American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-04-05
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triotism. but not 81 the noisy kind. In
q spirit OF resignation and regret those
assembled solemniy accepted the re-
spousibiliiics that - tholys By virtue
81 their citizenship. and resolved 20
sphold the administration. 20 acquiesce
IN II not 10 endorse. whatever action
the government OF the United States
might defermine beat 70 take, and 10
DO their full duty 20 their native or
adopted land
There were many present who have
been and yet are strong sympathixers
with the cause OF Germany 80 far as
the conflict between Germany and the
other European powers are concern
81 Ties OF kiuship, love OF the father
land. and their sources OF information
Inevitably make this "a. But with the
involving Of the United States In the
great conflict the conditions are chang
ed. There are heart burnings and re-
grets. hkeunt0 those which preceded
the arraying Of brother against broth
or and father against son In our Civil
var, but there Ia no faitering 10 the
loyalty and viii be no Sinking OF du-
~ BY such when called upon 10 uphold
their own country IN whatever circum-
stances may come. There Will be no
better Americans than our native born
or naturailzSd citizens OF German
blood We have no better people than
they, and Il IL a narrow ~nativc-born
American. with no ties that stretch
across the sea, who VIII not sympathize
with and be conaidernto OF the feel
ings o. those 20 whom our entrance
tnto the az brings a sadness that most
81 as can not know.
War. with all is horrors. Ia upon
ue. A fast a. the machinery OF gov
eminent eaa be made 20 move, and be-
fore these lines are printed the con-
Kress viii have declared that a state
Of war with Germany exists. and the
swlft-moying hours viii bring. In all
probability. The tragedy OF war 10 our
very doors IN a way that viii sadden
n Il does not inflame the nation In a
fury that knows no moderation. With
calm resignation. and a s~teadfastness
% purpose. our people should prepare
60 meet the rcyerses, 10 bear the hard
ships and endure the burdens and
sacrifices that are almost sure TO fol-
iow.
In all probability. unless the war
300 ends. great disasters viii be vis-
tied upon the armed forces OF the
United States. inefficiency II not I'M
b~ecility has been enthroned in high
places. Our navy and war depart
monts are presided over BY civilians
wholly unframed for the tremendous
responsibilities that must be theirs.
30 aeif-Aatished and serene have they
been in their s-elf-assurance that the
lessons Of the past few years have been
lost upon them. They have ignored.
suppressed and overrldden the sug-
gcstions OF the trained experts pro-
viced by congress for their guidance,
and In some Instances banished such
advisors from their presence. Politl-
cal %expediency has replaced service
and partisauship oyerridden patriO-
tism- Instead OF Substantially We
have had coWRrdiy servility. Our
leaders have been followers. lacking
~ courage 10 stand for the things OF
right regardless OF how their personal
fortunes might be affected We have
become victims OF the initiative. re-
ferendum and recall, limiting the re-
sponsibillty OF our servants and In
e~fcaslng the powers OF the agitator UNI
III courage shows only IN a crlais. We
have surrendered the functions OF re-
preventative government into the
hands OF selfish and unpatrlotlc walk
ing delegates In exchange for political
support, granting rights 20 such that
are denied 70 others. cxempting such
from the operation OF laws hat are
enforced against others. rather han
10 assume the duty and responsibility
shat vas ours. and hy SO doing have
Increased the perils that now con
confront as. Our navy IS ON paper.
The millions voted for preparedness
will produce only the beginning OF a
navy By 1921, We have no subma
fines. no aeroplanes. no machine guns
no ammunition. no Held guns. no
email arms. no army. and an under
manned navy Because OF these unpal-
utable truths reverses must be- ex-
pected. and the public must be pre-
pared 90 meet them
We can not hope 20 raise. train and
equip an army quicker than England
AID. and England has been almost
thret years % setting ready 90 night
We can raise one million men or sew
sra million. 10 need b.. We can get
Ach Tor The nayy more men than we
have ships. and more men than We
have arms 20 equip or ammunition 10
supply. lu couraHe Americans are the
equals Of any nation aud in devotion
60 native land they know no sup~eriors.
And great az the sacrifices may be.
they wnl be- met aith the spirit and
f0rutude Of ITS and OF 1919.
Ours ls the most representative gov-
ernmeut % the people. by the people
and for the people the world has ever
known Our government has spoken
through servants % our own choos-
ing Regretting the conditions that
confront us as We may. and disapproy-
ing Of the decision reached as some
do, there IL only one course open. and