The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1917-04-19

It'll
IT'S GRIM, RELENTLESS WAR
When the Kaiser proposed a
peace conference, ON the bluntly
stated assumption that Germany
had virtually won the war, and
the proposal was rejected, we'll
informed opinion in England was
nearly unanimous that Germany
would resume unrestricted sub
marine warfare. President Wilson
had said fatty that unrestricted
submarine operations would cause
the United States to break diplo-
matte relations with Germany /;
and if Germany then sank mer-
chant ships without warning, in
vOlving loss off American lives,
war was the only rational proba-
bility.
A blind man could see that.
Germany saw it, of course, and at
least ten days before announcing
resumption of unrestricted sub
marine operation began making
active preparations for war with
the United States-very naturally
looking to Mexico as a possible
ally who might be useful to her
by harrassing us.
1t is silly to affect surprise at
this action on the part of a nation
that saw nothing in Belgium ex-
cept the easiest road to France.
The moment a cancellation of the
Sussex pledge became probable
the United States and Germany
faced toward war; and Germany,
as a matter of course, began look
ing for the best places to strike.
We ought to know by this time
that Germany fights no toy wars
and sentiment has no place in the
calculations of her general staff.
At war with the United States,
she would exert every means at
her command to injure us in ev-
cry possible way, and she would
not be lacking in ingenuity to de-
wise means Of injury.
If there is any spot in Latin
or elsewhere on the
globe, where she could stir up
trouble for us she would be at it.
who imagines that war
with Germany is a sort Of young
ladies' boarding-school pillow
fight is imagining i'll for the Unit
ed States.
In the present situation the I'm I
ted States has nothing to apollo
yize for; its cause during thirty
of European war was
light. Tt was right in rejecting
.onscription; right in maintaining |
hat compulsory army service !
ihould not be adopted here, I
ave under the pressure of evil
lent necessity. It wanted moth Q
ng in the Balkans. Tt had no part
n the web of elashing ambitions /
md mutual jealousies out of
which the European war rose. 1t n
vas right in going to the utmost C
olerable lengths to keep out of v
hat essentially mad, anarehic con-
lict. y
1t detested such German crimes i
S the violation Of Belgium and ]
he sinking Of the Lusitania; but
! was right in resisting the emo Il
ional elamor that would have v
lade it play the role of an armed 0
when it still might hope
ot only to gain endurable con- v
itions for itself without war but il
D save the neutral position that p
rould enable it to advance the
leal of world peace. Il
Without war it did for many Il
Ionths gain tolerable recognition c;
{ its neutral rights at sea; and as
neutral it formulated the idea II
a league of nations to maintain D
aace, which must finally take pl
Ie place of Europe's internation- nj
anarchy.
The United States took risk Vi
G risk Of finally being dragged HI
to war i'll prepared. But it took 81
G risk in the interest of the high W
/ political ideal-the ideal Of a
aceful, ordered, law-governed "
,rld. I'll
It has nothing to apologize for. W
Saturday Evening Post. an