Weekly journal-miner., 1917-08-15
POINTS OUT DUTY OF J. 8 IN
 REGARD ID EUROPEAN WAR;

portion ot this aggregation of wealth Is naturally available for war pur- poses and for war efficiency. By the same cause, the nations war strength in men has been conserved, and this has been increased according to the natural increase of population. But the great factor towards the nations war efficiency is the war preparation that it has made and is making. Ger many on the other hand, by the three years war it has waged, has lessened its war efficiency by the two millions or more of its best fighting men that have been killed and disabled, and by the billions of dollars of its wal sinews that have been dissipated. By the daily decrease of strength on the one hand, and by the daily increase of strength on the other hand, the advantage in efficiency in favor of the United States Is rapidly increasing, and must continue to increase. Be- sides this advantage, the United States has the assistance of its Allies who have themselves for three years stood firmly against Germany and her allies and against her 40 years prep aration. They are now more than holding their own, and will no doubt continue to do so, leaving the task for the United States to hasten the conclusion of the war and the down. fall of militarism. This task will be accomplished in less time and with less American sacrifice of every kind than the American people generally believe it will be. This is not the opinion of military expert, but it is common sense, which is evidently as reliable in this war as in the other. If the United States cannot do this un- der present conditions, what could it do or what could it have done in single-handed contest with Germany at the full zenith of her military and economic power? And this question IS the answer to the other question repeatedly asked, "Why is the United States in this war at this time?"
 It is the duty of the world, of the nation and of the community to stamp out the plague or the scourge that threatens its existence or its safety. German militarism by the awful destruction of life and sub stance, and by the great human suf fering it has caused has proved itself to be easily the worst scourge that has ever come upon the earth. The German people have suffered as much from this scourge as have those for whom 1t was prepared and against whom it has been directed. It is the positive duty of the United States tc crush German militarism and to crush it on foreign soil, and to crush 1t while it is already onc-half crushed and while a good portion of the civilized world is still assisting in the crushing. This is nothing more or less than a wise business policy. If a thing must be done, 1t is business wisdom to do it when the time is most opportune, and when conditions are most favor able for doing it. Not 70 fight this war or to lose it when 1t is fought would ultimately cause this nation very much more in blood and in treas' ure than T. w:ll now cost to win 1t and rcvcr prevent its recurrence. Therefore, the importance of fighting it now and of fighting it from the start with all the force, energy and skill the nation can muster.
 l have dealt here with only the bus mess and practical side of this ques- tion. The sentimental, moral and benevolent side of it alone justihes American participation in this war, but this side has been presented in its various phases by many of the worlds ablest statesmen, orators and writers, and no feeble effort of mine will i'm. prove this presentation, and none will be attempted; but as I see it, and l believe l see it clearly, this is before all other things war for self-defense and for sclf-protection for the United States and for every individual in the nation, and for it justification is full. complete and unassailable no matter what the internal enemies, the croak CTS, or the faddists of the nation may say to the contrary.
 D. | SULLIVAN.