The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-06-03
the arbitration of international dis

puteS u government may decide to
arbitrate before the last resort.
"According to Washington report,
however, some members of the cab
met favor an ultimatum in response
to the German note. This course
would be urged by the more impass-
Toned partisans of the allies, without
~hesitating, as well as by minimizing
flag waivers
II is safe, we trust, to say That If
peremptory action be adopted it will
not be because of jingoism or unbal-
anced partisanship."
Any one can talk for peace when
there are no clouds on the horizon.
When no one wants to fight us, and
when we have no excuse for fighting
anyone else, it Is no achievement TO
keep out of war.
1t is when Il real crisis appears,
when circumstances develop that
might be made the basis OF war
that the real test is applied TO .he
advocate of peace.
President Wilson has acclaimed
persistently and vigorously against
war throughout his administration.
But il he now allows this country
to be dragged into war, when there
Is amy way OF avoiding il, all his
pleas for peace will become so many
empty words.
What the Chicago Tribune means
to emphasize is that war would be
lightly or impetuously entered upon.
1t should be certainly borne in
mind that there are in the. United
States partizans of the Allies who
would applaud n declaration of war
by the United States against Germany
An enormous amount of publicity has
been given to the effort TO aronse
sentiment against Germany. Atroci-
ties and acts in violation of previous
rules of warfare, attributed to the
Germans, have been told and re-told
and denounced in violent language.
This anti-German sentiment might
now be employed as a groundwork
upon which to proceed to a declara-
ton of hostilities by the United
States.
But the American people and
above all. President Wilson, should
look ahead. Two questions sohuld be
asked and answered, and answered
.isincerely and carefully.
What would the United States
have to gain by a war with Germany?
Undoubtedly she would impress the
world with her sincerity in demand
ing respect Tor American lives and
American property. She would have
the satisfaction of serving the cause
of humanity as set forth in Presi-
dent Wilson's Lusitania protest. Be
yond this, there would be no advant-
age. There would be no territorial
gain for the United States and no
certainity of any commercial friene-
ships sufficient to offset the CONNER
cial hostility that would be developed
throughout the Teutonic kingdoms.
What has the United States to lose
by a war with Germany? The lives
of thousands of her best men and
young me1G Millions and probably
billions of money. At least a part
of her navy, inasmuch as the sub
marine has shown it's ability to de-
SlEUy WdtSulpS. |IIODAUIy " Soilsiu-
cradle part of her merchant shipping
in the war zone. Freedom from en-
tangiing alliances and enmities in
Europe, a freedom that has blessed
this country ever since George
Washington wisely counseled for it,
Decentralization of industry of al!
kinds would certainly result from
participation in the European war.
And beyond question we would lose
that commercial supremacy which is
being established for us, by reason
Of the impoyerishment in the war OF
the European powers.
But there is still another question
that President Wilson must ask him
self seriously. Are we as a nation
prepared to wage. a long distance