Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-26


The United States entered this wa
from the very highest motives; thos,
justice and democracy against ruthless
of preserving international freedom
autoeracy. At the same time we hav,
given the world n magnificent demon
stration OF our position as a world
power Our decision to join the alliei
an the fight for political freedom-noi
for terr tory, trade OF indemnity-and
our prompt efforts to send men, money
and materials to their assistance is q
step leading to tremendous eOnsequene
es. Its probable influence upon our fu
ture can only be equalled BY the Am
ericau revolution and the Civil war
and in many respects il will surpass
both. Beyond question this great de
cisiOn has raised us immensely in the
respect of all nations and our prestige
and power have been CORRESPONDENCE
elevated. Heneeforth we will occupy a
position Of prominent leadership in the
family of nations, so that our future
for veal or for woe will largely depend
upon the spirit in which we cultivate
and maintain those new relations IL
they are exercised with ideas Of jus
tice, tolerance and fair dealing our
peaceful advancement is secure. If. on
the other hand, we indulge narrow
minded, ultra-selfish ambitions or fall
into intolerant and bombastic policies,
therefore, assiduously keep in mind
that the future of democracy depends,
not upon the state, but upon the indi-
vidual who must first himself exem-
plify the spirit and the policies that he
wishes his country to adopt.
There is much complaint in all d.
rections about high prices, and indica-
tions already point to lessened CON
sumption. Food is exceedingly high,
and unless relief is found some sort of
government food control may be ex.
pected as war measure. The labor
situation also promises to become more
acute. Scarcity is already pronounced,
and will be more so when half to
one million men are drawn into the ar
my. Not less than three men are requr-
ed at home to support those in the
field, so that the labor situation calls
for prompt and intelligent considera-
tion. There are some industries from
which no men should be withdrawn
into the army; their services being
much more valuable to the country in
their present occupations. President
Wilson wisely called attention of the
nation to the cultivation of economy
by the public. Extravaganza should be
discouraged in all quarters, and unnec-
essary labor should be released for
more necessary purposes. Not only
should economy be enforced, but pro
ductiOn should be increased by every
possible. means. Some classes of labor
may be asked to do their share by mod
Grating or suspending during the war
restrictions which have tended to in
crease the cost of commodities, espe
ciaiiy In industries where war profits
and war wages have aggravated in
tendencies Some means will
have to be found for overcoming scare
ity. There is positively no other way
than by enlarging individual output
and patriotism and self interest should
prompt such exertions, without which
still higher prices will have to be en-
dured. We are in the whirl of war in
flation and nothing can check it but
wise economy and harder work. Slack
ers, wasters and prodigals in these
times help the enemy and injure their
country as well as themselves.
I believe that the official announce
ment of the German government that
no U.boat is in our waters is correct, |
~ ! do not think that Germany is like
ly to send submarines over here ut pres
ont at least; nor to inspire or order
German reserves in South America to
organize and attack any portion of
our country. Our government is truly
a people Is governments; of the people,
by the people, for the people; where
the humhlest born citizen is eligible to
become president and whore such have
lu,,->u b-lolau presluent. Germany has
an autocratic government and today is
fighting to preserve autocraey, while |
we are fighting for democracy, There |
fore, ii time the German people will |
realize these facts which are likely to
stir up revolutionary feeling among
the masses. We all have high opinion
Of the Germans. Their artists, their /
their musicians, their scien
tiBts, their inventors and their meehan
les, are of the best, and those who
have settled here have, as class, been
model citizens. Our fight is not with
hose who are daily dying for the rul-
ing powers, but with the ruling powers
Who order and cause them to die
The mobilization of our finance and
upon war basis is for the
.imc being the controlling factor in
business circles. Such an adjustment
naturally causes more or less initiation
Ind arrangement. Congress is about to
)ass the necessary legislation authori2
ng the issue of $4,000, 100000 treas
lry notes, $4,000 100000 bonds for our
,wn use and $4,000, 100000 for use by
,ur allies. Since these vast sums can.
iot be spent all at once, ii is reasonable
D suppose that they viii be withdrawn
With as little disturbance in the finan
'ial markets as possible. Our own ex-
)enditures will begin gradually, and
% extended over many months before
additional loans can possibly be need (,
II The loan to our allies is similar
,roeess and is likely to follow similar
ines; that is, the bonds will probably
70 issued at stated periods, when most
'eeded thus avoiding the injurious ef