Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-05-03
THE PRICE OF VICTORY


That Germany, will eventually be
crushed and Kaiserism eliminated
from the world is the concensus n1
opinion Of those in positions to know
whereof they speak, but that the pro
cedure will be costly is also frankly
admitted. General Joffre, now IN this
country, said upon his arrival here
that the result of the titanic con-
Hict is no longer uncertain that Is
that the autocracy of the central pow
ers of Europe must give way to the
nations fighting in the interests OF
democracy. He added, however, that
the end of present conditions In Ger
many and Austria was problematlc'
as no one can say with certainty when
the end of Kaiserism will come. But
there are certain signs which lead
to the belief that the beginning OF the
end is in sight.
During the war between Russia ana
japan the Muscovites knew that the
Nipponese could take Port Arthur
when they were ready to pay the
price. General Nogi, in his own time,
determined to pay the price. Two OIL
his sons were among the thousands
of Japanese who fell before this great
stronghold.
The Germans, it is said, sacrificed
half a million men in futile attempts
to capture Verdun. Joffre was later
asked if it were possible for the Teu-
tons to take the place. He replied,
Eyes, when they are ready to pay
the price" The invaders concluded
they would not pay the price.
The civilized world is now up
against a similar proposition. The
blight of Kaiserism must be ellmlnat-
ed, but the price must be paid. The
United States, China, Japan and Por-
tueal cannot look on as spectators OF
what is going on in Europe. AS free
dom is being menaced by the Teuton'c
race. all nations who have broken off
relations with the central powers and
declared whr against them must
unite and eventually pay the price,
of victory. It was so when Napoleon
was overrunning Europe; and the
same procedure must be adopted with
the Hohenzollerns.
Sir Walter Scott in his Life Oh
Napoleon" in describing the battle OF
Waterloo says Napoleon was crush
ed, but he put Grape upon every other
home in England" Grape will prob
ably be put upon many houses IN
England, France, the United States,
japan. China, Portugal and other lib
erty-loving countries before the Mlno-
taur shall have been cast out and
slain.
The Washington Post in this con-
nection says:
Germany has spared no one, She
has taken every man and boy avail
able, has put women into the agric?ii-
turl field and forced every individual
10 do his bit to preserve her lines IN
broken, She has taken young men be-
low military age and old men above
military age and apparent military
usefulness and put them all into the
fighting line. Soon she will be sound
ing the depth of her resources OF
man power.
The allies. however, have hardly be-
gun. The United States, if it does its
part in accordance with its tradi
lions. can send 100000 or even TO-
100000 men to the battle line. Japan,
if called upon, can furnish 100000,
China, which soon will enter the war,
can furnish 25,000,000.
No longer does the old training
period Of a year intervene between
the moment of decision and the time
of accomplishment. Raw troops,
France has found, can be turned into
good soldiers within few weeks.
Japan and China have ranged them
selves on the side of humanity. CIV
ilization is not limited by color, or
creed. but lies in the promptings OF
the mind and heart.
Victory depends upon the answer
to a single question: %Are the friends
of civilization willing to pay the price
Of victory?"