The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-04-21
One Country and One Flag
In Peace and In War

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With the ultimatum that President Viii
son has sent to the imperial German gov
eminent, this country faces the gravest
situation at any time since the beginning
of the world war, situation which may
conceivably at almost any moment plunge
this country into war with Germany
But whatever the outcome of the ulti-
matum of this government may be, what
ever hazards this country may face, one
thing stands out strongly and conspicu-
ously. and that is that the president has
back of him the consolidated forces of hun
dreds of thousands of patriotic men, whose
allegiance is unquestionable and loyalty
unwavering.
The United States has not sought war
with Germany. And it is more than posi-
Bile that this country may not be drawn
into the conflict It is also possible that
exigencies may arise which may force the
United States into war.
But, whatever the outcome of the ulti-
matum sent by President Wilson to the inn
perial German government, his note has
met with the approval, not only of his own
party, but of men foremost in the Repub-
lican ranks; among these are Senators
Lodge, Wadsworth, Curtis and Sterling.
I'm February, 1915, the German govern
ment announced its intention to treat the
waters surrounding Great Britain and Ire
land as embraced within the seat of war
and to destroy all merchant ships owned
by its enemies that might be found within
any part of that portion of the high seas,
warning all vessels, of neutral or belliger-
ent ownership, to keep out of the waters it
had thus prescribed or else enter them at
their peril" Throughout the months of
controversy which have followed, during
which time all the laws of international
warfare have again and again been broken,
President Wilson has made every effort to
keep this country out of war, and at the
same time to maintain the honor and in
tegrity of the nation.
In spite of censure, of ridicule, of attacks
within and without his own party, he has
held firmly to his intention to prevent war,
if possible; to face war if inevitable
Those who have accused the president of
weakness and wavering are those who
have lacked in farsightedness and stability
themselves, mistaking bravado for courage
and impetuosity for forcefulness This
country owes to the wisdom and sanity of
its chief executive that the United States
has, with honor, been able so long to main
tain peace.
Should the ultimatum sent to the Ger
man government result in the severance OF
friendly relations with that government
ior even eventually result in war, the people
of the United States will have the knowl-
edge that their leader has not recklessly
thrown the glove of challenge into the face
of the enemy, but that sanely, reasonably
and wisely he has counseled and sought in
every possible way to avert war.
Should war be forced upon us, let this
country then face the issue with that cour-
age and that fortitude that the president has
shown, in all his dealings; and let us, OIL
whatever nationality, remember that we
are of one country and one flag, and hold
the honor of that country and that flag
above all other considerations.
When political enemy recently helped
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