The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-24
III Germany Won.
(By Capers Whitney of The Vigil
antes.)

antes)
Do you realize what would hap
pen to us in America if Germany de-
feated Great Britain and France?
You think of us as separated from
her by 5000 miles of water, but
oceans in these days of electricity
and air-ships and submarines, are
barriers no more effective than
mountain brooks.
You recall the German u-boat
which suddenly appeared last sum-
mer at our very door to sink several
cargo and passenger steamer off our
New England coast?
Within six months after a victory
of Germany i'm Europe, German war
ships and German troop ships would
be on their way to our ports to levy
the great tribute upon this rich coun-
try which is part and parcel of the
German war plan.
That's what the triumph of the
Kaiser would mean to America and to
you--billions of dollars of tribute Of
which you would have to pay your
share through oppressive taxation 1t
is on the Pan-Germanic programme.
Officers, merchants, educators said
as much to me in Germany, Bel
gium, Poland, during my year behind
the German lines on relief work. And
you have probably read the corro-
borative evidence of their purpose in
the Kaiser's threat to Ambassador
Gerard, America had better look out
after this war;"
In Brazil. Chill, Venenzuela, prom
inent German merchants whom 1 met
in the course of my travels, frankly
confided to me the intention of Ger
many lone day" to make an cover
seas Germany" Of South America. And
an elephant catcher from Hamburg
told me years ago in the jungles Of
Lower Siam that 'the day was COM
ing" when Germans would not need to
ask permits of England or France
or Siam" for a free hunting hand in
Siam or Malay. AS a German officer
at their Great Headquarters In north
ern France said to me once at the
close of discussion as to where the
war was leading the principle bel
igerants-Great Britain, France,
Germany-'world power or complete
defeat; Germany wants no half way
result"
German victory would at once
rut in Jeopardy all the priciples for
which we ever fought-freedom on
land in 1875, liberty at sea in 1872,
the right of frontier lines in 1871. the
rc-afiirmation of the freedom OF the
white man through giving freedom 20
the negro in 1861, and the rights OF
little nations i'm 1898.
fortnight ago, German victory
seemed the widest improba bility.
Since then the situation has changed.
The German armies arc pouring into
northern Italy. Italy may not pc
able TO stop them. Germany may
torcc her to make peace. With Rus
sia and Italy both out of the war, Ger
many and Austria would be able to
send practically all their force against
the allies on the Western front.
The chances are that England.
France and Belgium alone could not
hold them. The United States must
leap to their side. the American peo-
pie must leap to their side. Not
American soldiers only, not American
SHIPS only, not American guns only,
put American men, women and chill
dren from Maine to Texas, from
IeXas to Oregon, must in one way or
another consider themselves fighters
at the side of Americas allies on the
battle front.
III they cannot hold gun. they
must support those who do. They
must save food and save money. They
must talk war. They must think war.
III they don't, Germany will win.
And then