American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-21
WAR COMING HOME.

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Nothing that has happened has
brought the war 70 much home 10 AS
as the leaving Of the eighteen men for
Camp Lewis Wednesday evening.
Power county had upwards Of nifty
men IN the service prior 10 the deDar-
lure OF this contingent. but they left
under circumstances that attracted
iiitie attention, going 10 Pocatello. Salt
Lake or Boise for physical examlna-
tion, not knowing until after the *
animation whether they would be ac-
cepted. The public. Ia nearly every
instance. learned Of the departure OF
these patriotic young men only after
they had been accepted and sem TO
some military post.
Conditions have not been favorable
for arousing patriotism. Under a
policy which the Press believes 10 be
a mistaken one. practically all know
ledge OF what Is transporting on the
great battle fronts Is withheld from
the public. During the past week. for
example. there has been a doarth OF
news. actions In the war zone being
confined 10 a few words, mentioning
only raids. aerial battles n bonn
bardmenta. told In the most
place manner. without anything 10
thrill. The weekly casualty list on
The British front. showing more than
1000 casualties. OF which 1890 were
Killed. Indicates that there have been
hercc conflicts. II is the lack OF such
ncWs that creates the feeling that the
war Is far removed, and that we have
little interest ia Il.
II will not be many months until
this viii all change. Our boys VIII be
al the front. Some OF them may al
ready be back OF the trenches. pre-
pairing 20 take their places In the great
tragedy. When the casualty lists be-
gin 10 be published here. we will be
more like Canada. whore the people
are ready and willing To pour out
heir treasure and 10 undergo priya-
tions In order that hose who are at
the front nay nave every comfort that
can be- supplied
Not all OF those we are sending
away viii come back Those who do
return viii be men. bigger and truer
men than they ever would have be-
come In the ordinary walks of life.
They Will nave undergone a discipline
that Is sadly lacking In most Ameri-
can homes. Right living. right eXer-
else, right habits viii be forced upon
them. Their courage will he tried and
aelf-Conndcnce developed. The big
men OF the coming two decades will be
found among the soldier boys who viii
zee duty Ia France. just the same az
the bis men La the years following
our civil war we're those who saw ser
vice on the front.
Those who do not come back will
have done their full duty. and merit
the everlasting gratitude of the nation.
They viii have battled for the estab-
iishment OF principles that will lead
90 permanent peace. They Will not
have fought for added territory, nor
for increased commerce. They Will
neht for the preservation OF the rights
and liberties %heQucathcd 60 them by
the patriots OF 1870. and pass them
ON 10 future generations.
ft was a fine lot OF men who left,
but they will return inner They Will
be developed la a school not provided
BY times OF peace. While there will
be much sorrow and anguish. many
trials tina those Who remain at home
must endure. there Will be an awaken
ing OF the manhood and w~omanhood
of the nation that viii compensate for
all that will be endured.