Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-10-23
Special Dispatch from
II. n. RICKEY,
Head Of THE EVENING JoUnNAL'!

Head OF THE EVENING JOURNALS
Washington Bureau.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 23.-The
attitude OF every responsible official
OF the government from President VIII
son down, Is that a large war sub
scription OF the second Liberty Loan
will do more to break down the re-
sistance OF the Germans and thus
hasten the end Of the war than any
military effort that is possible by
America or her allies this fall.
By large over-subscrlption Is
meant a subscription totalllng Ave bill
lion dollars, which Is the maximum
amount asked for by the secretary OF
the treasury.
Three billion dollars Is the minimum
amount that the immediate financial
necessities Of the government require.
Should the subscriptions fall short
OF this minimum, not only would the
government be greatly embarrassed In
carrying out its vast military plans, but
Germany would be stimulated 10 re-
newed effort and determination.
There have been signs during the
last few months OF growing unrest
not only among the German civilian
population but among the German
fighting forces both on land and sea.
While the president and his close
advisers are not overly optimistic as
TO the extent Of this unrest, their In
formation from the highest European
sources is that the German people are
beginning to realize what they will be
up against when the main Industrial
and financial power OF America has
been modified and Is ready TO deliver
its blow.
There is not the slightest doubt that
this fear Of America and hopelessness
OF their situation when America gets
on a war footing are slowly but sure
ly undermining the morale OF the Ger
man people.
The ruling class In Germany has up
10 now been able TO overcome the ef-
feet Of this fear TO some extent by
making light OF Americas military pre-
parations.
Ever since America declared war,
every avenue Of publicity In Germany
has been used by the kaiser and his
fellow autocrats 10 picture America TO
the German people as a nation OF
greedy decadent braggards who were
simply bluflng when they talked about
really lighting Germany.
I'VE have nothing to fear from these
soft Yankee shopkeeners When they
reach the point in their war prepara-
tions that they are called upon TO make
real sacrifices for the war. they will
quit like a lot OF yellow dogs"
This In effect is what the German
people have been and are being told
by their rulers.
Whether or not the kaiser and his
crowd believe this is entirely beside
the question.
They are trying to make the German
people believe IL. and 10 some extent
are succeeding, for the German people
require a lot Of evidence to convince
them that every word spoken by theil
divine-right kaiser Is not Inspired.
Little by little the evidence from
America has been sitting into Germany
and having the desired effect, as shown
by speeches by the more Independent
members OF the reichstag, and guard
ed articles in the less cowed newspa
pers.
When a large fleet OF American des
troyers began hunting U-boats II
European waters, the German peopl
were told that the fleet consisted OF
few ancient tubs that couldn't do tn
U-boats any harm.
When Pershings regulars landed II
France, the German people were toll
that they were a mere handful OF un
trained men who couldn't stand NJ
before a single German regiment, ant
that 1t would be months, maybe a yea
or two, before America could get evel
100000 troops 70 France.
Then came the FIRST Liberty Loan AM
the 80 per cent. oversubscription. Tn
kaiser and his crowd had to do som
tall explaining.
There is good reason TO believe tina
the result OF the FIRST Liberty Loal
opened the eyes OF millions OF German
10 the fact that America, richer tina
any other three nations In the world
with 100000 people and unmatche
natural resources. was an enemy to b
reckoned with.
For II showed them that the peopI
OF this country were willing to d
what the kaiser and his crowd had toll
them they would NOT do-back u
their government with their dollars.
America had been pictured to them a
q divided nation, dragooned into On
war by a British-loving president
collision with munition makers an
other capitalists; and here were mi
lions OF Americans subscribing II
three billions Of 3 ~ per cent. wa
bonds-a billion more than their pres
ident asked for.
And now America is raising her Sc,
0nd Liberty Loan at the very time tn