The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-26
Reasons Why We
 Are in the War

Reasons Why We
 Are in the War
 MMEN who were avowed pacifists GV4 at the time the United States declared war against Germany, have, with few exceptions, been keeping quiet. But in certain sections many of them, not meaning to be disloyal, have, by their negative attitude to- ward the liberty loan, given comfort to the enemy, which, by the terms of the constitution, might be construed into downright treason.
 The trouble is that majority of those who have refused to aid the government in this crisis, but on the contrary have decried liberty bond is- sues although well able to invest in these securities, are too obtuse to understand why we are in war.
 The reasons were set forth fully in the discussions in Congress, in the ringing messages and other state papers of President Wilson, in public addresses by members of the cabinet and in forceful newspaper articles. The man who pretends to keep in- formed has read, if not thoughtfully, yet enough to get certain concrete facts into his head
 Aside from overt acts committed by Germany, which would have com pelled tkis country to declare war, if it had any mind to national self respect, it was as clear as day to see that if the central powers were to whip Great Britain and France, it would come our turn next, and that without the least delay America would have been at the mercy of the Huns. It would have been too late then to talk about war of defense, being the only sort of war the pacifists approved of. Germany's conquest would have been complete. Everybody in the United States farmers, merchants, and bankers would have been bankrupt and Amer ica vanquished would have become only a memory.
 Self preservation then was the com polling motive. We must fight, too, to make democracy safe in the world, which was only variant of the idea that we must maintain our own free dom. There were other reasons, but one was enough And yet thcre arc those who pretend not to cohlprehend the situation.
 Is it obtusenass altogether, or is it perverseness, coupled with lack of genuine patriotism? Is a further campaign of education in what con- constitutes real Americanism needed? If so, let have it.
 In the meantime, let all good citizens of Birmingham rejoice that the big liberty loan has been largely over- subscribed here, and that faith in the administration and loyalty to Uncle Sam are never-failing characteristics of our people.
 Those pesky U-boats have fattened their batting average again. Before long the allies are going to deliver con certed attack against German submarine bases, on land and sea, and we'll hear little more about the U-boats.
 A fellow who tried to kiss a slim young woman in an eastern city dis covered to his sorrow that she was copette. Policewomen who don't look the part certainly do have an unfair ad- vantage.
 It is reported that the high cost of liquor has reduced drunkenness in New York. Evidently there are some people in New York who do not habitually carry bank roll that would choke a horse.
 It is trite to say that Sarah Bernhardt Is B years young. but what else can you say when a woman snaps her fin- gers under the very nose of old Father Time?
 Baltimore is selling Scotch whisky at 50 cents throw but the justly fa- nous Baltimore rye can be tossed into the system for considerably less than that
 Birmingham has twice oversubscribed her allotment of liberty bonds. There is disposition in this town to Swat the Kaiser no matter what 1t costs.