Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-19
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1917.



TT seems certain that tho United States and Ger
Il many cannot long stay IN the "twlight zone be-
tween war and peace which they have occupied since
the breaking OF diplomatic relations. That they have
been abic to stay there long they have, consd-
cfng tho circumstances that forced them there estab
fishes a precedent in international relations.
For nearly two years preceding tho break il was
with tho greatest difficulty that what passed for friend
~ relations maintained. with experienced dipo
mats at both capitals and the leading statesmen OF
both nations rosortng to every expedent TO smooth
the many points OF irritation caused by the re-
fusa OF the Prussan military caste TO give the slight
est consideration the rights OF neutras when those
rights connicted with their plans of "frghtfuness"
II safe say that at least dozen times in those
two years almost superhuman efforts required
the part OF President Wilson and his advisors and the
few sane statesmen Germany who sincerely desired
peace with the United States to prevent rup
ture which almost certainly would have led to war
The rupture was avoided beoausS it always
possible for Washington to deal directly with Berlin
without delay through the regular diplomatic chan
nes.
Now those channels are closed and whatever COM
munIcatlon there is between the two governments
must because OF its ndrecton, be slow and unsatis-
factory
Il seems at this writing as though war with Ger
many is inevitable as inevitable as fate
Every scrap Of information that from Ger
many indicates that government and people deter
mined to carry out their announced policy of fright
fulness TO the limit
The particular act Of aggression which will take
out OF the twilight zone" into the war may
cur today tomorrow next week
The time OF relative unimportanco What is OF
vital importance is that this act is certain to
II IS the duty OF every American to take stock OF
hR mental physical and financial equipment with ref
to how he most effectively can play his part in
tho war
For we could make greater mistake than to de-
Judo ourselves that with Germany will simply
mean another phase OF diplomatic situation
War with Germany will mean fighting It will mean
IN tho first place that must use every ounce Of
naval power have aud can create to rid the seas
OF submarine pirates and protect our ships and cu-
zens.
h will mean that must begin at once 10 create
great citizen army and to manufacture the arms,
munitions and the thousand ono articles necessary
for the equipment.
VIC must prepare TO throw weight into tho scales
against Germany, and whatever force is necessary
TO mako certain the crushing OF Prussan miarsm.
For it would be suicidal for this country 60 permit
Prussan militarism TO be victorious. either land
on sea- after have gone into the war.
In tho end Il will be economical both OF lilo and
money for 10 proceed ON the theory that Germany
az the zenith OF her powers; that she is going
defeat Great Britain the thereby releasing
the German feet for attack and that our fu-
ture safety depends upon the speed with which We
bring 70 the assistance OF the Allies the full power
OF our naval. military and financial strength
We shall have been forced into tho war against our
viii and desire but. in. let play mans part
mat the agony be ended as soon as possible.