Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-08-03
SENATOR BORAH STIRS
SENATE WITH SPEECH
Declares War in Which We Are Engaged is for
American Rights and American Principles
Makes Plea for Definite Policy.

C0uld more serious message
come, one involving more nearly the
lives OF millions OF our boys. than
the fact that Russia il breaking
down? The American people may
well offer a prayer for Kerensky. for
IL his leadership fails, the situation
will be disofganized beyond power
to portray.
mo more serious situNtion could
face the allies. But the best thing
the American people can know Isl
that the situation is here, that the
hour of sacrifice has arrived.
will the senate delay for single
hour in cutting away unnecessary
things which impede progress? VIII
it not cease discussing this bill on
money going into creek improve
ments?
Something was said here few
days ago about peace. 1t was dis
cussed. This is not an appropriate
time to discuss peace or to propose
peace il we propose to have that
peace which is permanent, and we
can not do IT with an enemy that is
apparently marching on to victory.
Does anyone suppose that Ger
many at this hour would consider
any proposition OF peace other than
the peace which takes care of Ger
many's interests as she alone sees 1t?
Does anyone suppose that with Rus
sia caving in, with The submarine
war growing stronger hnd more ef-
fective every day, with France appaF-
emily at the height of her fighting
power and not able in all probability
to go beyond the point which she now
holds-with these conditions pre-
seinted to the German mind-does
anyone suppose we could bring terms
Of peace upon any other basis what
ever than terms Germany would
prctically dictate7
But / believe that there should
be laid before the American people
more specific program as to what
we propose to attain. what we pro-
pose to accomplish and the terms
and conditions with which the war,
so far as Americans are concerned,
should end.
Il ssy this not with q view of
having Germany accept from us now
any proposition. say 1t for the pur-
pose Of arousing the interest OF the
American people and letting them
know definitely and specifically the
things for which they are expected &c
fight, and the things for which they
are expected to die. We cannot car
ry on this war without a thoroughly
aroused and sustained public opin.
ion in favor Of war.
America is still America and you
cannot change the American mar
over night. Despite the fact that We
have allies we are still America.
She is still a sun and not a sat
elite. II this war does not invoiv,
our institutions. IL the security anc
: safety Of our own democracy is no
involved, IL we are not fighting thi
war for the defense of our owl
rights and for the protection Of ou
own institutions, then the declara
tion was a bold and imprudent be
! trayal of the rights OF the whole m
tion and its continuance for a singl
: hour is a conspiracy against ever
: home in the land
I'VE have been supposed TO hav
been fighting for the rehabilitatio
;. of certain European nations. for th
Z redistribution of European territor1
for the re-establishment Of demo'
r racy and for humanity. We hay
/ been supposed to have been fightin
o for this and that in Europe. But III
n immediate and imminent peril whic
confronts the American people ii
II not been presented to them. II u
le American people realized that this
Y an American war In the sense that
II is French and English. II woul
. break down opposition and the Sc
% ate would not be sitting here passir
II on the advisability Of appropriate
= millions"