The weekly soliphone., 1917-02-08
WILSON AND GERMANY.

To those of us who are far removed from the veNa- tous problems confronting President Wilson in this hour of the nations suspense the thought may occur that his action in severing diplomatic relations with Germany was not what would have done had the monentolls decision rested with us We know so little of real ditions-condtons which the state department and the President thoroughly undersand-that it is childish to express even opinion with reference to the wisdom of his action. Fortunately the public whole does not stand sponsor in this crisis except to the extent that indorsemen disapproval may be expressed. Mr. Will son chosen by more than eight million Americans to represent them spokesmen and official head. We must accept his verdict with every assurance that it is controlled by necessity, and must resolve further more support his though personal sacrl flee may come. If with Germany results from a severance of diplomatic relations, there will be few shirkers when the actual hour of test Much as abhor with all its brutality and seemingly useless boodshed and heartaches, there comes time in the history of every nation when must be shouldered in defense of home and native land In the present con- fict if conflict it be, not aggressors Fhe Pres dent has repeatedly warned Germany against the con- tinuance of unlawful acts, and Germany has persisted in being her judge and exectionef. More than two hundred Americans have lost their lives upon the high seas since the Euopeanhoocaust began in August 1914 This paper does not agree with many of the views eX pressed by high officials regarding Germanys errone ols conception of international law. We have argued from the beginning that the American policy Of supply
 
 and manesty unfair though justified by precedent and not frowned upon by treaties We have felt that it would be far better for the United States to cut Europe entirely off it's exchange list while in her present dement, ed condition rather than the risk of becoming n- yoyed in the conflict to protect money changers who are reapng gigantic fortunes at the expense of heart
 aches and desoated homes We have felt that Eng lands arrogance at not surpassed by Germanys arrogance on land and that the violation of Belgium constituted greater crime than the rape of Greece and treatment accorded the Netherlands But people, hold different views So long as Time lasts there will be opposing thought. Some centralized authority must decide all great issues We know of no American bet ter equipped to anaze correctly the present status of international relations than Woodrow Wilson We trust
 implicitly in his judgment and in his honesty of purpose He believes in himself in his country and in his coun try people, There is nothing of the bully or the yrant in his makeup-no disposition to carve out path of conquest or to become the aggressor i'll any situation True American that he s-patriot statesman, Christian we shall follow his lead even tohugh 1t may become necessary to ench ourselves in the rivers of blood that flow across the French frontier and bathe our faces in tears that fall from weeping eyes when gf1ef-s1cken mothers and sisters sWeehears and wives are pressed to our breasts in the last farewell If duty calls us to un- furl the flag of freedom more, there will be mil lions to answer the call and chapter will be writ ten upon the pages of German history God grant that 1t shall fall to lot to swords with the Ieutonc nations God grant that we may be spared the anguish our kinsmen caross the Atlantic suffering It sckens ones sensbilites to contemplate what happen if the Kaiser persists in following the policy outlined in his note to the Washington government We doubt not that in Germany there is feeling of righteousness back of the movement Desperation easily warps the judg
 ent For proud heroic nation to feel the pinch of ag- gression and view want and misery as 1t IS beng day written upon the faces of women and children is of it. self imperial justification for almost any act of ruthless ness There are few really honorable who would not steal rob or murder for their loved The man who would not plunge dagger into the back of an ene- my to prevent his ownchild from starving on account of policy established and maintained by that enemy, IS coward in the extreme A nation that would fail to brush aside the entreaties of friendly nation in an ef-