Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-02
Germany MpadeS America.

The incendiary fire on the Baltimore waterfront
brings rude awakening to persons who have
dreamed that because the Atlantic rolls
between our shores and Europe Americans
have nothing to fear from German frightfuIness.
What could be palmer than the warning of that five
million-dollsr wreckage heap? Great quantities of
munitions and foodstufs ready for shipment to our
soldiers in France and their allies, large British
steamship invaluable in this time of scant ocean
tonnage, and railroad piers whose worth for war
service alone beyond reckoning, all were re-
duced' to junk and ashes by few minutes work of
German spies. By happy chance the attendant
loss of life small. but We may be sure that In
all such instances IL will be large the Kaisers
agents can make il. Let there be no further illu-
sion concerning the purpose and power of our foe.
Germany is making upon US, on our own shores,
by every means she muster; and it is her eager
hope make it eventually just the sort of she
has waged in Europe, all-devourng and unspeakably
brutal.
Long before the United States was forced into
this world-confict Germany was attacking our
commerce and industry, denying us the common
rights OF the high seas. sinking peaceful American
ships killing innocent American citizens, directing
her agents this side to do their utmost both by
force and bribery to disrupt numerous lines Of
d
HohenzoIlsrn province. The fact is, as neutral
the United States tolerated so many German
wrongs that we came to accept necessary evils
conditions which less patient people would have
made an immediate occasion for war. But the in
Juries have suffered heretofore are trivial be-
side those which Germany henceforth will seek to
pour upon rs No doubt she will continue her
old strategies. such slush funds for hiring venal
publishers and traitorous demagogues. But she
win not pause with these with any of her
former methods OF Gripping industries and
trying to divide people. She will pause at
nothing that her adopts in frightfulness de-
wise and put into execution.
Lamentable though Ii is, the fire the Balti-
more waterfront was simply piece Of the Prus-
sianism to be expected. 1t admonishes us of what
we have known from the outset, that the spies
and agents of ruthless enemy scattered
through all parts of the country bent upon making
all the trouble they But let one imagine
that Germany will be content with the occasional
destruction OF shipping facilities and of
milton and food. Her hate for America is too i'm
placable TO leave any plan or instrument of
venge intried Her ultimate aim, of course, is to
repeat in this country the brutalities which she
heaped upon Belgium. But she will not wait upon
the contingency of some far-reaching future inva-
sion. Whatever she do. either by stealth or by
bold adventure. she will do at the earliest possible
day.
We need not admit the possibility of German
air raids on American cities to recognize that real
perils exi}t-thOugh it is worth noting that such
raids are considered quite probable by informed
and conservative a man as DR.. Lyman B. Powell,
president Hobart college, who recently returned
from the II is not needful that be-
come alarmed: indeed. alarm would play directly
into the German scheme. But il is important that
realize fully and wildly the fact that
country is at with the most brutal Power the
world has ever known. Power whose particular
forte is TO kill helpless civilians-women and chill
dren as we'll men-snd whose favorite means OF
warfare arson land and assassination at
sea- The sooner realize the inhuman and alto
gether desperate character of this enemy the bet
ter will it be for all the things hold dear and
the sooner we can muster utmost strength to
crush that enemy. the better will it be for America
and for mankind.