The cartoon, drawn to illustrate the scepticism of the Poles, should drive home a truth to the Americans. We must realize that camouflage is not confined to military operations. Its use to deceive armies is not so dangerous as its use to deceive the nations behind armies. From bitter experience the Poles are learning that behind the prince put forward as ruler is hidden German militarism and German imperialism.
This form of political camouflage is as dangerous for the United States as for Poland. Peace proposals may come to us—they will come to us—in plausible and appealing form. They will have the appearance of fairness and justice. What is behind them? What inspires them?
Our mission in this war is sanctified by its goal. To attain that goal we have consented to make sacrifices unprecedented in the history of our nation. From a purely military standpoint, no camouflage can possibly obscure the path to the goal, and the method of reaching the goal. The German armies, as yet unconquered, stand in front of us, defending the loot of German imperialism, won by German militarism. We must dispossess these armies of their loot, and punish them for having looted. But—alas!—diplomacy is at work in 1918 to attempt to save by wile what cannot indefinitely continue to be held by force. Every means of diplomatic camouflage will be used by our enemies. Our inspiration, our determination to pursue the struggle to the bitter end, will be kept alive only if we see, through various forms of camouflage, the spiked helmet hidden behind them. To make peace with Germany wearing the spiked helmet would mean to consecrate the success of her imperialistic policy.
HERBERT ADAMS GIBBONS.
Speeding Up
Uncle Sam: “I think I had better speed up and build a ship or two!”
| April | 8. | Keel laid. |
| 4th | day. | Double bottom completed. |
| 6th | ” | Frames and bulkheads erected and portion of shell plating finished. |
| 7th | ” | Stern-frame in place. |
| 14th | ” | Boilers put on board. |
| 21st | ” | Stern-post bored and stern-tube put in place. |
| 22d | ” | Masts stepped and engine installation begun. |
| 24th | ” | Funnel put in place. |
| 26th | ” | Machinery all in and engines completely installed. |
| Finishing touches. | ||
| May | 5 | (27th day). Launched. |
The building of the “Tuckahoe,” April-May, 1918, at Camden.
