn the b!oo.J of annlei,
Tl 0 people mint o thlltkicg of ln j;o elfUlHilt Us soim.
thing beyond tl.eiii. The o!c ale (!,. g.o nmilit, , it
at org bolder ill t ('ot pot'lt I toll a t i'C lull to k flow how', VI hi I ..
(Old wh the eolU'ei tl ' fuol.tv bellow v J i lit el 'irait
i. a ih khohb'i' in hii vo i nm. lit.
By
HENRY FORD
Our Troops in Mexico
Our troops are in Mexico doing jolieo duty, running down
a murderer of Americans, l or two years they were tm the
border preparing for just such work. After they had orders to
"get Villa" it took a week to get Marted. That delay telln the
real story of our need of "preparedness."
But it is not the "prepnrednens" of more hordes of armed
men. It is the "preparedness" of being able to use efficiently
what wo already have tho development of our industries on
a basis of efficiency. This is the best, the only preparation
against war
Again, remember, the expedition into Mexico is n police
work. Hut the president himself htw discovered a capitalistic
plot to bring us into aetunl war with Mexico, Ho, impressed
with this feeling of a deliberate attempt at treason by Ameri
can capitalists,' the president has issued a public statement,
which includes the following words:
"It I my duty to warn the people of the t'nlted Stale that
there are persons all along the border who are actively cnKaKed In
originating nd giving as wide currency as they can to rumors of the
most sensational and dlsliirblflg sort which aill wholly unjustified
by tho facts. The object of tills traffic In falsehood Is obvious. It
I to create intolerable friction between tho government of the
t'nlted State and the de facto government of Mexico, for the pur
poso of bringing about Intervention In the interest of certain Ameri
can owner of Mexican properties, This object cannot be attained
so long as aane and honorable men are In control of this government,
but very serlou condition may bo created, unnecessary blooditbed
may reult, and the relation between the two republic may be
very much embarrassed,
"The people of the t'nlted State should know the sinister and
unscrupulous Influences that are afoot and should be on their guard
against crediting any story coming from the border, and those who
disseminate the new should make It. a matter of patriotism and of
conscience to test the source and authenticity of every report they
receive from that quarter."
It would be well for those who have not taken an active in
terest in tho operations of the government, who have been care
less of tho welfare of their own country, who havo been too will
ing to take as fact everything they oe in print, to consider
this warning of tho president. And it would do no hann to tho
country for every American to apply this mna test and look
for tho "(sinister influences" behind the propaganda for hurl
ing the country into war, and for leading us into a wild rush
for "preparedness,"
The Battle Cry of Maxim
Have you seen that awful moving picture, "'Hie Hattle Cry
of Peace t"
Did you fehak.c with fear, and tremble for your country's
xafclyf
Did you know that others were shaking at the fame time,
but with laughter at your fear, and with joy over the fat con
tracts your fear might bring them 7
On tho (screen you were told that the play was founded on
the story of Hudson Maxim, "Defenseless America." You
saw Mr. Maxim in the picture. He was holding something
aloft. It was an instrument of warfare.
Now;, Mr. Maxim was merely advertising his wares and
playing on your fears to mako a market for his goods.
Mr. Maxim has something to sell war munitions.
The following is from the (dock report of Harvey A. Willii
& Co., 32 Broadway, New York City, Nov. 13, 1015:
"The stock of the Maxim Munition Corporation I the lateit
candidate for favor among the Curb wbt slock. It made It appear
ance this week at 12 and wa actively traded In at 12 up to 14V4.
Thl company 1 a $10,000,000 concern recently organlied for the
purpose of manufacturing munitions of war of all kinds, eeept ex
plosive materials. The company ha arranged to take
over the Important inTontlon of Hudson Maxim for the manufacture
of aerial torpedoes, bomb throwing device, aeroplane gun, cto.
Mr. Maxim himself will be president of the company."
The book was a fine advance notice. The picturo was a
fine follow-up. Then ramc some swift "patriotic" work.
.lust two weeks later, November 27, 101"), the following
appeared on the first page of the New York World:
RT. TOms. Nov. 21. Many member have resigned end other
are threatening to resign from the Committee of One Hundred ap
pointed by Mayor Kiel to urge the preparedness program upon Con
gress. This action resulted from advertisements In Ht. Louis news
pspcm thl morning of a in,noo,00fl Muxlm Munition Corporation
offering stock for sale at $10 a share. Hudson Maxim appeared
two daye ago before the Huslnes Men' League to urge aupport of
the national defense program.
