ss 
May 12, 1916. 
An EFFicrENtT CoMMITTEE is at work preparing for 
a “preparedness parade” to be arranged for the last Sat- 
urday in this month in Boston. As usual, of course, the 
criticism has been severe and the work has been hindered 
by adverse coniment. These come from the anti-militar- 
istic critics and from organized pacificists. The opposi- 
tion appears trivial. They belong in the same category 
with the antagonists of school drill. There never has 
been the slightest danger of militaristic ideas or ideals 
being communicated by the old school drills or by the pre- 
paredness movement. In fact, school drills have cured 
many a boy of militaristic tendencies and the thirst for 
military adventure. Three years of stiff drill has taken 
the glamor off the “profession” and in the words of a 
boy, “he had all he wanted of it.” On the other hand 
military drill in school teaches neatness, team work, mass 
action and, not least of all, obedience to authority. In 
the school curriculum there does not exist a more poterit 
and influential course than that of military training and 
it should be continued. As to preparedness parades and 
militarism there cannot be the slightest danger. On the 
contrary the very sight of young men parading, as will 
be done in Boston soon, will visualize the awful effects of 
the carnage abroad, instead of entrenching militarism. 
There will be, of course, careless livers, shallow thinkers, 
minds carried away by passing whims, who never will nor 
can live deeply, who will see only the glitter of shining 
arms and the stir of marching men and mistake the 
parade for military service. They cannot see behind the 
marching hosts of men the spirit of war, murder, class 
enmity, international jealously, commercial rivalry and 
strife. The thinking man’s imagination will be stirred. 
It will be possible for him to visualize the results of war 
abroad. He will not be deceived. Militarism! America 
deceived into Militarism? By a preparedness parade? 
Not when one stops to think that more men than will be in 
line that day now lie beneath the sod, crushed by the spirit 
of militarism. Militarism indeed, when one considers that 
more hearts are aching than the number of people who 
will see that parade! Let every friend of a friend who 
marches in the line stop to think what it might mean if 
those men were off to the front; if war were at our very 
door and bloodshed was the carnival of vice on our na- 
tive soil. It is too true: America has been dead to the 
sufferings of war. This generation does not know what 
war means. It cannot understand. How can it under- 
stand what war means? America is removed from the 
war; it has made money from ammunition, war supplies 
and high freight rates. The war has meant prosperity. 
America must stop to think. The preparedness parade 
should present such a psychological opportunity. What 
does militarism mean? It means death, sorrow, suf- 
fering. Let militarism die, but preparedness continue. 
The parade should be encouraged and the people taugnt 
to see back of the long files of young men the horrors of 
possible war and the frightfulness of slaughter. 
Tue Presmenr has very skilfully answered the 
German communication and avoided the raising of issues 
not bearing directly upon the question discussed. In re- 
fusing to consider the culpability of any other nation he 
wrote, “Responsibility in such matters is single, not joint; 
absolute, not relative.” There is no avoiding his meaning. 
Tue Cryran-Up Campaicn has been unusually suc- 
cessful. The North Shore never needs to be prodded to 
its task. It has the will and finds a way. 
Te BASEBALL SEASON has begun with its healthful, 
invigorating influence, the more welcome because of the 
long winter, 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 
13 
THE Suspicion GRows upon us that were peace to be 
declared in Europe within the next few months we would 
hear much less of preparedness argument than we have 
heard during the past winter. A good many of the talk- 
ers for preparedness, who have come to the front in the 
past few months, would soon be found advocating uni- 
versal disarmament and wanting America to take the 
lead. Many seem to have missed the essential point in the 
preparedness program. Preparedness should not be for 
today or tomorrow; but as long as nations arm, America 
should be prepared to defend its shores, its homes and its 
commerce. Many are led to favor better defensive arm- 
ament in these days of stress who would be found decry- 
ing the necessity of it in a year or so. The most radical 
estimates show that it would take about three years to 
adequately prepare this nation for defense. By that time 
the European war will be over we hope. Those over- 
night advocates of preparedness who think we should he 
prepared to take our part in the European conflict should 
recall the history of the wars in which America has en- 
gaged. It has not been when other nations were at wear 
that we have been embroiled, but at times when Europe 
has been practically at peace. Europe is too busy today 
with its own troubles to bother America, but ten years 
from now things may be different. It is not for the 
present so much as the future that we must prepare. 
THE SILVER Lininc of the European war cloud is 
found in America. Just as the present war is without 
precedent for magnitude of military operations, number 
of countries involved and wonderful machinery of de- 
struction, so without precedent in history has been the 
charity, sympathy and the aid extended to the suffering 
peoples of Europe by America. America, a land where 
people of every race in the world have found a home, 
possesses a heart which feels for all who are innocent 
sufferers in the great struggle. America has played next 
kin to every stricken land in that it has devoted millions 
of dollars and hundreds of men and woemn toward the 
relief of the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the wounded 
and the bereaved victims of the god of war. Boston 
alone has come to the aid of the sufferers abroad to the 
amount of $1,401,848.83 for various charities and funds. 
THE SHIPPING INTERESTS have been enjoying an un- 
expected as well as an unprecedented period of prosperity. 
Every schooner that is ready for sea is in service and 2 
ready sail is always possible at premium prices. The 
ship-building enterprises are busily preparing for the 
future. America sacrificed her shipping interests many 
years ago, but the opportunity has come again. Will the 
opportunity be seized? 
Tur Governor Has Sicnep the bill which prohibits 
dealers in alcoholic liquors delivering in No-Licence te:- 
ritories. The bill has been advocated for years and now 
becomes law. It increases the value of the pony express 
licences and make it possible for the authorities in No- 
License territories to control the importation of liquors. 
THe PRINTERS AND STATIONERS have been feeling 
the increased costs of paper and inks for over a year, 
but when Mr. Average Citizen wakes up some fair morn- 
ing to find he must pay two cents for his “penny” daily 
he will appreciate the fact that the war has affected the 
paper market. 
Tue British CaApinet has finally decided to intro- 
duce a bill providing for compulsory service for all men 
of military age. There is every reason to believe that 
when introduced the bill will be passed, 
