Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-05
TN1EsH1HURsDAY
SITUATION NOW CONFRONTING THIS NATION AS TO WAR.

ITUAT1oN NOW CONFRONTING THIS NATION AS TO WAR
So ~ complex considerations enter into the situation
involving conflict with Germany that it is difficult to retain
clear perspective We need first of all to ask ourselves
Whittier are we bound and "Why?" Having satisfied our
selves these points then the better prepared to
slider wisely and effectively that other question: "How is the
best way to get there?"
We bound the road to Against whom?
Every boy brought the farm has time and again used
long stick prod ugly dumb brute or shorter in
struent to the festive mother hen from the nest
In each instance the dumb animal the rufednecked hen
would direct it's attention to the stick other instrument in
stead off the boy behind it.
Uncle Sam is being stabbed by somebody with long
stick with poisoned barb at the end The business
osion us is to find out who at the other end of that
It is the hated Kaiser-hated by host of Germans
rule by divine right practically despo holding
Of life and death over his subjects and hundreds OF
his hated tyranny and enjoy that glorious liberty which every
one of us is now ready to fight to maintain. ..
to-day ready do just what Russians have done to the
Car because of the cue they have endured and the suf
them If the Germans refuse to fight they are shot down
by their comrades under compuson Iron rule prevails
everywhere.
In considering war with Germanys government we should
bear in mind that the Kaiser at he other end of the
stick The object Of this nation is not to strike at stick
blndy like Infatuated animal but to "get the Kaiser
that line is e
points That is geOmetrica proposition Which the SOL
have to apply every day in practical operations.
The shortest distance between the United States and
tested Kaiser the chief the Whole
world to-day of autocra opposed to democratic rule
How most effectively make upon the KAISER
the vicar of autocracy and barbarc war?
break down the stronghold his autocra power To do
this we may well profit by the example of Russia:
The Car fell not by force of arms but by force of principles
The could not resist the tremendous impact of demo-
cratic ideas.
While improvisng naval means to meet the ruth
less submarine warfare against our commerce and raising
lively the Kaiser by helping release the foes of autoc
racy at his very DOORS The Kaiser thought to turn neigh
fire We can help start conagraon right in the heart of
Germany that will utterly consume despotism
The idea of government by the people has already begun
talking right out in meeting We should seek to encourage
the overthrow of Kasersm We should encourage the
Germans themselves to work toward this end.
We should show Germany that peace is utterly impossi
BILE long the Kaiser continues to rule We should
vince the Germans that we are not fighting them as people
but the detesabe system of autcay the Kaiser represents
Americans Of German birth who deested Kaisersm help
in this work When the Germans have followed the example
President Wilson has made splendid beginning looking
twin prizes freedom and democracy He emphasizes the
point that with the German system and not with
ships ordered ships off from the international high
ways of the drowned our women and children
No pacist claim President Wilson has been precpi
tate He has been patient almost to the point of blame He
have thought earlier preparedness would nexcus
have narrowly avoided inviting the dsdan of great nations
by spne submission great wrongs like the Lustana hoo
The President has asked Congress and the nation
to act The nation is not only behind the President but
also close up to him.
The American people insisting that ample pro-
vision be made for national defense We have been busy
in making out of the war by others that have been
careless of rights We how utterly defense
less would have been in face of attack by Germany alone
three years ago. for example Moreover that Kaisersm
which assaed must perish from the EARTH It must
be permitted to come to life again like scotched snake to
strike unawares.
This is no time for hysteria, however We should go
about this task methodca and nteigeny Even the prize
fighter must his head and the with the best head in
his class usually wins Ideas destined to win this
and to establish peace enduring basis.
President Wilson has set an excellent example for all
Americans by clear thought and deliberate action He really
sums up the whole situation when he says
'The wrongs against which we array ourselves
wrongs they cut to the of human life
With profound of the solemn and tragca char
acter of the step taking and of the responsibilities
which involves but in unhestatng obedience to what
deem my constitutional duty advise that the Congress de-
clare the recent of the imperial German
be in fact nothing less than against the government
and people of the United States that it formally the
Of hei hast