Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-03
A WAR MIND.

A WAR MIND.
Toward the end of well written re-
view of the three years of the world
war, by Arthur H. Warner Of the New
York Evening Post, we find this signifi-
cant paragraph:
AS the third year of the war
draws to close 1t Is widely as
serted that its future progress and
the decisions Of the peace confer
euce which will terminate it lie
largely in the hands Of two coun-
tries-America and Russia. 1t IS
easy to exaegerate the truth that
underlies this statement. What
Russia will do depends upon the
capacity Of some governing group
to hold her together and unite her
people in a policy. What America
will do. depends upon the growth
Of a war mind and the capacity
that a decentralized system Of gov
eminent develops for military ef-
fort
That is what America needs-a war
mind" And until her people-all OF
them-achieve a realization Of the per-
Ills which confront their government
and themselves there will be a large
measure Of justification for the boasts
of the kaiser and his nouthpiece,
Michaelis, that the entrance OF the
United States into the war does not
change the situation nor lessen tho
likelihood Of German triumph.
America Is raising vast army, 1t Is
true. America is financing other ma
lions in the war against Germany:
America is arranging to feed the world
and to combat the German submarine
and the German army.
But instead Of submerging every
other consideration and realizing that
the duties imposed by the war are
greater and more important than any
other duty or any other thing IN Amer
lea. big portion Of Americas citizen
.xhio etther passively blinds itself to
these wartime duties or shirks them
openly by taking position inimical TO
ne progress which the government
must make with all speed, II it is to be
a factor in the war.
or all the nations opposed to Ger
many and her allies today. America
and Russia are the two which have en-
ployed only fraction of their vast re-
sources in making war. And the same
shirt of internal dissension which Is
writing disgrace into the pages OF rus
sia's history is working determ1nedly
and with threatening ehect to destroy
Americas military effectiveness.
It is strange that Americans are SO
able to look across the ocean and see
exactly what ails Russia at this mo-
ment. when they cannot recognize IN
their own country precisely the same
peril. Russia, ground under the heel
of absolutism for SO many generations.
is finding great difficulty in assimilat-
ing the new.found liberty which fol-
lowed the overthrow of the Romanons.
Cunning German espionage is taking
advantage of the ignorance and cupid
lty which are characteristic OF big
proportion Of the Russian population,
and the result is that nation OF ZOO
5000 souls and wonderful naturai
resources is almost negative quantity
in the list of Germany's enemies.
America is a victim of German prop
uganda in various guises. The sense.
less fear Of antagonizing citizens OF
German birth has prevented frank dis
eussion of the atrocities for which the
kaiser and his government are re-
sponsible. The desire to guard polit-
lcal parties against reprisals by Ger
man. American voters also contributes.
But the greatest factor which is
weakening America as military pow
er today Is the German propaganda
) voiced by paid agents of Germany and
their tools and dupes. For want OF q
better descriptive name we have called
these people paciflsts, but this is mis-
nomer. They are war party In
truth-a German war party in the
heart of America. enjoying the free
dom which American institutions
grant so readily to the opponents OF
wild isms and silly doctrines.
The I. w. w. is traitorous organ
1zation; the socialist party Is circulat.
ing anarchistic literature which should
he suppressed; half a dozen so-called
orpanizations-leag for peace. so
cieties OF freedom. etcetera-are strik
,np at the very heart of the nation
from which their members claim pro
lection while they continue their treas
enable practices.
, II is time for the government at
Washington to adopt direct methods to
stamp out the doctrine OF disloyalty
which is sapping Americas strength
Halfway measures will not suffice: ap
peals to patriotism cannot avail where
patriotism does not exist.
Every loyal American must consti
tute himself guardian Of his nations
safety and an informer against those
who are disloyal. There must be
sharp line of distinction between the
patriotic citizens and those who are
waging Germany's fight within the
United States. The enemy at home
must be defeated. 1t is our duty {
our soldiers and ourselves. 1t is oul
duty to our country and our allies. II
Il our duty to humanity and the right
REASON FOR THE EMBARGO.
IN tho SATURDAY. Evening Post, Car