"That's a pretty swift beginning," said former Solicitor Osnersl
of the United Rtate Frederick W, lyehmanni In announcing his re
fusal to serve on tho committee.
"One cannot help suspecting an ulterior motive," said Judge H.
S, Caulfleld in declining to be a commit tee man.
"If the activities of the National Hecuilly League, at the In
stance of which the committee was appointed, the appearance of
Mr. Maxim and Hi proiimlKiillon of tho advertisement can be con
nected, it Is treasonable," said John H. (Sundlach, former I'rciildent
of the City Council and member of the comnilllee.
Here we have a sample of the "patriotism" that is direct
ing the "preparedness" campaign, spending huge Minis, carry
ing its poison of fear into every part of the Puion.
It is time for every man and woman of the United Slates
to get angry, to fight this uiirepresentatioii and deception.
Pass the facts on to jour doubting or unconcerned neighbor,
Heroine a recruiting officer for the army of peace,
'lliink, write to your Congressman, ami when (he time
comes, vote. Your livelihood, your jcaee, your life and the
live of your children all depend upon the immediate crush,
ing of the bead of the serpent of militnrUm,
The Navy League for Defense?
The Navy league has been rpending large miios to tell
American that it U oi tranied for the defence of the country.
The Navy League j, ib c, iin the country, ami its own of
fi.'inl organ, the "Seen S. in" iiinuHine, pruu-s the deception
Oil page I.'! of the September, l''l,, hMle, iipvars the true
giojnd of the Navy le'ltU'Ue.
We read; "'nil true Inilititlit belces that paelflMII is the
inascnlitm and humauitai oou h (he (VmiiMUo manil'e-talion of
rationn! b geiieiacy, World empire h tho only logl
m! and lutunij alnt of a luthm.
Then, Otl pitk'e of (1,0 "Nrii'ti S. .!." for November, p J'l,
U fin etll'UeiHtit ftpolt th "d. J. te" h t a follow "t h
the ab ofnt.. tipbt of a halo i to live to it full iittetiMly, rv-
pnnd, to found eohmiex, to gft rtchrr "d richer by any proper
mcini inch M Armed fonnucit, e.mtmeree, diplomacy, "
lb re wi have tlt. pl iio o.h of tl .. Navy Ij gue, w he h
(bus n'tai!is eh a of its mumi ion m.il. jiitf foiimb i,
I tt iiLit, law !,-, itttttn ion-, bnt i H i' lu,tMit 'he eomtiniti . o
i!e pa the biii lit ble, Isirb, moie nli. ttn-te.
diiny
The munition makers fear the eliding of the war. They
have built vast additions to their factories, not temjorary
structures, but great buildings that indicate not only hope, but
determination that this war shall continue, that other wars
shall follow and bring their bloody profit with them. If they
cannot force more war they can at least, they believe, tie up
this country for huge munition contracts. And they, and their
tools, are preaching fear to get those contracts. " And this trea
son, masked as patriotism ha deluded many who havo not
thought and will not think,
There is a proposition now before Congress for tho appro
priation of $.Vjo,M 0,000 for a great naval building program.
This was first proposed by Kobert M. Thompson, president of
the Navy league and chairman of the board of directors of the)
international Nickel company, u firm that has profited and
will prol'U probably more than any other concern by tho pas
sage of the naval bill. The proposal was made at a dinner in
New York before a group of men, who included those "patriotic
Americans" ho hold absolute control of the making of war
munitions. The propaganda began at Once and wow continues
with great expenditures. It is of no concern to these men that
"we are threatened from no quarter," as the president fays,
Tliey want the money. And you, Americans, must pay now in
cash from your wages, and later must take up the arms these
munition makers will sell you and march off to the "armed
conquest" the Navy League's official journal says is the
"proper means" by which the t'nlted States must how its
destiny in the world's history,
I earnestly urge those members of the Navy Ieague who
have a real feeling of regard for the country's safety, but liav
allowed themselves to be tricked into membership in this organ
ization by the cry of "patriotism," to think calmly, read (Vm
gressman Tavenner'g fjtecch on the Navy League, use their
reason, and be thinking patriots, not fear-driven tools,
Wemember the warning words of Oenrgo Washington, in
his farewell address to the American' peoples "Cultivate penco
and harmony with all nations, Overgrown military,
establishments are, under any form of government, inaus
picious to liberty and are to be regarded as particularly liostilo
to Jfcpublicnn liberty."
