The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1917-04-06

which have more than once come peri
lousy near to disturbing the peace and
dislocating the industries Of the coun-
try have been carried on at the insti-
cation. with the support, and even un-
der the personal direction OF official
agents OF the imperial government OF
Germany
Even in checking these things and
trying to extirpate them we have
sought TO put the most generous inter
pretations possible upon them because
we knew that their source lay, not in
any hostile feeling or purpose Of the
German people towards US lwho were
no doubt as ignorant OF them as we
ourselves were) but only in the selfish
designs OF a government that did what
it pleased and told its people nothing.
But they have planned their part in
serving to convince US at last that that
government contains no real friendship
for US and means to act against our
peace and security at its convenience.
That it means to stir up enemies
against US at our very doors, the inter-
cepted note to the German minister at
Mexico City is eloquent evidence.
Can Never he Friendly
"We are accepting this challenge OF
hostile purpose because we know that
in such government, following such
methods, we can never have friend;
and that the presence of its organized
power, always lying wait to accomplish
we know not what purpose, there can
be no assured security for the demo-
cratic governments OF the world.
I'VE are now about to accept the
gauge OF battle with this natural foe to
liberty and shall, if necessary, spend
the whole force OF the nation to check
and nullify its pretentions and its
power. We are glad, now, that we see
facts with no veil or false pretense
about them, to fight thus for the ulti-
mate peace OF the world and for the
Liberation of its peoples, the German
peoples included; for the rights OF ma
tons great and small and the privilege
OF men everywhere to choose their way
OF life and of obedience. The world
must be made safe for democracy.
Its peace must be planted upon the
trusted foundations of political liberty.
Have No Selfish Ends
I'VE have no selfish ends to serve.
We desire no conquest, no dominion.
We seek no indemnities for ourselves,
no material compensation for the sacri-
fees we shall freely make. We are
but one of the champions of the rights
Of mankind. We shall be satisfied
when those rights have been as secure
as the faith and the freedom Of the ma
tons can make them.
Just because we fight without ran
cour and without selfish objects, seek
ing nothing for ourselves but what We
shall wish to share as free peoples, we
shall, feel confident, conduct our OPP
erations as belligerents without passion
and ourselves observe with proud pune
tilio the principles Of right and OF fair
play we profess to be fighting for.
AbsoIves Germany's Allies
Il have said nothing Of the govern
ments allied with the imperial govern
ment OF Germany because they have
not made war upon US or challenged
US to defend our right and honor.
The Austro- Hungarian government has,
indeed, avowed its unqualified endorse
ment and acceptance OF the reckless
and lawless submarine warfare adopted
now without disguise by the imperial
German government, and it has there
fore not been possible for this govern
ment to receive Count Tarnowski, the
ambassador recently accredited to this
government by the imperial and royal
government OF Austria-Hungary; but
that government has not actually en-
gagged in warfare against citizens OF the
United States on the seas, and I take
the liberty. for the present, at least, OF
postponing a decision of our relations