The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-08-07

80 N'I1A4NN1Cf WIN W. @J 1E4 N4C
world the consequences that would
follow, M tha did follow. the con-
tinuation of the policy of ruthlessness
After severing diplomatic relations, we
armed our merchant ships as a further
warning. In spite of the fact that she
knew the full consequences Of taking a
step which was confessedly illegal,
Germany again sank American ships
and killed Americans with the full ap-
prevail of the German government, and
without even the excuses or pretenses
which she advanced in the case of the
Lusitania.
Now. those fayoring what was call
ed private war" arose and said, "let
us declare war exists with Germany
and sink her ships and fight her
tooth and nail until she revokes her
ruthless policy and pays us indem-
mites for the ships that she has
sunk" Others took a broader view of
our dangers and obligations, but for
the m we are concerned with
those taking the narrower viewpoint,
among whom we would class Senator
ROrah. We declared war existed by
act of Germany in sinking our ships
and killing our people in confessed
violations of the law of nations. Con-
gress said that this constituted war.
And it was a war begun by Germany
against us. The war still continues.
All Americans who are not traitors,
Including the senior senator, want it
pushed to a successful conclusion.
But there is a dispute about what
would constitute such conclusion"
says Senator Borah in substance.
Perhaps there is. senator, but this
much is certain. At this time no
worthy American would want the war
stopped until all danger of American
lives on American vessels on the sea
from confessedly illegal warfare
should forever be d%issipated. Isn't
that true? You wouldn't, would you.
senator?
Other neutral countries less fOrtu-
nately situated han we are have the
same grievance against Germany that
caused US to declare war. Some did
not dare to do more thar protest.
Brazil and Cuba declared war on this
account. The rest OF Latin America,
Spain. Holland and the Scandinavian
countries either protested and severed
relations or simply protested. Those
neutral countries still suffer. Ger
many has shown no disposition to
cease her ruthless conduct toward
item or toward anybody. If Germany
wants a peace which will satisfy even
the strictest of the sect of private
war;" she must cease this high-sea
murder.
Until she does that, what is the use
Of the United States, after declaring
that war exists for this reason, to
hold forth the olive branch, when this
bloody business is still going on? If
Germany had a change of heart in this
case she has ample means of letting
IL be known. If she were willing to
quit this illegal killing Of Americans
plying their trade under the laws of
nations, she could signify that fact.
Does Senator Borah or any other of
those who are prating about stating
terms. believe that Germany would to-
day quit summarizing if we would put
that in as a condition of separate
peace. If so, on what is their faith
based?
And is it not the place of Germany,
seeing that she is responsible for this
war, to tell us if she has decided TO
quit her in this respect?
She. not America, is the aggressor.
We do not believe that the United
States, for it's own safety as a repub-
lie, could afford to make peace sim
ply on the pledge of Germany to re-
frain from submarine warfare, know
ing how worthless that pledge is. But
ey en- if we did take that view, we
should insist that Germany in a tangi-
Bile way show that she intended to at
least offer to make such pledge, be-
fore crying that we would like to ex-
plain to her on what terms we would
make peace.
If Senator Borah has reason to be-
lieve that Germany wants peace with
Us, even on the narrowest terms
which a private war" man could ac-
cept, he ought to inform the world on
what that belief is based.
We're the sentiments of Senator
Borah uttered by a ~"hyphenate," we
would say that he talked like a traitor.
In the case of the senator we hasten
to acquit him of that charge. and to
amend it by saying that he talks like
an ass.