A Question of "Rights"
The men who voted against tabling the proposal of Senator
ft ore and Congressmen Mcliiuore to want Americans off
armed belligerent ships have been branded traitors.
Jiut these' men forgot party lines, forgot their own political
safety to consider the safety of 100,000,000 Americans who havo
a right to pence. The president had said that if one American
who traveled on nn armed ship was killed the country might
be plunged into war. It was a qucHion of "stand by tho presi
dent" in support of his dangerous foreign policy, or aland by
the people.
J?y a parliamentary trick, a vote was prevented upon tb
real feeling of Congress as to warning Americans off such ships.
Any man with common sense will deny that Americans
have a right to use such ships when their president declares
they endanger the country by so doing. Under such condi
tions, a "right" becomes a crime,
Sweden, placing common pense above a "doubtful legal
right," has issued a warning to its citizens to keep off armed
ehips of tho warring countries,
Norway, in the face-of jingo cries, recently voted down a
proposition for so-called "preparedness."
Congressman Decker, of Missouri, summed up the who!
matter in his speech on Ihe floor of the lionise during the dis
cussion of the Mclonioro resolution, when he said:
"If war comes we v. Ill all sland by the president of the I'nltM
State. But Ibis, thank flod. Is a representative Government. And
I wish to say to the Insinuating gentleman from Alabama tMr, lief,
lln) the intention now Is, Will you sland by tho American peoplT
Vou can not dodge the question, gentlemen of the Southland and
gentlemen of the NorlhlHiiil. The question Is, Will you go to wsr
on what Mr. Lansing ssys Is a doubtful legal rtuht? 1 am willing
to go to war If necessary. My people have borne their part. My
father and my uncle fought to preserve that flag, Itut I say to jou,
the private citizens of tills country, the men who pay the taxes, th
men who, If there Is war, will die In the trenches, Ihe men who will
breathe the aaphyzlnilng gas, the mother of Hie boy whose feh
and blood will be spattered on the field of battle, want to know
before war Is declared why they have to go to wsr."
We Americans have three duties before us. Wo must
keep out of this war, for we have no right in it no mntter what
the Wall Street Tories and "patriots" tell us through their
newspaper spokesmen; we must do all in our power to help
the nations at war find a common ground for an early x'iicc
we mu.-1 take the hud in suggesting the limitation of arma
ment that will lead to di-armameiit. And if wo begin now to
pile up a great navy and a great army wo cannot hope to havo
the proper influence with Ihe world in bringing about this eon
ditiou that the (Moples of all the nations long for. War and
preparation for war has not brought it ami cannot bring it,
The people have the power in their bauds to cru-h the avarice
for gold and coiHUe;t that war has brought, That power i.
the voice, the pell, and greatest of till, the ballot.
Armor Plate Patriotism
The pat riot ism that 1'irc our munition makers, who e fin
hands can be ieeognied in the " prcparedites" agitation, wm
brought forward in Matting relief recently,
A M onte eommillee, cntishei ing , ,,f Senator Till
man, appropriating ill untiMi for a government armor plat
plant, Ma informed l S. nnlor Penrose of Pcni-j ania, that
if the Tillman bill ".mi lepoitid LiVoi.ibU t!io armor plata
iiianiit'a'iiiiits of the I luLd Stale-, who for j curs haw been
al'Miibing la t cm ei nm. ut conducts ( al piolits, jni,.
mediate!) would r u1' lb jan e of nintor plate jcr ton,
"lite N'tntte pnM'd tin. ( ill, although tbe adwiatcs of gov.
1 1 nnietit oi,, i nion loiuM to the !,it ibt h Ituiuediatelv
the hi ti-.oi- plate liteit o t notue of l.e itiiodc binder and of
fered, I tore the IIoiim', to ledm e the pt ice of armor plate If
the oH".e Would teje.t the gov elMllcnl oUoh plant, Ibtl th
inctiihetH of (l.e .iUm baie h nMi.'d oin. hmgs nboiit thu
Munition inakcM teivnld, and will do their dutv hceoiditul,
Other samplet of munition making " f utt I lolinu" nte I
found in the um i he of I 'oUgiei-MHiin t Ude II, TiilniluT f
lihtioM, 'I hi mi fSr. o ii, bo M-ctU'Cll bv Willing il Mr.
'J ai enm r at a- hington