Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-11-20
j The h War: What Against
What For
Wc.arc.fichnnr fof Anrrics- and against

1T Wefarc ffEntirg Tor AnRTleH anu hEuWSt
Germany. But even military autocracy
does not dare TO defend massacres on the
mere ground Of national egotlsm. The
German ruling class organized it, vast
p~ropaganda solely TO convince the world,
including the Germans, that il IL fighting
for principle. And the considerable de-
%vclopment Of that propaganda l. chiefly
due to it, positive elements. The Germans
tell us they arc fighting to spreadN''kul-
tur," scientific efficiency and organization,
state socialism.
We arc fighting against the effort Of
autocracy TO spread at the expense of dem
ocracy. We are fighting TO prevent mill
tarism from committing successful agrees
sion. We are fighting against war. against
tho return of barbarism. what are we
fighting for?
Why rest with the statement hat we
are fighting against war and preparations
for war, l. it not infinitely more inSpir-
ing that We are fighting Off that ceascless
of the relations between the
nations which can not IA. to lead toward
tho federation Of the world!
Why say We are fighting merely to de-
fend democracy! Are We not fighting to
spread it? We can not spread il by
means of the machine gun. We do not
issue IN ultimatum TO the German people.
You must accept democracy. But wee do
scc-and say-that a long a. autocracy
continues TO exist we shall be obliged to
~ vn Eat,n t,~1 90 x-.-f-~ - -
But the German people may adopt some
deceptive compromise that i neither an
nor democracy. This VIC intend to-
prevent, hut we can prevent il only by
the world that democracy j. superior in
war, in diplomacy. in industrial technique
and organization, in the hardlin. of racial
and other minoritics: that We lead in ed
ourselves a. to the issues of war.
in the formulation of just terms OF peace.
md in willingness 10 sacrifice the smaller
for the larger good.
We arc fighting to demonstrate the su-
pcriority Of democracy. But what democ-
riley has given " chiefly so far has been
individual opportunity. In the lack Of ma
organization this opportunity has
been little utilized for the national welfare.
We are fighting to develop O superiority
Germany has thrown down the chal-
We have to beat her in her chosen
field, the development OF industrial tech-
nique under the leadership Of government.
We shall not soon excel her as to thor
.1uchnesS. which means long preparation
md often coercion or subordination of the
But We shall excel in the farl
more important matter Of bringing forth
,anization-in proportion a. We build up
national oreanization-will prove super
or -bccause 20 manv Individuals in all
much not being demanded Of
hem-will give more than i demanded.
Again the Germans have produced an
government. But they have pro-.
luccd ii by physical. mental and moral
'ompulsion Of the individual. The state Isl
'verything, il shapes the very thoughts
md aspirations of the people. a. a result
he state \ worshipped. not only for what
( j. but also for what II + NOT. The stated
an do no wrong-at least abroad. Att
Tome il may not he omnisrient but il i ON
lipotent. II il fate: resistance IS incon-
revolution an outworn~ theory
low can the great bulk Of citizens developl
'ither courage or intelligence in their atti-
ude 10 such b statee
The Democratic governments of the
world also have been assuming vast indus
nal functions since the war-and il isl
that some Of these functions will
% permanent. But these activities are not
on any state doctrine taught the
people by governments. When the people
felt = need, the state has been their
heir servant TO supply that nced-wherrnsI
Germany il j. the people that are the