Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-09
Our First Losses.

The great war has been brought directly to the
hearts OF the American people. United States SOL
diers have been killed in the fighting on land In
France Others of their companions have been
wounded or CAPTURED The casualty list has been
published.
The names OF the relatives of the men who have
been the first to suffer in the fight for democracy
are known.
The American spirit has risen superbly to the
task of financing the war, of making triumphant
successes OF both issues of the Liberty loans, OF
supporting all forms of auxiliary service for the
comfort and well-being of soldiers and sailors
These things the country has done because through
it sweIls and sweeps overlooking tide of patri-
otism, as clean, cleansing and uplifting as the
breezes that enwrap mountain tops.
While the nations part in the war was confined
to these things the struggle--its magnitude and
fits gravity-was sensed rightly but somewhat dimly
for the personal human touch was lacking.
No great cause, great advance in human
rights has ever yet been effected has long en-
dured that has not been gloried by grief sancti
fed by suffering. One touch Of nature, It's said,
make the whole world kin. One touch of sorrow
sustained in a common cause eyokes tenfold
strength of loyalty and bids the Giant of Determi-
nation step forth, full panopled, to make certain
that the SORROW shall not have been borne in vain
Americas feeling for the never be the same
since IL has become TACT that the hun mas Claimed
victim the flesh and blood of our fighting men.
The insulating veil of distance and mere prepare
ton has been torn aside and our fight with the
Prussian monster stands revealed, fierce cruel and
long drawn out as it is and as it must be.
Since our entrance into the war we have, of
course. been drawing nearer and nearer this grim
event 1t has been expected and prepared for, but
all expectation and all preparation could not fore
see the thrill of grief and the reaction for more
united country back OF our armed forces that fol-
lowed the news OF our first losses.
The first successful attack made upon the
United States since its entrance into the with
Germany came on October II, when a German
torpedo sunk the troop ship Antilles, its home
ward Journey with the loss of sxty-seven soldiers
and sailors. This is now followed by the death of
three United States soldiers the wounding of five
and the capture OF twelve in a German raid on the
French trenches on the Rhine-Marne canal near
the Lorraine boundary of Germany, where the
training.
For our nation, these two events bring the war
to a sharper focus, make more clearly the
part we must play and the price we must pay.
Already they have had the effect OF precipitating
a firmer resolve for victory, out of which should
come also less tolerance for those persons who at
home who would hinder outright the measures of
the government for prosecuting the to a sue
cessfuI end or who would be slackers in yielding
them whoIe-hearted support. When blood is be-
ing spilled and lives are being sacrificed in the
sacred cause of liberty and in defense of country
there must be no room, softness for laggards
or traitors.