Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-04-15


1t was a coincidence, Of course that
at times the voices of the speakers
were nearly drowned OUT by rumble
as If OF thunder. 1t was the noise of
national guardsmen drilling in another
hall in the Coliseum Why was that
particular night selected as the time
for having an unusually hard and
noisy drii1 OF the local military or
ganization under conditions which. it
was certainly known would Interfere
with the peace Of the peace meeting?
Des Moines Is city Of certainties.
On the letterheads Of the Des
Maines branch OF the National Secur-
ity League is given a list Of officers of
this organization, the secretary Of
which recently indicated by sensa-
tional resignation desire to prevent
any discussion Of the sources Of in
SEPARATION for the Emilftarfst propa-
ganda, and the Treasurer of this local
branch Is Frederick NJ. Hubbell the
leading citizen of our town. Last We'd
nesday evening Mr.. HabbeH. million
aire business man. sat ,on a hard seat
for three hours in raw near the front
and listened to the speakers He APP
plauded the speakers heartily. He ap-
peared to enjoy the discussion and to
appreciate the facts presented. He
signed up the little paper OF member
ship 80 that he could get other litera-
ture. 1t is a good guess he put his
name down for a contribution. And
If Fred Hubbeil can do that. there are
others who also refuse to be
Stampeded.
Reverting to the quotations at the
head OF this article the thought has
come to the writer that what is need
ed right here in Iowa at this time Is
not so much a ''mi!itarist" organization
financed by the munitions trust nor a
''pactfist' organization not financed at
all. but a statewide organization Of
public men and women. Of this state
only, having for it's purpose the gath
ering Of reliable information as to ey-
cry phase Of the impending conflict,
securing every particle of truth avail
able. listening to the abiest OF Ameri-
cans. and disseminating the facts
among the people to the end that there
shall be preparedness to decide the
new issues.
1T Is not new thought. that here is
the heart OF America. They are just
finding II out even in regions where
the smell is strong from the Sums.
We have long admitted that the intel
lectual leadership OF America has been
moved from New England to the Mis-
sisslppi valley 1t IS not an extrava-
gance to say that here Is where the
greater problems Of national existence
N he 6arfHod ror
for it is obvious and can not be dis
puted. What the speakers here said.
as quoted above. but carries out the
Thought often before expressed n
these columns regarding the new rec
ognitfon being given to these true AM
orleans OF the midland region. The
homage paid to us Is our due. But II
we are to continue to deserve that
homage we must prepare by securing
the widest dissemination OF the truth,
among the people. It is unfortunate. to
say the least, that nowhere did there
appear in Iowa any considerable ac-
count OF what Judge Taft said at
Ames. The sparkling truth which
Bryan gave us reached only few
people. A verbatim report Of what
was said by Pinchot, Wise. Bigelow,
Wetherly and Berle. would, il printed,
find many eager readers
After hearing number Of these
speakers. on both sides, II there are
two sides, the fact is driven home that
much Of the verbal warfare Is directed
against straw warriors. There are no
peace at any price" people; there are
no "militarists" Everybody Isl for
preparedness. Everybody is for peace
But there is difference as to how to
accomplish results.
That man will deserve well Of his
state who shall plan an effective way
of forming an organization for the I'M
biased study Of the whole subject to
the end that Iowa people. ~ least eli
the commencement Of controyersy
that Is going to cover dozen years
Just to get fairly Started. SHAH be the
best informed people IN tise world or
these matters Of great moment
Every Iowan ought to feel sense
Of pride in the sincere compliment
paid to them by All the speakers who
come TOM Iar or urQlx. % 71~t'issrt 8
this jury their causes, I,
sisis5ss - = ~