Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-07
a possibility that the arguments of the
president will appeal.

A$
Obviously, then, it behooves us and
the peoples with WHOM we are allied
to support the fearless statement OF
peace terms by convincing not only
the German people but the German
monarch as we'll that their military de-
feat is inevitable.
Thus the whole thing comes back to
the question of armed strength and to
the necessity for armed superiority on
the part of ourselves and our allies.
With us it means more, for we have
undertaken not only to furnish an
army, but to feed it and our allies, and
to furnish supplies and money with
which the combined forces may win
the struggle.
Vocal appreciation of the presidents
eloquence and forceful language does
not help one whit to win the war. He
has told the world what Germany must
do to obtain peace, but he and all the
world know that only series OF mill
tary reverses can force either the Ger
man public or the German monarch to
meet the conditions he names. Anu
those military reverses will be posi-
BILE to inflict only if you and give our
utmost service to the government III
support of the policies to which the
presidents message commits US.
The decisive break with Austria was
inevitable. 1t is proper step TOWARD
efficient prosecution of the war. There
is reason to believe similar declara
lions should be made soon against
Turkey and Bulgaria At most such
declarations merely recognize the
state of war which in fact has existed
for many months.
1t is of the highest Importance that
we "clear away all impedlments 10
success" as the president says, anu
make every adjustment OF law tnat
will facilitate the full and free use OF
our whole capacity and force as 4
fighting unit"
Although there is no reason TO De
lieye that he had it in mind, the phrase
involuntarily presents the thought tna'
one of our great impediments to sue
cess lies in the unwieldy machinery
for carving on our war activities ~
tbe seat of government supreme
war council and strengthening OF the
cah inet are needed to facilitate the
h,ll and free use of our whole capaclty
and force as a fighting unit" and TINS
is fitting time to throw aside part'
sanship and personal considerations
so the interests of the nations, ana OF
the world as well, may be serveh.
feature of the presidents message
which cannot be passed without com
ment and one, too, which replies 70
those critics of the governments wal
policy who have declared America was
being made victim of the greed OF
her European allies, is the declaration
that in the event of victory over the
kaiser's autocracy, .'we shall be nee 70
base peace on generosity and 1ustlce
to the exclusion of all selfish claims o.
advantage even on the part OF victors.
This is definite notice to England
| France and Italy that territorla
aggression and the cornering OF woIie
markets shall not be permitted as
! result of any victory in which America
may be interested. 1t is guaranty e
the Germans that America Will protec'
their proper rights in the peace confer
ence and warning to the other ma
tons at war that this country VIII de
mand deciding voice in the framing
! of the treaty in the event OF that VIC
tory over Germany and her allies or
which both threats and promise are
Z! of necessity predicated.