The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-07-01
F.. w. Howe's Monthly.
Devoted to Indignation and Information.


MIR. E. W. Howe, who made the Atch
ison. Kansas, Globe the most unique ant
most quoted daily newspaper in this
country, and has four successful novels
and several books of travel to his credit,
before retiring few years ago from
newspaper work often expressed the
intention of having a medium in which
he could give mis- personal views withou
fear or favor. This led to the publica
ton whose title is given above. From
the latest issue we copy the following
article, which will be found both inter
esting and instructive:
The Big Fact This Year.
The tremendous fact of 1915 is not thai
eight civilized nations are at war.
1t is that one nation is whipping foul
or five others that should, singly, be
equally powerful.
Germany is winning in spite of great
odds, and in spite of two allies that are
hindrance rather than help. And Ger
many is winning because its people have
been trained from the cradle to be effici-
ent in everything they attempt.
Let it be remembered now and for
ever, and spread on the record, that eff
fciency means nothing more than simple
common sense; the easiest and best way
OF accomplishing all human results with
least effort.
David Lloyd-George, representing the
proud English government, was COMPEL
ed to publicly state before an audience
in Manchester, on the evening of June
Sd, that German victory in the present
war was due to overwhelming superior.
ity in equipment. 81 come here to tell
you the TRUTH" he said. 81 bring the
most important message ever delivered
to an English audience. The Germans
have achieved great success not because
of superior valor of their soldiers, or
strategy of their generals, but because
of superior equipment. The Germans
won because of the superior organ.
ization of German workshops; be-
cause of the superiority of their skilled
Industries. We have been endeavorlng
to conduct war with the ordinary I'M
trained methods of peace against the
most formidable antagonist that ever at
tackled human freedom.
Germany is attacking only that human
freedom which demands shorter hours
and higher wages for SLOUGH workmen.
That is exactly what Lloyd-George said
to his audience, except that his language
was couched in potter terms; that was
exactly the message he referred to as
''the most important message ever de-
livered to an English audience.
A few days ago another English Off
cial confessed to the world that repairs
to English ships could not be made be-
cause of labor union rules; because the
workmen insisted on extra holidays, on
drinking lntoxlcants, Oh double pay for
night work, etc.
Not only are the Germans teaching
the world lesson in efficiency, but
tremendous lesson as to the dangerous
lengths to which trade unionlsm may go.
The proud descendants of Napoleon
have been forced to come to this coun-
try and beg for funds with which to take
care of the French soldiers German
efficiency is woundlng. A representa-
tive OF the French visited Kansas City
June 3rd and gave this picture of the
Frerch wounded, in his efforts to raise
money:
1.-TWO pitifully small candles throw in
to shadow the orderly rows of seats in
schoolroom," the speaker said. ga
young, inexperienced medical student
stands in one of the aisles. In front of
him are two rough boards nailed across
the seats in lieu of an operating table.
The young man blows his breath through
his hands to keep them warm. A wound
ed soldier is brought in and laid upon the
table With instruments which in peace
full times had been used by carpenter
and butcher, the young man COM
mences to amputate the soldiers leg.
There are no anasthetics to dull the pain
of the operation. What water there is,
is icy cold, all the fuel being conserved
for cooking food. With the operation
finished. the young man bandages his
patient with linen that has done much
service before and is unwashed. The
wounded soldier is carried away and
another is brought in.
The Germans. fighting four or five
countries that should be as powerful as
their own, are doing no begging in this
country or any other. They take care
of their wounded in the trenches; they
have first class hospital facilities.
Why have not the French?
Because they are pleasure-loving and
have neglected the rules of simple eff
ficiency and common sense; because they
have gone mad over liberty, shorter
hours and luxury. The people at war.
except the Germans, have overloaded
twentieth century civilization by de-
handing less work, less order and more
luXuries than are humanely possible.
And our own lack of efficiency is no
less marked than that of the English,
French and Russians. Recently there
was to be naval maneuver near New
York, and twelve of our submarines
were ordered to be present. Eleven of
them were out of order, according to
newspaper reports, and couldn't go.
And you will recall the lamentable his
tory of the Yankee submarine which
made practice dive in Honolulu harbor
several months ago; it hasn't come up
yet, although dozens of divers and sever
al warships have been trying to pull it
up.
The present German efficiency, polite
ness and simple common sense is probab-
ly due to long training of the people by
able leaders; but if it is due to the pres
ent Kaiser, l have no hesitancy in de-
claring him to be the greatest man of
his time. In everything we have better
opportunities than the Germans, and do
not equal them in anything. Compare
our naval fight at Manila, in which we
were opposed by warships SO rotten that
they never wounded single sailor in
our fleet, with the fight the Germans
are making against the British naVv