The Mena weekly star., 1917-11-01
GROWING MENACE or WAR.

 Human Rights. the battle for World Freedom, of Democracy against Au- tocracy. is becoming much more serious. In days past we have been all too glad 10 grasp the helpful prophecy the theory and belief of the optimist, that the world war would be al an end in a few months
 thai most of "our boys would never see the battle line
 But it is not to he.
 The great Bear nussia-has al- most. if not quite, surrendered to the easy path of the present. Lashed and driven whenever the kaiser's forces, military and naval, have pleased to pay serious heed. She has laid down to lick her hurts and lawn on her enemy, and the prods and appeals of the few who see fu- ture grief in the course bring forth only snarls, the futility of which are obvious to friend and foe.
 The fact that Russia fights no more; that lhe eastern armies of Germany are freed to add their strength 10 those contesting with France and England, is bad enough, but not the worst It opens to Ger many in great measure those untold resources of Slavdom, which, under tho heartless and dehumanized ef- flciency of the Teuton will supply her armies and her people 10 con- tinue the war for years to come.
 Turning to the south you will see Mackensen's army driving the ltal- ians before him like leaves before a gale. one hundred thousands of ltalys choicest soldiers captured; hundreds If guns taken the work of the whole summers wonderful campaigning in tfe Alps undone in a breath It seems that the German war machine, so efficient and so re- lentless, has tho power to sweep be- fore it all who have entered he war except only France. which knew it best and was prepared 10 meet il, and. later, England's highly trained and wonderfully equipped forces. They have slashed thru Belgium, Serbia, Rumania and Russia at will, They are repeating in Italy
 And every time they make such an advance They lake to themselves all the resources of the stricken country When they choose to leave they leave barren deslitution, and add Co the burden of the humane world the feeding and clothing of the remnants, the shattered and torn human beings left behind
 The United States has been, Co all intents and purposes, nine months in war with this monster. Only the last few days have we struck a blow A few of cur men, directed by French officers, are n the fighting trenches in France. Had France not held the foe at hey, that German war machine would have been ham mering at our doors, and in our ill- preparedness would have slashed us to pieces just as it has those other countries and would have been using our resources to add to the strength of her blows on our head.
 We may as well awaken Co the truth. This war is not a nightmare nor bad dream. It is a reality, life We have got to get ready for the bitter work at hand.
 What shall We do, :? you may ask.
 We must do the WORK AT HAND.
 Last week 1t was that great Liber- ty Loan That is done. and well done.
 This week our government is ask ing that every woman who cooks and has io do with food shah sign a pledge card which is a promise to, so far as practicable, do those things that will save our resources to the end that we may successfully car rv on this war
 This pledge is not a pledge of hardship But the purpose is to or sanize the whole country as a unit that may be guided by central head that knows what is needed. and then may ask our help in doing that thing In fact the entire experience will probably be both educational and beneficial will help win the war.
 A few months ago the people of our country gave more than 100 mil lion dollars to the Red Cross this is to be used to care for wounded, the sick and Inc victims Of Teulonie barbarity
 Soon the people will be asked for 5 millions to look after the mentol