The Ordway new era., 1917-11-16

N question the justice Of our
N N entering the war with Ger
many, unless he be ignor-
~D ant Of why we did so. We
W have viewed for years the
preparations for war being made by
Germany, little dreaming that they
might concern us, though occasionally
there was apprehension as to the am
bition of the German rulers to be to
tile modern world what the Roman
rulers were to the world of their time.
When the day came for which Ger
many had been so long preparing she
suddenly hurled her tremendous mill
tary forces at the adjoining nations
Americans read with amaZement of
the ruthless violation of the rights of
neutrals and the reckless disregard of
treaty obligations on the part of Ger
many, but the war in its beginning
seemed remote from our affairs and
not necessarily to affect American
rights. There were advocates of each
of the contending nations among us,
and strict neutrality was maintained
The cruel treatment Of the conquered
and enslaved Belgians excited our
sympathy and aroused our resent
ment, but there was no certainty then
that these acts had the approval of
the German rulers, SO the American
republic remained neutral, and the
American people hoped against hope
that America might not become In
volved.
As events followed events and the
frightfulness of the German military
policy became more and more evident
those among US who sympathiZed with
the German cause were little by little
alienated. There was still an under
current Of hope that we might not be
drawn into the terrible conflict. Pres
ident Wilson endeavored in every way
possible, consistent with the national
honor and dignity, to avert the dis
aster of war. On May q, 1916, he
urged the warning nations to state
their peace terms, and pledged that
the United States would become a
partner in any scheme of lasting peace.
The answer of Germany was evasive
and unsatisfactory. Then came the
sinking Of the Lusitania and the wan
ton murder by drowning Of hundreds
Of noncombatant American men and
helpless women and children. This
act was so constituencies and inhu-
man, so contrary to all the rules or
civilized warfare, that shudder OF
horror ran throughout the American
republic, and the few remaining SYM
pathizers with the German cause saw
they could no longer continue their
friendship for any nation guilty OF
such deliberate acts of brutality and
savagery.
President Was Patient.
The demand came from end to end
of the nation to declare war against
this monster which was running amuck
among the nations. The president,
however, was patient. He hesitated
TO lead the nation into the awful vor-
tex of war and endeavored to save the
national honor without that dire neces-
sity. He wrote note of protest to
the German rulers. They promised
they would sink no more merchant
ships without warning, and Tor tifne
IL was thought that the crisis might
mass. but it was only hope to those
who realized the German purpose OIL
world domination. The president calm
ly waited, ignoring the malignant crl.
ticism and bitter attacks of some OF
those who insisted that we could no
longer honorably remain out OF the
conflict.
As late as January %, 1917, the pres
ident addressed the senate, urging u
plan of lasting peace among the il''-
tions through international arrange
ment. A few days thereafter 1t pc
come known that on January III, l9l''
the German rulers had sent secret
note to Mexico and Japan, attempting
IN mite them in war against the
United States, and promising to give
Mexico in turn part OF the oniteu
Stotes. Then Germany notined our
government that 1t would no longer
Ieen its promise not to sink merchant
shins without warning. By plain I'M
nlication 1t admitted that 1t had given
this promise merely to gain nme los
preparation for warfare OF hiaeous
fr,rhtfulness. What was to be done
EVERY effort Of diplomacy had been eA-
hausted. American ships were oeihe
.unk without warning, the American
f,ae was being insulted and nrea upon
American men and women were Delne
butchered, the mailed fist of Germany vs. $
war lord was being shaken at Amer
loan institutions. German spies m
tested our country, endeavoring to m,
cite discontent. strikes, and even CIV, -
war. It was plain that the Gerlna, .s
autocracy regarded this republic VIII wiz
contempt, and Its entrance OF noasn eD,n
france into the war as matter OF ~ ~.
difference. National honor anu .,,,na na
tional safety demanded that sometmas -
should be done. Submission ~ suJ., ~
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