Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-31

~, GRANDEUR
Iof supreme interest throughout the world. Around
revolve the fortunes Of great peoples. Upon its results
depends the fate of ruling dynssties. Involved in it ar,
our commerce and our industry. the security of GU,
homes. the food for our infants and the comfort of tn,
aged; and intimately related to it are the philosophers Z
our schools and the very faith in which we turn oul
thoughts to God. War" is the supreme fact before us.
The year has witnessed the entrance of the Unite.
States. the last of the great nations. into the war; the dis
appearance Of the Russian despotism and the reduction
of the Russian empire to a state Of chaos; the relief Of
the central empires by the detection of Russia, and tine
consequent strengthening Of their forces on the ives
front; the transformation of the Italian offensive into 8
hard-fcught defensive; the occupation Of Palestine b,
the Christian nations and the apparently final shatterine
Of the German dream of a great eastern empire; and the
forcing back of the German lines in France, little BY
little. while the Allies fight grimly on. awaiting the day
when the power of the United States shall be added tc
their own in what must be made the ultimate offensive
of the war.
The year has brought its discussion of peace. Pope
and prince alike have sought to find a basis on which the
nations could act. but in the face Of the German deterni.
nation to make this war at all hazards yield to her in
some form dividends Of added power and increased pres
tige, nothing has been uttered which seems to bring the
world nearer peace. The one great fact that stands out
clearly as this year closes is that the war must go on.
regardless of bloodshed and suffering. until the evil spirit
of nilitarisn, has been destroyed. The question is not
one of boundaries or indemnities, but of breaking into
minute fragments the sword which has shed the blood of
millions, and which. undestroyed. will remain a constant
menace to the world.
The United States has entered with full vigor into
the war. Funds in hitherto incredible amounts have been
provided for the purposes of war, and the spirit of the
people is such that the finding of money is merely a mat
ter of need. AS fast as the need is recognized the money
will be forthcoming. And, lavish as we are willing to be
with our money. We are prepared to be equally lavish
with our men. and with all the provisions which are
necessary for their effective equipment. For the first
time in its history there has been adopted by this nation
a general CONSUMPTION law which is based. right at the
beginning of our participation in the war. on recognition
of the common obligation which our people owe to their
country. While the government has exercised its right
to command the personal services Of it's citizens. it has
also asserted it's right to direct the disposition of their
property in order that the pressing needs of the nation
may be met. The use of food and fuel has been regu-
lated. railroads and factories have been Communicated,
men of skill and experience have been asked to leave their
private affairs and serve the government without pay,
women everywhere have aided in the organization of So
cieties for aid in the military work--thc call to service
has come to all of US. and the response has been such rs
was never before known.
Our people have much on which to pride themselves
in the splendid work that has been done in preparation
for our part in the war. We have also cause for humil-
ity. We have done we'll, but we have not done perfectly.
We have achieved greatly. but our achievement has fallen
short Of much that was thoughtlessly promised. We
have soldiers in France, many thousands of them, out
we have no army there. We have provided vast guam
titles of material. but our accomplishment has not kept
pace with our hopes. That there would be mistakes and
delays was inevitable, but the number and the character
of those that have been made, and the causes for some
of them, are such that we are given cause for serious
thought and for a greater generosity than perhaps has
shortcomings of others.
The old year passes. What of the new, upon whose
threshold we stand? There will he dark days, days of
sorrow and of doubt. There is before us the hope that
the year will witness the close of the war and the estab
lishnent of the peace for which the free peoples Of the
earth fight, and for which they must continue to fight
until the end. But even if this comes to pass it cannot
be without much sacrifice, without the infliction of
wounds whose scars will remain as indelible marks OF
the great struggle. Predictions as to times and seasons
are idle. But if the war is to be brought to it's just and
only rightful close in the shortest possible time, if inno-
cent millions are to be spared unnecessary suffering. we
is before us. We cannot shrink or shirk. We must be
~ and ungrudgingly, that the cause of righteousness may
triumph throughout the world.
A YEAR OF SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS