The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-30

WAR ECHOES

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Germany is
not starving, or in any imminent danger
of starvation. Yet the German govern
ment, on February l. will confiscate all the
wheat and flour in the empire. The ae-
ton Is taken, not to meet an emergency,
but to guard against an emergency.
The people of Germany, as individuals,
cannot be expected to be as cautious and
far-seeing as the government. Upon the
government lies the responsibility; a heav-
Ter responsibility, perhaps, than has been
borne by any government of modern
times. The government as far as pos
sible, imbues the people with it's own ef-
ficiency. When it finds its efforts not
sufficiently successful 1t assumes the
rights of paternalism In an unexampled
manner
The grain is to be held by the govern
ment merely to prevent wastefulness. A
long war is expected, and the day may
would save the nation. From now on no
citizen will be permitted to consume more
food than is necessary for his well being.
1t seems the final triumph of paternalism.
The British press and public will doubt
less display great pleasure as result of
the German order. They will believe
that the informal blockade of the German
coast has actually brought the empire to
state of despair. In this they will
be bad reckoners. 1t will be long before
Germany can be in actual want of food,
and the forethought of the government
materially extends the period of safety.
Philadelphia Ledger: Misguided enthus-
lasts for peace may easily bring the ma
ton within reach of war. The sincerity
of those who propose to meet in the
Academy of Music tomorrow night to pro-
test against the sale of munitions of war
to belligerents need not be questioned;
but their wisdom must be. BY every prin-
cipal of international law the government
Is restrained from forbidding such sale;
and the recent letter from Secretary
Bryan to Senator Stone makes 1t plain
that there is not the least intention at
Washington of departing from this prin-
ciple. To do SO, especially at this time,
would be distinctly unneutral act. II
would be taking away from the allies the
advantage they have over Germany and
Austria by their control of the sea. Worse
than this, it might involve a warlike act
hereafter.
Those who do not sympathize with the
allies have the same right to express their
opinions as those who do. But the meet
ing at the Academy of Music, IL this be
any part of its purpose, has been called
under false colors. 1t is ostensibly de-
mand that the United States essay to
end the war by cutting off the supplies
of the belligerents on one side. This is
not bringing peace, but a sword; and
enlightened public sentiment in this coun-
try will not tolerate false pacificism. in
which impossible aims obscure inevitable
facts. 1t would be ruinous to our OWL
interests as well as those of the rest OF
the civilized world were a weak sentiment
talism to control the policy of the gov
eminent at this crisis.
piled the impulse for such a meeting
whether it resolves itself into an attack
upon one side and a defense of the other
1t is obvious that public officials who at
/ tend it will commit a grave improperly
They cannot associate their private views
from their official position. They cannot
| help giving measure of popular sane
ton to movement which has no real pop
| ular approval Let the hyphenated Amer
leans and the one-ideaIed theorists hay,
| the floor if they want it, Those whit
! really want to be neutral should sta,
| away.