Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-01

New OIk. OCt. OLA OIL
eight planks designed as a constructive
program for the prosecution of the
war to definite victory has been
adopted by the American Defense So
ciety. it was announced today and will
be submitted for discussion and ap-
prevail to the chambers of commerce
throughout the country and to the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States at Washington. The purpose
OF the committee of the American De-
tense Society which drew up the pro-
gram is announced to be to solidify the
nation in the prosecution of the war.
Tie proposals, advocted by the society
in its war platform are:
That the administration at Wash
inGton be urged to send an overwhelm-
ing force to France.
TO intern alien enemies and enemy
sympathiZers whose conduct mperils
or impedes the war.
To warn Germany that departures
by her from the rules of war will not
he endured.
To forbid the pubicat ton of news
papers and magazines in the German
language during the war.
That Congress be asked at its next
S'S9ion 10 Heciafe that state OF war
exists with AUSTRIA Bulgarian and
Turkey: to expel any disloval members
and 70 enact a law prohibiting the is
srance Of rev securities except by
Federal license
1t is recommended TO various au-
thoritics" that they forbid the com
pulsorv study of German in the public
schools.
In its preamble to the platform. the
American Defense Society asserts that
it is "Sratifind At various steps taken
by tho administration. Congress and
throughout the nation on matters
bearing on the war against Germany
and her allies. and desiring that .he
war be prosecuted to definite victory,
and the nation solidfied to that end.
urges the foregoing steps"
The society'S statement adds:
'Great Britain, with popula ton of
about 50,000,o00. and France, with a
population of some 40,000,0 900. have al
ready contributed approximat ely
100000 and 100000 men. respective
ly. and have borne the burden of the
struggle for more than three years.
If America should send over even TO-
oo0'ooo men from its population of over
loo,Oo0,OO0, it would not, in our iudg-
ment. be doing more than an equiva
lent share. For America to send an
overwhelming force should also hasten
Germany's realization of the hopeless
ness of her cause and materially short
en- the war. The more men we send
the fewer will be slain.
The examples that Germany has
given of the course which the doctrine
OF mlhtarN necessity has impellcd her
TO follow surely justify warning that
departures by her from the rules OF
warfare VIII not be endured. and if
given we may look for an adhering on
hef part to civilized warfare AS If
VIII protect our forces in the field and
our peopl" both at home and on the
hich seas. is it not better to warn now
man 10 be compelled to act latero"
In advocating that Congress declare
that state of war exists with Aus
trla, bulgaria and Turkey. the state
ment saws: austria BULGARIA and
ihrkeN have been practically absorbed
Tor all Warlke purposes b, Germany
Ihelr active cooperation In war with
Germany demands. we believe such
action on our part against them MANY
NuStrlanS have been active in plots
against the United States. There is
not alone improperly hut also peril in
the continuation of Bulgaria's en-
bassy 1t is intolera BILE that America
should not assume the fullest cham
plonship of the unhappy Armenians
against the butchers of their defense
less people" In requesting that Con-
gross eXpel any disloyal members. the
society asks:
why send the nations youth to the
battlefield. and at the same time per-
init any man to set. from the vantage
point of high position. back fires which
will bring death to increasing thou
sands Of our men by weakening sup
port from behind the lines and hy
strengthening the enemy to renewed
endeavor?"