Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-04-17

magazine, he says:
"Presupposing our desire to en-
ter the war, the submarine block
ade could, of course, give us ample
opportunity for inflaming the pub
Tic mind by means of great
newspaper campaign, while adding
In full measure those legal justifi-
cations that the official mind in
Washington seems to regard as
important. On the other hand,
presupposing our desire to keep
out of the European war, there had
always been open to us methods Of
procedure that would have rem
dered it practically impossible for
us to become involved. Those
who have believed in neutrality
have been able, from the begin
ming Of the war, to point out
courses of action that could have
given us great strength in the
world, that should have gone far to
insure the rights of all other neu-
trails, and that might have helped
to end the war;"
Many equally patriotic men could be
cited, and similar sentiments quoted
But the time for argument is past
and 1t remains only for me to say that
my sympathy with the German people,
and this belief that our own interests
could be best subserved by strict neu-
trality, never at any time divided my
loyalty to my native country or my
faith in it's institutions.
EXPRESSES VIEWS IN LETTER.
Let me here quote from a letter !
wrote some days ago to a brother of
mine in the state of Wisconsin:
Il was opposed to the United
States going into this war; l did
not think that 1t was necessary; l q.
wanted Europe to fight out it's
own battles and to settle its own
hatreds. But l was in no place of
authority or responsibility. Even
as private citizen ! found my
self among the minority. So, since
my voice was drowned in the fierce
cry for war, I say let it be war
to the hilt. Let the whole nation
stand together as one man, and
make such preparation as will in
sure swift and absolute attain
ment of the object we avowed i'm
PEELED us to go into the war, name
ly, the protection of our citizens
and the honor of our country and
respect of our flag. / would strike
such powerful blows that not only
Germany, but England and all the
world, including Mexico, should see
that this country will not tolerate
interference with its rights. And
when that had been done, and the
transgressor had been punished
and brought to acknowledge our
rights and to respect them, would
withdraw from the European
struggle. To remain longer. in
my mind, means alliances with
some of those countries, and that
is a thing to be avoided at all
cost, and by all means. The Sc
curity of this country lies in keep
ing out of European political af-
fairs and keeping them out of
America. Washington's advice is
as good today as it was when he
uttered it. It's very fine sentiment
to say that we will fight the bat
ties of the democracy of he
world, but practically it is very
unwise. In seeking to secure po-
litical liberty for others, we may
lose our own; or at least, in seek
ing to destroy militarism in the
European countries, there is dan
ger that we will be burdened with
the same curse here. Let the old
world countries work out their
own salvation. That a people can
alter its form Of government when
once they really want a change,
and do so comparatively easily Is
illustrated by the recent COM
plete overthrow in Russia. From
an absolute autocracy to a full
Pledged republic was the work of
few days. But for the sake of
our own institutions let US keep
out Of European entangling alli-
ances."
KNOWS BUT ONE FLAG.
If any one can see disloyalty in that
sentiment, or in those views, then l
can only say that his ideas of loyalty
differ from mine. To deny me the
right to express what / believe to be
the best course for our common coun-
try, is to deny to me. the right Of free
speech, and the right to exercise my
Judgment as a free citizen. But 1 re-
fuse to be classed as disloyal because
have positive views on a SUI ject so
vital to our common veal. l may be
wrong, I profess no superior wisdom,
but long, patient and careful study
ellis me am right on, not d;ot,