Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-04
WAR AGAINST PRUsSIAN MILITARISM

While this country has been practically in state of
war with Germany for time, it is now actually So
The president last night delivered his message to congress
citing specifically many of wanton sacrhcg OF the
lives of American citizens and repeated untrendly acts
on the part of Germany that make impossible to longer
bear with her. The government and the American people
have exhibited patience and forbearance with Germany
never before exhibited under like conditions by any
country.
There were many reasons for this. Our long friendly
relations with our old neighbor the fact that millions OF
Americans were either Germans by birth, OF German
descent the DESIRE we had to not add to the burdens the
German people were bearing, and top OF all pro-
found feeling of respect and deep liking for the German
people But while the is on, 1t should not be over
looked that America has no quarrel with tne German
people 1t is Prussan militarism as expressed by Cot
Falkenhayen: "To hell with the neutras; WIN the war;
that America takes up arms against The German peO-l
ple did not start the war that has deluged EUROPE WIN
blood but Prussian Militarism did The latter hi a
dream of world conquest, with the aid OF Its Zeppens,
and was plad Of the ring excuse which it took adj
vantage of to bring the about expecting to conquer
the world and establish on firm basis the domnauo
ef Prssian militarism That dream has brought oeat
to every German family. 1t has brought untold sulerg
and sorrow hunger and sickness at home and death IN It's
most hold forms in the shambes such as those on te
western front from which Germany has just WthdrWl
her soldiers The dream has VaAlsheo' ana nov aI'e
millions have been sent to DEATH and other millions ol
strong ereathearted men made helpless crppes'I
wrecks Of magnificent manhood, these same military
gentlemen hold out to the world that they are ready 10
honorable pcdCe PN"NN'
essy chose war instead in order to crafty their lust Iof
world power and now they pirate of wanting honorable
peace 1t is this element that has cursed Germany ana
threatened the world that the United States would curo
It was this element that told the United States to get OH
the seas the worlds highways, and stay OIL IL IS pe
cause the seas belong to the world and are not the private
property of the Prussian military gang that this country
refused to accept the invitation To do 80 would nave
been to concede Gemanys right control the oceans at
any time . A,.;oo t,,+ 10
It is safe to say there is not man in America put re-
oets this step has been forced the country IL IS us
as safe to say that Americans unit behind the preS
dent for even the pacfsts that war has been de
cared will wake up from their Qtoplan dreams anu
nroye themselves true Americans The feeling OF Amer
leans is expressed broadly in the statement ISSUED oy m
department that mo German would be lnterned N Cs
country nor would his business affairs be interfeed WIN
50 long as he obeyed the laws There IS absoluey no
feeling in this country against Germans but theTe IS an
intense bitterness against the mitarsm OF Prussia
which has almost wrecked civilization and has shameo
chrstianity There will be turning aside untll the
rights of peaceful citizens to travel the seas uoeSleu
is acknowledged and affairs between nations be placed on
plane where the peace of the world will no longer oe
menaced by any, When that is accomplished then Amer
lea too will be ready and anxious for IAN honoraoe
peace"
ue+o, c makino so randly these days that even the