The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-05
WE ARE GOING THROUGH
WITH IT.

Congress yesterday served HotLCI
that America was going to see II
through to the finish. II the Central
Empires decide to "call" and demand
g. showdown" it will take their last
dollar and their last man to find 1t
wasn't O bluff after all.
President Wilson yesterday an
swered the pacifsm Of Lord Land
sowne.
He answered those in America who
cry for an inconclusive peace.
He answered those who would
compromise with a triumphant II
bankrupt, Germany.
He answered those who relterate
the parrot like demand for state
ment Of war aims.
II was thumbs down" for the Ger
man junkers; but thumbs up" for
the German nation IL it will make
itself over to At itself for a place in
the concert Of nations and the
parliament OF the world.
In words which leave no room for
doubt, misunderstanding. or ques-
tioninE, he declared himself for a war
to the finish against the forces which
seek to dominate the world; but In
no less unequivocal terms he made 1t
plain that IL was not a war for
revenge, for disruption Of the Central
Empires as nations. or for visiting
upon the people of those countries
the horrors they have inflicted on the
rest Of the world.
He made it very clear that restitu-
ton, as far as it is possible, must be
made for the wrongs done, but that
America is seeking justice, not
vengeance.
President Wilson's state papers
have stood out above all others since
America entered the war. They have
crystallized the aims of the Allies;
clarified their purposes. His first
message to Congress asking for
declaration Of war, his Flag Day
speech and several other documents,
have been remarkable state papers
expressing the thoughts and feelings
OF the people better than they them
selves could have voiced them. His
message delivered at the opening of
Congress yesterday, was Of the same
standard, and it came at time when
IL was needed to rally the Entente,
and strengthen the will to win.
During the three and a half years
of war, the Allied Nations have I'M
dergone many periods Of depression
and exlltation. Just now, with the
detection of Russia, and the Italian
disaster, the morale of the people at
home in the Allied countries has been
lower than at any time during the
last year. Pacifsts, ably aided by
the German. propaganda, have re-
newed their talk of an fnconclusive
peace.
President Wilson's message viii do
more than strengthen the will to win,
both in America and abroad. 1t will
continue the work begun by the Flag
Day address, when he sought to
drive a wedge between the German
people and their Emperor, as Ger
many construed il. He has given
that wedge another blow. He has
held out the alternative to the Ger
man people of war to the finish, or
internal readjustment Of their at
fairs, so that the world will have as
surance that future treaties will not
be scraps OF paper. 1t is humiliation
or revolution and restitution.
I'VE shall be free to base peace on
generosity and justice, to the exclus-
ion Of all selfish claims to advantage
even on the part OF victors" is his
promise to the German people, and
the hope Of an early peace that he
holds out to them.
Will they take It? Doubtless not
at once. but the leaven may work, and
offset the claim Of the German gov
eminent that Germany is fighting a
war for self preservation.
The declaration of war against
Austria is proof, If any were needed.
that the President meant what he
said.
II America were awaiting only an
opportunity to back out Of the war
this back door to peace would not be
slammed shut. The President did not
ask for a break with Turkey and
Bulgaria, because he did not consider
such a break necessary or opportune.
but he made it clear that their, case
is no different from that Of Austria.
and that he would make the request
when he considered the time was OPP
perfume.
such is the message TO the Central
Empires. The message to tie people
at home is an urgent request to drop
ali unessentiaIs and concentrate on
the war. Prohteering must go. Ex-
travagance must be avoided. All re-
sources must be brought to the great
task
1T IS the ringing call Of a great lead
er to d great nation to unite for a
great cause. IL should be the death
blow TO ali FIFTY fifty" American
ism. il should mark the birth of
new era Of national unity Of pure
pose; Of real brotherhood among AM
arieana