Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-07-25
But it is extremely doubtful wheth-

But it is extremely doubtful wheth-
err the allies would have succeeded in
crushing Germany without our assist
ance, especially since Russia's demon
alization by her revolution. Suppos4
they had not. Suppose that we had
stood aloof and unprepared, and Ger
many should win. We have already
incurred her hostility by furnishing
war material to the allies. With no
further opposition to be feared in
Europe. with the seas open to her
navy. with several millions Of season
ed troops equipped for further battle,
and with rich, fat and defenseless
nation on this side of the water to
tempt her cupidity, what would there
| be to prevent her from gratifying her
indemnity, financial and territorial,
| that would pay her several times over
for all her past sacrifces-just as
Won Goetzen told Admiral Dewey they
intended to do? This would have
meant for us ignoble surrender. or a
bitter war with very uncertain out
come.
Some people contend that if we had
placed an embargo upon all shipments
to the allies, we would have secured
the friendship of Germany and kept
out of the war. No doubt, for by so
doing We would have helped her to IN
early victory. And then what? Being
in a position to dictate the terms Of
peace, what would there be to prevent
her from giving the death-blow to the
Monroe Doctrine-which has ne rer
been popular in the imperialistic cir
cles-by demanding among other
things say the cession of Canada?
With that in her possession, the ear
| ly dominance of her influence in Mex
leo and Central and South America
would be assured. To hold our own
in the face of this constant menace,
we would be compelled, either to
drive her off this continent by means
of a great war, or to build up mill
tary system greater than hers. But
to do the latter would be tantamount
to a virtual surrender of our democ-
racy.
Thus, viewing the question from
any angle we choose, it is clear that
our entrance into this war, sooner or
later was inevitable. We are not in
it by preference, except in so far as
the choice has been dictated by the
logic of the situation. We remained
out of it as long as we could, consist
ent with honor and safety. 1t is, in
deed, a question whether we have not
remained out of it too long. England
has reached the zenith of her military
efficiency; Italy is battling with
might and main; Frances reserves
of man-power are exhausted; Russia
is not to be counted on. In spite OF
all predictions to the contrary, Ger
many is far from being exhausted. and
she holds the advantage Of the inner
lines. 1t will take us from two to
three years to develOpe our full fight
ing strength 1t is serious question
now as to how big price we may
have to pay for our dilatoriness and
lack of vision.
Be that as it may, it is. high time
that We should appreciate the serious
ness OF the task we have undertaken,
instead of specializing as to how it
might have been avoided. We are in
this war, because the fight against an
autocracy that would lay the iron hand
of it's power upon every nation is our
fight; because the stern voice of our
national destiny has decraed that for
us, too, the way to future peace must
lie across the blood-stained battlefields
of Europe; because the world must
be made safe for democracy" and no
ambitious autocrat must ever again be
in position to kindle wOrld-confla-
grafton to realize his evil dream of
world -dominion; because the onlv
kind of world-empire the future will
tolerate will be one in which
THE war-drum throbs no longer,
and the battle-flags are furled
In the Parliament of man, the Fed
Grafton of the world"
Irreverent Mink.