Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-30
continental ones. and money and COM
fort wero in evidence.
TRULY a GREAT COUNTRY,
hut 1T MUST BE PROTECTED


In America tho farmer is far re-
moved from the SORT OF Europe. we
have cut loose from feudalism and tho
rule of barons. Not for a minute
would wo stand for n system that com
PEELED US to rent our whcat fields from
n group of aristocrats and sycophants
OF royalty.
No; but we need to guard against
all possibility OF revcrsion to such con-
ditions. Two or three years ago We
would have laughed at tho mere sus-
restion. but to-day We do not laugh.
Wc fight instead. to keep tho freedom
wo. bought SO dearly. You need to
see our country as I saw II so re-
Gently to feel the priceless value Of
the things we arc fighting for.
On toward the west lay the tre-
mcndous expansc OF Montana. with It's
copper hills and It's cattle lands pass
ing in panorama hour aftcr hour un-
til darkness hid them, and far and
near l saw the herds scattered over
these lonely regions. Even In the
night, as my train passed some Of those
isolated sidings. the disturbed lowing,
OF cattle told the story of the ccascless
movement of live stock trains to the
great food centers OF ST. Paul and
Chicago. What an amazing country
this land Of America is, with It's seem
insly inezhaustibic resources. We
can feed the world, indeed But those
treasures VIC mean to keep--wc intend
to administer them ourselves and not
permit them 10 be seized by any enemy
on eaFth. This nation has been ours
SO long that we are I'm danger Of
thinking Il will remain ours by mere
rlsht or possession, with all its recur-
ring riches. We forget that the en-
Vious eyes of others have long bee,
upon us. and that with our prescn,
enemy might is right and the end
'uSIihcs any act OF plumber and murder.
1ou may think that this is fur
fetched. but surely we cannot fan 70
see that victory for Germany would
mean the seizure OF our land products
II not the land itself.
FARTHER along toward the Pacific lay
Idaho. and here began to sec saw
mills and great areas OF piled lumber.
and We met and passed train after
train laden heavily with the products
OF the forests. There were many train
loads OF massive sawed ;imbers.-per.
haps nr for our new merchant feet
and other dozens OF trainloada of mis-
cclianeous lumber and still others Of
shinslc There seemed to be no end
to them.
But waa juet getting into tie
frinEes 20 far IA lumber was con-
ccrned. Passing through the gateway
to the State OF Washinston-the pre-
tentious city OK Spokanc--we came at
length TO tho mighty forests OF the
Pacific Slope. Even If nothing else
we're worth fighting for, these i'm
rncnec areas OF noble trees certainly
arc. Up here along the Pacific, in
Washington and Oregon and in the
regions adjacent. stands probably two
thirds OF the good timber OF the United
States. From here will come much Of
the sturdy stock necessary for the
frames Of our great aircraft Meet, and
from here originates such enormous
quantities OF lumber for ell purposes
that VIC are dazed in contemplating IL.
We wouldn't like Germany to say
TO US: Washington and Oregon here
after must be Il German possession.
This timber IS just what VIC need"
Stranger things than this haye corn.