Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-04-30
PITTMAN MAKES :
RINGING SPEECH
CONTINUED from page ~

should be dominated by Prussianism
or governed by democracy. and that
such question was not one tia, could
be determined through negotiations
or by arbitration. Even then, 80
great was the longing OF our presi-
dent for peace that through the break
ing of OF diplomatic relations with
the German government he gave a
last warning in the hope that they
would be brought to the realization
of their illegal and brutal acts and
would desist. II was all in vain. and
1t must appear to any thinking man
that further efforts are not only
hopeless but are dangerous to the
security OF our own government.
What agreement could be obtained
from a power that instituted the war
for the purpose of dominating the
world except to submit to such domi-
nation? What could we expect from
any peace agreement with govern
ment which treats a sacred treaty as
a scrap of paper?' What better
guarantee would we have with regard
to the world of the German govern
ment today than had the unfortu-
nate Belgian government?
There is no remedy against a con.
firmed murderer except death, and
there is no security against milit 1t
autocracy except determination. Our
heartstrings are torn by the pitiful
appeal OF the loving mothers that
We keep their boys out of war. you
and | do not possess the deep affec-
tons of these mothers; we cannot
even imagine the sufferings they en-
dure in every war. | know that they
have always been the greatest Suf-
ferers and borne the greatest bur-
dens of this war. | wish with all of
my soul that IL were within our
power to alleviate their grief and
lift their burdens, and / frankly con-
Tess that l would have been willing
to long stand the insults of the Prus-
sian autocracy If ! had not felt that
staying out of this war would but
have cast US into a greater war. And
TO the sincere pacifist let me say that
in your supposed isolation and Sc.
curity from this great war you are
but having a dream. Let Germany
defeat Russia tomorrow, and the day
after tomorrow il is our turn. While
we glory in the great democracy of
Russia, while we look forward with
the greatest hope 10 the building up
there of a great democratic govern
ment, we can not but have fear that
some of her people may not under
stand this great opportunity. We
cannot but have "a fear that before
they grasp firmly the reins of gov
disturbance that will break UP the
discipline of the Russian army. II
that discipline is once broken, then
Russia is gone and autocracy will
again be placed in control of that
country, an autocracy that will be
obedient to Prussianism. II. unfor-
tunately. that thing should happen,
and IL is possible, then Germany
would rule Continental Europe, and
Germany ruling Europe, with the ma.
vies of Europe, would have no trou-
| bic is conqucring the countries on
our north and on our south; and
then, instead of having to maintain
a standing army of 100000 or AGO..
900 men, we would be compelled TO
/ have standing army of 100000
men. There will be no peace on
earth until the Hohenzollerns art
somewhere in another place.
Those are the facts and the pos
sibilities you face. II were better
that we lose few of our men now
rather than millions of them later
on. II is preferable TO have a few
months of war now in cooperation
with the allies than to have years
of war later. alone and unassisted
time to act-not to act in hesitat
; ing manner. nor act in a niggardly
. way. but to act with all the grea'
force OF the government, powe
that no nation or no group of ma
tons on earth could ever overcome
hope to- God, when that power 4
shown TO them, that the German
! people who have so long been mis-
ruled by Prussianism. the German
people who have never been told tn,
conditions, the German people VIII,
have been taught by the Prussian
that victory is sure. will awake ant
will see that the defeat OF Prussian
ism IL inevitable, and that they will
rise in their new understanding ant
I in their patriotism and follow tn
example OF the Russian people b.
establishing democratic govern
mcnt that the allies and this cour
: TRY can and will treat with.
I'VE have no war against the Gel
!; imam people The minute that Pru'
! sIanism is stamped out in Germany
i whether It is stamped out by US o
Z by the German people themselves, a.
\ those countries who are now wa,