Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-08
OUTSIDE POINT OF VIEW

1T seems strange thaC the VeSetdrl-
ans are not making more of their OPP
portunity. The present object lesson
is SO plain. For several months there
has been going on a savage warfare
between Japan and Russian. At least
100000 men are under arms The rat
ions of these men, on both sides, make
very little of meat diet. Dried fish,
perhaps, IS outside Of the vegetarian
class, but it is far from being meat
diet as meat eaters understand their
needs and wants. The facts are these
100000 soldiers are living on an almost
exclusive ration of grain, in different
forms. To be sure, wheat can hardly
be classed as a vegetable, but certain
it is that wheat, rye, rice and dried
fish are furnishing the present fight
ing qualities of both Japanese and
Russian soldiers. With this in mind
practice of furnishing our American
soldiers, both in times of war and
peace, a fresh meat ration? At mill
lions of dollars of expense during the
war with Spain we sent refrigerator
ships loaded with fresh beef to our
soldiers. What for? To keep up their
fighting qualities? Was it necessary?
| This theory of meat eaters, having
superabundance Of ferocity, courage
and savagery. because Of their diet,
that meat makes bull dogs and tigers
of men when freely partaken of, has
received rude shock. At this
moment the most savage war
fare Of modern days, is being carried
on at Port Arthur. Bombs, such as the
anarchists used at Chicago, are in
daily USE The dead are left unburied
purposely to cause pestilence. Hand
to hand encounters with swords are a
most common occurrence. Poisoned
water and Greek fire are as yet omit
non meaters Of Japan and Russia, but
never before has there been shown less
care for life than among the common
soldiers in both the mikados and cars
armies. We call this courage. Surely
it does not come from the bracing eff
fects Of meat diet. Some writer's
will have it that the Russian soldiers
are using vast quantities Of intoxicat-
ing liquors, that their soldiers, sailors
and officers frequently go into battle
half drunk, explaining thus their reck-
lessness. Admit this, 1t does not pre-
vent equal courage on their part when
sober for they must be sober some Of
the time, and as the Japs are not ac-
cused Of using such intoxicating IL
quors their courage Is still an unex-
planned affair, this If we think meat Is
the necessary food for fighters.
= . .
Appropos of all this newspaper talk
Of Shaw going out of the Roosevelt
cabinet on March 4th, and of his can
didacy for the office Of president in
1908, 1t can be said that II such can
didacy assumes any proportions, so
that 1t Is discussed seriously,
there will be a remarkable con-
dition of affairs in Iowa at that
time. Instead Of united republican
press and party in the state there will
be civil war in republican ranks. At
this time, not to attempt to give the
cause for such an antagonistfc feeling
In republican circles, nor to even claim
it is wise or Justtha.bie It IS plain to
any one watching Iowa affairs, that
Mr.. Shaw has some Of the most BIT
ter political enemies Of any man In
Iowa. Governor Cumm4ns has politi-
cal enemies enough to make his friends
lots OF trouble" J. W. Blythe is occa-
sionally held UP as the boyle man. All
of our representatives In congress are
blessed or cursed bys scores Of dssat-