The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-05
American Fair Play Will Continue to
Rule Even Though War Is De-
clared On Germany.
CONFIDENT IN STRENGTH
AND JUSTICE OF CAUSE
Young Manhood VIII Respond to Call
of CoIors So Generally That There
VIII Be No Need of Campaign of
Vfili1cation Here
BY MAJOR EDWIN w. DAYTON.

by MtJOR EDWIN w. DAHuON.
New York. Feb. AFTER circling
the whirlpool of war for thirty months
the United States has now swerved
perilously close to the vortex. 1t
seems n strange irony of fate that in
ternational efforts toward peace are
generally the forerunners of war. The
Hague conference some years ago
marked the end OF a long period when
most Of the great nations had kept out
OF war. President Wilson's effort
toward a peace parley brought re-
sponses from the allies which con-
WINGED Germany that only the most
desperate OF war policies remained
possible. Nothing connected with the
war remains SO much n matter of de-
bate az the question as to its cause
Most of us are quite at variance on
that and probably several succeeding
generations will continue to argue the
question.
Ten years before 1914. | spent some
time gathering first-hand evidence as
to the international relations which
inclined to bring on a great war.
What / learned was, OF course. only
a little part OF the truth and might
be quite misleading If construed to
be the whole truth, Leaving a con-
sideration Of the remote eau es and
coming down TO the question as 10
what exactly caused the crash at the
last moment. many observers agree
that the mobilization of armies was
responsible.
When you see your enemy doubling
his flst and hardening his muscles, you
feel that Il is too late for more talk
That happened in the midsummer OF
1914 and war developed quickly.
NnhI1tya tf0N the 70 n FnS
all the nations which had armies TO
call and recruit was the word that
rang out in places where big armies
were lacking. The raising OF large
army would be q triumph of idealism
il every male citizen loved his flag SO
much that he really wanted to die
under It.
Induced Bitter Hatred
Modern civilization has weakened
some of that attitude on the part of
the average citizen and in England
particularly it was felt to be necessary
TO stimulate recruiting by inducing a
bitter hatred of the enemy The ex-
plotting OF atrocities did much to re-
cruit Kitchener's FIVE millions Some
Of the stories were true and were
CHASTITY truths that might be told OF
every war Some of the stories were
lies and were proved such nv English
soldiers glad to fight their enemy on
the field. but unwilling to fight him
with needless calumny Some day
peace will return to the world. but
long after the treaties have been sign
cd races vii! hate each other, not be-
cause OF what happened on a hundred
battlehelds, but on account Of the
tales Of atrocities, many Of which
never were committed.
II the United States is IN enter tho
war. every soldier will welcome the
chance to fight under the flag unsui-
lied by malice or greed. II is to be
hoped that our young manhood will
respond 10 the call OF the colors so
generally that there will be no need
TO start a campaign of viilification
here. II Germany is to be a foe with
whom our country is at war. our SOL
dters and our sailors will know how TO
bring that enemy or any other to his
knees.
Meanwhile we are not yet quite at
war and even when the declaration
comes II is to be hoped that Ameri-
can fair play will continue to rule
here In our own land. Those who
have lived among us as friends and
neighbors are yet honest men and
women, although there IS German
blood In their veins, Stern measures
VIII NOT be lacking or slow to deal
with any who seek to betray the trust
We have reposed in them as citizens
or visitors. Being confident In our
strength and the justice OF our cause,
there is no call to breed in our midst
an ugly heritage of needless hate. AS
late corners In the ranks at war, sure
~ We may learn some lessons from
those who were swept more suddenly
into its raging tide.
An Ominous Pause,
An ominous pause marks the op-
erstions OF nearly all the armies. In
France the British hold the ground
recently gained north of the Somme