AMERICAN DETACHMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 77, 3 April 1915, Page 4

AMERICAN DETACHMENT.

Some idea of America’s attitude in the present war may be gathered from the following very readable note taken from the Christchurch Press:—Jonriialists who have to read American papers sometimes experience a rather strong feeling of irritation at the attitude of superior aloofness adopted towards the war. One is given to understand—the idea is more implied than expressed—that the people of the United States, partly through their geographical isolation and partly through some superiority ini their civilisation, are above the strug-j glc, watching, like the gods described in the “Lotus-Eaters,”

Blight and famine, plague and earthquake, roaring deeps and fiery sands.

Changing fights, and flaming towns, and sinking ships, and praying hands.

There is a note of pity for poor old effete Europe, governed by kings who plunge her into war. Irritation, however, changes to a sort of grim amusement when one reflects on the vulnerability that goes with this Olympian detachment. Certain American officers and a section of the American Press do not spare the feelings of Americans in telling them how unprepared is the country for war. For instance, MsjorGeheral Greene recently described how Germany might attack the United States. In his almost genial account of the suggested operations, the plans for which were doubtless lying in pigeon-holes in Berlin, General Greene said a descent would he made on iN’ew York, as the centre of the country's trade. Transports escorted by the fleet would bring over 240,000 troops, which would land on the Long Island coast, and unless opposed hy an army of equal strength and skill, would he in New York in four days. Even if the bridges across the East Liver, which cost £lB,000,000, were destroyed by the defenders, to reach the heart of New York would present no difficulties. Once that Germans were there, “discreet officers” would at once be sent to find ten of the leading financiers of the United States, who would he kept in close confinement until they had signed a bond for the payment of a war indemnity of £1,000,000,000, or about twice the cost of the Civil War. “Would they sign it?” asked General Greene. “Most assuredly they would.”