Feb. 2, 1917. 
- “To MAINTAIN PEACE in the future it is necessary 
to be prepared for war. There can scarcely be a possible 
chance of a conflict, such as the last one, occurring among 
our own people again; but, growing as we are, in popula- 
tion, wealth and military power, we may become the envy 
of nations which led us in all these particulars only a few 
years ago; and unless we are prepared for it we may be 
in danger of a combined movement being some day made 
to crush us out. Now, scarcely 20 years after the war, 
we seem to have forgotten the lessons it taught, and are 
going on as if inthe greatest security, without the power to 
resist an invasion by the fleets of fourth-rate European 
powers for a time until we could prepare for them. We 
should have a good navy, and our sea-coast defences 
should be put in the finest possible condition. Neither of 
these cost much when it is considered where the money 
goes, and what we get in return. Money expended in a 
fine navy, not only adds to our security and tends to pre- 
vent war in the future, but is very material aid to our 
commerce with foreign nations in the meantime. Money 
spent upon sea-coast defences is spent among our own 
peonle, and all goes back again a'rong the people. The 
work accomplished, too, like that of the navy, gives us a 
feeling of security.” This little sermon on preparedness 
was written a little over thirty years ago by former Presi- 
dent Grant in summing up his personal history of the 
Civil War. The danger Grant foresaw in 1885 is even 
more apparent in 1917. 
Hucu Brack Has BEEN SPEAKING out in weeting | 
about our unjust criticisms borne of pessimism in criti- 
cising the men who have entered politics. There is no 
donbt but what there have been many incidents in our 
A~erican life that have lead our citizens to believe that 
politics mars a man. There is but one solution of the 
whole complex problem, and that is for men of principle 
and honor to enter public life and to serve their country 
with high ideals and fidelity. 
OneE Doers Nor NeEEp To BE much of a mathemati- 
cian to determine the gain this country is making each 
year if the charitable donations made for relieve work 
amount to eight million dollars and the monthly receipts 
for war munitions and the sinews of strife arount to 
‘ne million dollars per month. The only consoling fac- 
to- in the lamentable business is that the gifts represent 
the sincere desire of humanity loving Americans to offset 
*1 a small way the ravages of the spirit of war. 
Tuer Bustness Men of New York were far seeing 
and shrewd in their recent award of a prize of ten dol- 
lars for the first fly killed by anyone. A fortunate woman 
has the ten dollars, but the whole city has been swatting 
the “first” fly. Anyone who is interested in arithmetical 
ond georetrical progression may take a day off and figure 
up how many millions of flies have been killed by the 
simple plan. 
THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAs is a doctrine that has 
attracted every great thinker since the days of the early 
free traders. As a “theory” is stands unrefutable and 
everlastingly desirable, but who is voing to define “free- 
dom” and compel it when gained. There must be a police 
force maintained by the nations to protect the “liberty” 
gained. 
_ Grorce W. CoLeMAN is an enthusiast for the forum 
idea. There is no questioning the advisability and desir- 
abily of such a free speech conference. The Ford hall 
meetings demonstrate that. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 
7 
Ir Is No LONGER A QuEsTIon of prosperity in Amer- 
ica. America has never been commercial at heart, how- 
ever mercenary she may appear to her critics. America 
did not want this war. She does not believe in war and 
would wish it to end promptly. The argument that con- 
stantly creeps up that America wants the war to continue 
because there is money in it is all popicock? Every 
American knows that he is paying his share of the cost 
of this terrible war in increased prices. He also knows 
that when the peace terms are declared instead of there 
being a slump in mercantile interests in America there 
will be a new lease of life. No one is making money now, 
except the owners of munition interests. As soon as 
legitimate foreign business interests begin to develop then 
America will begin to develop a type of prosperity that is 
ethically unassailable and will prove permanently advan- 
tageous to all concerned. ; 
THe CoMING CONSTITUTIONAL ‘CONVENTION does not 
seem to be attracting the attention that it ought to among 
the many people of the State. There has not been a 
more important gathering in Massachusetts in years and 
good men should be selected to go to the convention. The 
labor organizations have long been awake to the oppor- 
tunities presented by the gathering and have already ex- 
yressed themselves as in favor of various amendments, 
which they desire passed. They are interested in the 
non-contributory health insurance bills and in the old age 
Nension’ provisions and have voted to favor candidates 
interested in these items. 
ONE OF THE Best features of the work among boys, 
popularly known as the Boy Scout movement is the 
broadness of its mission and the non-sectarian character 
of its work. There has been appointed by the archbishop 
of Massachusetts a priest to serve as the head of the work 
in the Catholic church in Massachusetts. This is a splen- 
did tribute to the value of the training given and to its 
large field of usefulness. 
Tue Greys’ CLuB at the Beverly Farms Baptist 
church has just completed ten years of valuable service 
in its chosen field of work. Last week they held open 
house and the Arbella club and all of the girls’ organiza- 
tions in the vicinity were guests of honor. These organ- 
izations are doing effectual work on the Shore that is 
being recognized by all. 
It Is Quite AMAZING how the many witnesses called 
by the commission, investigating the leak deny any cogni- 
zance of its beginnings. It is quite evident, however, that 
someone made a very shrewd guess or knew what was 
coming hours before the President had forwarded the 
notes to the various powers. The leak investigations have 
not amounted to much and have wasted much time. 
For THE Tuirp TIME the ivmigration bill has been 
vetoed because of the literacy test. It has been sent back 
with the President’s disapproval with practically the 
same reasons as advanced by Taft, Cleveland and Wilson 
hefore. There is a possibility of its being passed over 
the veto. 
Tuer Boston EvENING PAPER that is the most conser- 
vative in its headines and nolicies has for a heading these 
terrible words, “Living Costs Rising.” The statement 
was surprising and, of course, profound news for every- 
one. 
It Is EviweNn’, more than ever, that a discriminating 
veto should be given: to the President for articles in the 
appropriation bill. 
