Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-08-11
THE DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL
Salem whose circulation Is guaranteed py e
Audit Bureau Crcuations.
SOME EFFECTS OF THE WAR

The war in Europe has had tremendous effect not
ony on the America of today but the America OF the
future 1t has removed isolation for one tng and
shown us that whether will not, we must be party
to worldwide affairs 1t has been the American pocy
not to interfere with European affairs, to avoid all
alliances and content ourselves far as our
political dealings with the balance OF the world are con-
cerned with the protection of the Monroe doctrine The
war has changed all this. We md ourselves forceo
whether or to take part in the battle IN Europe pe
tween the democracies Of the world and It's remaining
autocraces. We find ourselves allied in fact II not by
agreement with the larger part OF Europe IN settg
what in one sense is entirely European atfalr IL is
because it is not such but matter vital to the whole
world that we find ourselves in the midst OF the enange
ments Washington advised against Our position hereto
fore was no doubt correct and fitted in with existing con-
ditons but times have changed and conditions have
changed with them Prussan activities on sea- her ruin
less submarine warfare became menace to u.s. Her
arrogance became unbearable and her actons showed
that once she conquered the allies she would attack u.s.
and had determined long ago. We were placed IN tne
position of person in deadly peril from an assaha
who in self defense is forced to strike first
Not only has the war in its ramcatons spread SO far
that it included this country within its grasp but 1t mas
changed our business affairs drastcaly and permanently
Heretofore have always relied on raising our armies
at least at the start of war; by enStments Inns is
changed and we suddenly our custom and adopt
the system Of the nations Of Europe We adopt the seec
tive draft and it is submitted to without serious obec
ton because we realized it is the only talr way Oh raising
army 81
Yesterday the food control bill became law, one Of
the most drastic measures adopted by this country
and one that anyone predicting its adoption year ago
would have been the subject of unlimited rldcue We
have arranged to have the government take charge OF
food supply and manage in the interest of the great
public We have said the fuel supply must be under the
charge of the government and managed and dstbuted
in the interest of the whole country. We have COM
mandeered ships and ship yards We have arranged to
take possession of the railroads. if ecessay in the public
interest We have fixed minimum price on wheat, and
this to encourage the grower to still greater effort and
at the same time have prepared to conserve the 1000
stuffs of the country in its own interest
All these are socalstic measures, and while some OF
them will pass with the war; all will not nor will their
teachings be lost The people having found some OF these
things least helpful will insist their being retained
1t may government ownership of all transportation
systems it may the control of foodstuffs during
peace as we'll as while at 1t may mean that min
imum price shall be established for the principal food
products and the elimination of the mddeman other than
the government 1t certainly will great changes IN
our domestic policies for the people having found some
thing gave them relief from unsatisfactory conditions
during the will naturally turn to it to obtain the
same relief in time of peace, should it be necessary
In other words have grated many scion OF
socialism to the stem of political tree, and it will
surely bear sociaistic fruit
Another thing the will do for us is to make us
again great sea-going nation After the the Amer
ican flag which had almost disappeared from foreign
ports will again greet the rising in every hour of its
Journey around the world This will still further draw us