The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-01-05

to take heroic measures. We have
seen women parading with flags, even
| fighting, for the right TO vote, which
Is Infinitely less important.
Think for instance, % the women
OF Germany, i speak Of them because
q know them better than the women
OF tines other warning countries, but
the suffering of all IS the same. The
Germans love their homes perhaps
more than any other people in the
world. They are passionately deyo.
tied to their firesides and the beautiful
family life which one finds In all
classes throughout the empire. Has
not the German Christmas had its
influence in every country in the
world? The Germans love their chill:
'dren, young and old. and their effort
to make them happy are ideal. The
German Santa Claus, the Christmas
tree, German toys and folk.loye are
familiar the world over. Everyone who
loves children happy, especially at the
Christmas season.
Women Mad With Grief.
81 was singing in opera at Bay.
freuth at the very hour when war was
declared. The news was passed from
one to another throughout the great
audience. could feel the unrest, the
suppressed excitement, although no
word was uttered. The excitement
was infectious, And when finally
the curtain fell upon the act Thur.
'ried TO the wings to ask what could
have happened. We were wholly,
Funprepared for the news, had been
touring the German cities, and every.
where l had found large audiences.
wonderful enthusiasm, peace and
plenty, and no thought of this fright.
full war. The news came to US all
with the same awful shock.
1.-THE opera was continued that
night. difficult as the task was. The
audience began to disappear, and the
last act was given to an almost empty
house. The audience rushed to the
carriages and automobiles and hur.
ried away to respond to tho call to
arms and take their places in the
struggle. I remained for mafew days.
saw two trains leaving with soldiers
FLOR the front. 1t was heartbreaking.
could not stand 1t. and hurried
away to the mountains to try to for.
get 1t.
Not War, But Slaughter.
Il am not a politician and am not
discussing the rights or wrongs OF
the causes leading to this frightful
war, am only a woman, but ! am n
mother. and as such I protest with
my heart and soul against this wick
ed, horrible war. We call ourselves
civilized, and we coolly invent and
build these weapons which now NOV
down rows upon rows of living men.
This is not war; it is slaughter, hor-
'rible and unthinkable. And they say
the war is hardly commenced. What
unspeakable suffering are we to en-
dure. before 1t is over?
within a few hours l have heard
from Germany that the children Of
my dearest friend have been lost. I
call them childrenp for have known
them since held themaon myrknee.
| never weep or should cry for
them. Tho thought Of this suffering
almost drives me mad, have not
slept since heard of it, What gain
can come with victories which will
in the slightest degree justify such
war? What is the gain or loss
OF some small piece Of land COM
pared with the suffering of millions
OF families. wounds which will not
heal for generations?
Cannot the women-not alone the
German women, but all the women Of
| the world-unite to stop this horror?
We have seen the suffragettes fight
ing for a cause infinitely less impor.
tant. II they can organize and argue
and even fight for vote, why do
they not rise now In vigorous pro.
test? l am not criticizing any one.
The great problem before us women