The Republican journal., 1917-02-08

Eagle.
| Prussian Militarism has now exhibited
itself in all its ferocity and barbarism.
If any doubt existed before the German
note was written none exists now that
there can be no lasting peace in the
world until Prussian Militarism is abso-
lutely crushed.
What was Germany's object in virtual
| ly declaring war against the United
States? She would not take such step
without considering the consequences.
| One view is that this country has sub
mitted to so much injury and insult from
Germany that all she had to fear was a
Note of protest. Another view is that,
recognizing her desperate condition, and
inevitable defeat, the war lords of Ger
many had sought by arraying the whole
civilized world against her 10 have pre-
text for laying down their arms and
making the best terms possible for
peace.
The Sundayn eWspapers which contain
ed the Presidents message also had the
news of the sinking by a German sub
marine of the American steamer Housa-
tonic, with Americans on board, and if
she was sunk without warning it was
felt that this must become serious fac
tor in the crisis with Germany, and not
unlikely lead to a declaration of war.
But later advices stated that adequate
warning was given, that the submarine
lowed the officers and crew for an hour
and half and then called an English pa
troll boat which carried the men to Eng
land.
The nations forces were at once set to
work preparing for the eventuality of
war; financial problems were considered,
as we'll as the resources of men and
ships, for the defense of the dignity and
honor of the country. Measures for
taking over the private shipyards, NUM-
ton factories, ETC., were prepared and
m ny were voluntarily offered to the
government. Guards were placed where
ever it was considered they were needed,
and steps taken for mobilizing the mill
tia. Extra guards were placed about the
many German steamers ,interned in
| American ports, and in several cases it
was found that their machinery had been
disabled and preparations made for sink
| ing them by their German crews. One
German steamer at Charleston, S. c.,
was sunk before the break came, evil
IDENTIFY premature act on the part of her
captain. 1t is reported that virtually all
the machinery and engines of the %
German steamers lying in Philippine
ports have been damaged by their crews.
1t is said that this government has no
immediate intention of Selling those
ships but they will be closely watched
and guarded.
the neutral powers in response to the
Note from President Wilson asking them
to join in the protest of this government
by severing relations with Germany.
But Spain, which has troubles of her
own, has been reported as threatening to
declare war against Germany, and Bra
iii has signiied her intention of sending
protest to Germany, In which other
South American countries are expected
to join. Austria has not been heard
from at this writing, but if she ratifes
lead to a severance of relations with
that country. The Manchester, England,
Guardian "believes that President Will
son has already received assurances that
other great neutral powers will follow
the lead of the United States" ''The
United States" says the Guardian,
"takes her rightful place to-dayas the
greatest of neutral powers end their
leader. If other powers, notably the
powers of South America, should join
the United States in this step there is
strong probability that they will join in
the next and decisive one of entering
side by side in the war;"
1t was made known Monday that the
German government had ordered the
immediate release of the American sail
ors taken from British ships by the Ger
man raider in the Atlantic, as demanded
by the United States, shortly before the
severing of diplomatic relations. This
action was interpreted in some quarters
as an indication of conciliatory attempt
on the part of Germany, since formerly
these men were legally prisoners of war,
having accepted service on armed belig-
erent merchant vessels. At the same
time Berlin despatch of Feb. 4th said:
According to information obtained in
official quarters there is no prospect of
any modification of the orders to SUBJ
Marines"
President Wilson Monday issued a
proclamation, under the authority of the
recent shipping act, prohibiting Ameri-