The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-08-06
karmisIs and .s.Sfrem


European war couldn't find
any on }e to talk to. Why, David
Starr Jordan had demonstrated by
higher mathematics and biological
research that such a calamity as a
general European war was an abSo-
lutte impoSsibility and that it was
criminal folly for us to build up an
army and navy with money that
might be devoted to the strengthen
ing of each Congressman in his own
district. Dr.. Jordan is still running
around. trying to collect the frag-
ments of his busted theories He is
our best authority on fishes and he
proves it every time he talks about
war.
All the soothing assurances OF the
peace-ioverS have come to naught.
This time the cry of wolff was not
a false alarm. The unbelievable
thing has happened. We are at war
with our friends of yesterday We
have marked as an enemy every man
who gives undivided allegiance to
the Kaiser because we know that
the Kaiser would. if he could, do to
us ten times over what he did to un-
offending Belgium.
In Germany it is commonly believ-
ed that the pro-ally sentiment over
here is poisonous product, encour-
aged and fOstered by British false
hoods. We are a simple and credu-
lous beople. avaricious and lackin G
the Il ng vision of those who would
buildtempires and control large des-
TIMES,
Is there any measure of truth in
their belief that we have been mis-
led and hoodwinked by Britain?
Now that we are in the war, can
any man convince himself that we
might have kept out Of it? Should
we have refused to sell munitions
to the Allies? Could We have re-
pressed and held in check our feel
ing OF gratitude to France for ser
vices rendered long ago?
IL We can give straight answers to
these questions We are doubly forti-
fed for the war.
And, if these questions suggest
themselves to us, time and time
again, it is not because We have our
doubts. but because the more judi
eially and cold-bloodedly and impair
TALLY we cross-eXamine ourselves, the
more evident it becomes that we
either had to go into this war OF
surrender our charter as a free peo-
pie.
Two prodigious facts stood out be-
fore us at the beginning of the strug-
gle. All the sophistries and indirec-
tions of the diplomats, all the green
books and blue books and white
! books flooding the world. all OF the
libraries that will be written in ex
planation and defense never can re-
move or even alter these two noun
| tainpeakS of truth.
/ One fact was that Germany delib-
erately forced the war because II
seemed that the fortunate Day had
arrived when the continent of Eu-
| rope could be pounded into submis-
sion.
The other fact was that Germany
deliberately broke her word Of hon
OF and outlawed herself by the bru-
| tai INVASION of Belgium.
With these two facts looming in
| FROM of them, the American people
| Immediately and instinctively turned
| against Germany. Our sympathies
| werk given whole to the
Allifs because they couldn't go any
whdfe else. The issues were too
plaAt The evidence was too unmis-
| takA,le. Great Britain and France
! didAot lead us. We were led by
an ild-fashioned and elemental pref
ernd for decency and fair play.
ii er that we sold food and muni-
| tioI to the enemies of Germany.
II Germans have always insisted
/ IrnnA fhair RIGHT to sell 0unS and
she2 anywhere in the world at any
timSI Our soldiers in the Spanish
Am3'ican war were killed by Ger