The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1917-08-03
SECRETARY LANSING
ADDRESSES OFFICERS

i,fOU members OF tne OMcerS reserve
corps, Secretary of State Robert
Lansing emphasized the peril of Ger
man imperialism to the United States
and the world, declared his belief
that the German people would not
cast off the yoke of ~auotcracy until
the physical might of the united de-
mocracies of the world had destroyed
forever the evil ambitions of the mil
itary rulers of Germany" That, he
added, is the only way to restore
the peace of the world.
. Were every people on earth able
to express their will, there would be
no wars of aggression" he said, land
II there were no wars Of aggression,
there would be no wars, and lasting
peace would come to this earth. The
only way that a people can express
their will is through democratic in
stitutions. Therefore when the world
is made safe for democracy, when
that great principle prevails, univer-
sal peace will be an accomplished
fact" y
Asserting that "the future of the
United States is at stake" Secretary
Lansing said, "if any of you have
the idea that W. are fighting others
battles and not our own, the sooner
he gets away from that idea the bet
ter it will be for him, the better it
will be for all of us.
Imagine Germany victor in Eu-
rope because the United States re-
manned neutral. Who then, think
you, would be the next victim of those
who are seeking to be masters of
the whole earth. Would not this
country, with its enormous wealth,
arouse the cupidity Of an impoverish-
ed though triumphant Germany?
Would not this democracy be the only
obstacle between the autocratic rulers
of Germany and their supreme am
bition? Do you think that they would
withhold their hand from such a
prize?
"Let me then ask you, would il
be easier or wiser for this country
single-handed to resist a German
empire, flushed with victory anG
with great armies and navies at it:
command, than to unite with thu
brave enemies of that empire in end.
ing now and for all time the menace
to our future?
primarily, then, every man wht
crosses the ocean to fight on foreign
soil against the armies of the Ger.
man emperor goes forth to fight fol
his country and for the preservation
of those things for which our fore
fathers were willing to die. To those
who thus offer themselves we ow,
the same debt that we owe to those
men who in the past fought on Amer
lean soil in the cause of liberty. No
not the same debt, but a greater one
1t calls for more patriotism. NOR,
self-denial and a truer vision to wag,
war on distant shores than to repe
an invader or defend ones home
Answering those who, he said
might think it improbable that Ger
many would attack the United State.
if she won the war, Mr.. Lansin,
cited many things which Germany
has been guilty of which were though
improbable. yes. impossible" before
the war-violation of treaties, the
crimes of murder, extortion, vandal.
ism in Belgium and France, submar
inc brutality and bomb dropping or
cities. "Yet. God help US, these
things have come to pass" he ex.
claimed, and iron crosses have beer
awarded to the perpetrators.
But there is more, far more" he
continued, (which might be added t,
this record of unbelievable thing.
which the German government has
done. | only need to mention the
attempt of the foreign office at Der.
lin to bride Mexico to make war upor
US by promising her American ter.
ritory. 1t was only one of many
intrigues which the German govern.
ment was carrying on in many lands
Spies and conspirators were Sent
throughout the world. Civil discorc
was encouraged to weaken the DO
%tential strength of nations which
might be obstacles to the lust of Ger.
many's rulers for world mastery
Those of German blood, who owec
allegiance to other countries, were
appealed to to support the fatherland
which beloved name masked the mil.
itary clique at Berlin.
"Some day l hope that the whole
tale may be told. 1t will be an as.