Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-12-27
PREPARE FOR
THREE YEARS WAR
MUST FIGHT UNTIL GER
MAN PEOPLE NAME A
NEW GOVERNMENT
BURDEN ON UNITED STATES
Administration in Frank Re-
view of Situation, Urges a
Clearer Realization Of
Its Responsibilities

Washington, D. c. Dec. 20-At the
end Of a week Of what appeared on
the surface to be uncertainty, at least
in the legislative branch Of the Gov
ernment, there is no uncertainty in
the administrative function. In the
opinion of the authority referred to,
the condition of the world at this
moment warrants the statement that
this Government expects the war to
continue three years at least. Furth-
ermore, the Administration is prepar-
ing for a war of that duration.
This fact and others that will be
given were brought out in response to
a request for a candid statement Of
an official view Of the future, for the
benefit of people in this and other
countries who desire to know the
truth.
One is impressed, in all discussions
on the war with responsible officials
of this Government, with the mental
attitude of calm certainty Of the
issue that underlies all that may be
said. So that it is impressed upon one
that if the war lasts three, six or nine
years, victory is at the end Of the
time given. 1t is true today, as it was
on April 2, last, when the President
pledged all the resources Of the
United States in men and wealth to
the cause of making the world free
of autocracy, that the war will con-
tinue until, this end is attained.
The purpose is to continue the
war until the German people name
a government in whose responsible
ity this and the other allied ma
tions can have confidence. 1t will
continue on this line even if the
United States has to fight Germany
single handed "either here or over
there" If after that the German peo-
pie shall still refuse to name gov
ernment in which civilized nations
can have confidence, the war will con-
tinue.
Although in Administration circles
there is no criticism Of the whole
hearted response of the country to
the Governments manifold measures
for marshaling the resources of the
nation, and only praise is given fol
what has been done, still it is felt that
the rank and file of the people do moi
fully realize the gravity Of the stu
alton nor the measure of sacrifice
they are to be called upon to endure
The Government feels that if the cit
izen understands what may befall his
home and his family, if by any chance
the war should be lost, he will moi
count any demand made upon him as
a sacrifice.
"Truly the supreme moment OF MS
tory referred to by the President is
here" said this bureaus informant
"Last summer, when the Russian
Army, was making headway on thu
eastern front, when we knew tha
the people of Germany were looking
with dread upon a fourth winter o
war, it appeared that there might b.
an end to hostilities this winter, bu
now this aspect is changed. German!
is long way from being beaten, ant
we cannot see anything ahead Of u
except q hard struggle. The failur
of Russia has placed an additiona
burden upon the United States, an
the Allies are looking to US as no sc
of nations ever looked to a natioi
before. The people of Germany hav
been given renewed courage by tn
successes on the Italian front, and b.
the success of the propaganda in Rus
sia, whereby hostilities have cease
and a way is opened for the possibl
gaining of food for Germany.
Never before has the truth tina
this is a fight between the forces O
good and the forces Of evil been 8
obvious as at this moment. Gel
many knows she must 90 to the las
ditch, and she knows that when sh
does and tries to climb out and up tn
other side she viii find US there. W
have no direct information as to ho'
long Austria, Bulgaria or Turkey ma
hold out, but certain it is, that sOOne
or later the allies Of Germany wi
faIl away from sheer exhaustion
That Turkey has been able to hOl
cut 20 long 3 q marvel e. Il Il. BI