Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-08-25
JOHN J. MITCHELL ON THE WAR.

John J. Mitchell, president OF the
Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, has
made public, through the Universal
Military Training League. this state.
ment entitled "Crisis of Criseg":
"As a cold blooded business and
war proposition, democracy cannot
compete on equal terms with auto
crazy. II efficiency is the aim of gov
eminent, then autocracy should pre-
vail. In blood and iron it can get
more out of dollar, but If govern.
ment exists for the people, to secure
their happiness, liberties, and op.
portunities, with only such restric.
lions and limitations as the people as
sent to as necessary for the general
welfare, then popular government
alone meets these fundamental
needs. Better liberty in a hut than
servitude in a palace.
In the last analysis, the issue In
the awful war now raging Is, Shall
democracy or autocracy rule the
world" AS the matter stands today
with Russia crumbling, with France
bled to the white, and with England
approximating her maximum resist.
ance, 1t is plainly up to the American
people to get into this conflict with
every man and every dollar available
and put 1t where II will do the most
good and to do 1t quickly.
AN immediate need is n spiritual
renaissance, comprehension of the
eli hat N
that our national life, our cherished
ideals, the priceless heritage of free
dom and opportunity in the garden OF
the world, aye, that civilization itself
is at stake in this mighty struggle
upon which we have entered.
"As a people we must have no In
terest or purpose in life that stands
before the winning of this war, and
doing 1t as decisively and as quickly
as Is possible. We must not stop to
count the cost in men or money mol
in sacrifice or service.
Germany is the most cruel, the
most resourceful, and the most eff
cient government that ever existed
She is holding today hundreds of thou
sands OF square miles of the territory
OF her enemies, large part of which
is the very garden spot Of Europe
and she has millions of deported Bel
CLANS and other prisoners Of war cul
tivating for her this vast area in ad
dition 10 her own soil,
Germany Is not yet beaten. She
would like TO have us think so-it is
no doubt, part of her plan, and tc
defeat Germany may take months OF
years, but do it we must, or GOD
help US.
"If the kaiser can crush France
before we get in what hope will We
have? II Germany should win, the
English feet, which has been oul
protection for many years, would
pass to Germany as a trophy of the
war. Then the kaiser would rule the
seas. Let us realize fully the dan
gers before US and let us stand witt
our government and get ready ant
be ready for whatever service be
comes necessary in this conflict.
THE President has been giveI
land with popular approyaD more
power than was ever lodged with an!
man at any time by free people.
seemed necessary TO do this If promp
and efficient aid is TO be given GU,
allies. The people will hold the Pres
ident accountable for the use o.
abuse Of this power, but without cen
Trailing authority we cannot hope Il
win this war
AT this writing 1t is entirely cleal
that our greatest need will be trained
men, Tor the unframed men in modern
warfare are practically useless.
without training an army is mere
ly an organized mob. Every DO!
should be given in school thorough
physical training on military lines.
THE ideal plan is that worked
out by Capt. Steever and known al
the Wyoming plan. Many high schools
have adopted 1t and all should do So
THE Boy Scouts is splendid or
ganization and doing wonderful wori
in developing strong, manly, self-re
specting boys, but beyond all these
and by every token the most impor
tant Is intensive and compulsory uni