South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-05

men may be needed on the other side. This pOssibl
ity the certainty the German U-boat menace
really not a thing be sneezed at bring it home
again what Ambassador Gerard lately recalled from
the German capital insisting since
his return.
IF we don't night the war on other side Of the
Atlantic we shall have 10 night out on this side OF
the Atlantic"
This warning given by Ambassador Gerard again at
Chicago Thursday night supported by the latest
revelations Of the Uboat campaign say nothing OF the
uprising Russia. The under-sea drive
against the worlds shipping is succeeding far better
than most Americans expected.
When the first months victims came short Of Ger
prophecies it taken for granted that the
campaign was doomed to failure as previous campaigns
had But instead of weakening. the U-boat Of
fensive has strengthened The last two weeks have
registered appalling Of entente neutral
shipping sent to the bottom. The German admiralty
evidently submarines than ever before o a
superior type. and is using them more skilfully
Something has done done quickly. The
fate Of the war and possibly the fate Of civilization
hangs the possibility of meeting the submarine
menace The British navy heretofore so successful in
keeping allied commerce moving, seems unable to
cope with the growing peril.
It's plainly up 10 the United states. The first duty
that US our plunge into the world war, is the
solving of the gravest problem. And have
got solve it. Otherwise may disaster for the
group nations we are affiliated with disaster
ourselves.
occasion for fear. 1t is not an occasion
for losing our heads individually or nationally The
American people have never yet failed in any great
enterprise It's simply matter of going at the bust
in sober earnest, whole and intently,
with the resolution that has previous and
the greater against material obstacles the
subduing and cvlzing of this continent and forcing
ourselves the forefront OF the worlds industry
commerce and finance.
American genius may thwart the U-boat peril.
Edison, king of inventors, been toiling weeks
in secret laboratory with that end in view. There
may any day the announcement of strange
device that will be effective against the U-boats as
the Monitor effective against the Merrimac in a
similar crisis our Civil war that a chance.
We must have something dependable.
There are well known measures of defense. worked
out by the British of whose utility there is no
question. Gunboats destroyers armed power-boats of
small, type, numerous other devices be
multiplied by manufacturers and operated by our
men.
Eventually we shall have our widely heralded pro
cession wooden steamships the Atlantic, pro-
viding targets that the U-boats be
pected hit them all. But will be several months
before the first wooden merchantmen launched That
enterprise expedited with all possible speed,
and everything calculated safety at must
enlist the best brains and energies of the nation
Even the food problem yields precedence this
Overshadowing danger We feed ourselves, some-
how, ships ships but without ships can't send
munitions to Europe without ships
Great Britain and France would be starved out. And
then?
Suppose Germany should conclude a separate peace
with Russia and possession of. help from, the
grain fields OF the Romanofs former empire with
which feed herself? 1t a great game, this war, in
its latest aspects and Americans must play the
game only willing and intensive lighters. but as
spOrtsmen and the determined win because the
is big. The prize is ascertain whether not
the world shall continue its evolution toward Chris
tan civilization. shall give way German "kultur'
that realistically the role of super man
claims the right of dominance perforce of cannon
and blood
Better to cooperate with the allies again not
only gold powder. but in men--in both land and
power.-and end it quick in the lanes that
approach England and France and in conservation of
French and Belgian soil than be later perhaps
fight it alone. maybe here America expense
OF money and blood like a mfion fold greater.
The Russian and the U-boat menaces well
a those Of allies