Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-06
the height Of ridiculous fancy. TIL

the height Of ridiculous fancy. The
Austro- German armies have swept
through northern Italy at such a pace
and at such cost to their foemen that
the net results of their drive already
make the progress of the allies since
the battle Of the Marne seem puny In
comparison. On the outcome of the
battle at Tagliamento river depends
in a large measure the safety of
France. With Italy reduceds to the
same pitiful condition in which Russia
finds herself, the kaiser could send his
hordes Of Germans, Austrians, Bulgars
and Turks around Switzerland and
into France to attack the British. the
French and our own army from the
rear. Caught between such a force
and the famous Hindenburg line, with
fac submarines plying the seas to pre-
ent reinforcement, Petain, Haig and
l'ershing would be compelled to fight
desperately to fend off disaster so
great that imagination falters over an
attempt at its description.
Victory over Italy may mean victory
over Europe. It can mean no less than
most serious injury in a vital spot.
Even the progress made already by
the great army Of Mackensen means
that the prospect for American victory
is removed by year or more.
It ia time to cast off the belief that
America is unbeatable. 1t is time to
realize that at this moment Germany's
long visioned war lords are planning
an invasion Of our country as the
SEQUEL to the occupation of France
and the conquest of Europe.
Only a realization of the menace
with which we are confronted can
rouse the American public to the neces-
sity for instant and constant co-opera-
ton to the end that every ounce OF
energy possible for even the most
humble of us to exert may be thrown
into the scale now.
Individual and class prejudice and
selfishness must be buried under
wave of patriotic devotion and willing.
ness to sacrifice. Conservation of food
and every resource is national neces-
sity: production must be speeded up;
development Of the nations every
natural resource must be given atten-
ton: idleness must cease; strikes must
cease; dissension and obstruction must
cease, for our national security is
trembling.
We can feel safe only when Germany
Is defeated, when her armies are
driven back within her borders and
her kaiser is compelled to confess his
plans for ruling the world are impos
sible Of execution.
We depended on Russia. and Russia
has failed utterly. kerensky, her
Savior" has thrown up his hands and
admitted absolute powerlessnesS
We depended on Italy, and Italy
is writing under one OF the greatest
blows ever dealt in the history OF the
worlds wars. We are depending on
England and France, but we have no
assurance that the splendid spirit
which has upheld them for three years
will continue to support them in the
face Of the savage onslaught Germany
is aiming at them now.
We must depend on ourselves. we
must realize that Europe Is depending
on US. We must realize that our en-
trance into the war was hailed as the
beginning Of the end because the
ravaxed nations Of Europe knew our
potential strength and expected 1t to
be thrown into the struggle without
the slightest reservation We must
realize that while there Is reservation
or weakness our efficiency is impaired
to Just that extent. We must realize
that the small army which is in Europe
now with Pershing can be wiped out
overnight unless we send reinforce
ments and supplies in never-failing
stream. We must realize that every
days delay and every act Of obstruc-
ton means more peril for them and
more peril for us. We must awaken
to our danger.