Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-03-29
E D @ r | A L
EUROPE AND DEMOCRACY.

1t is held by some-and at the outbreak of the war The
Saturday News suggested the possibility OF lt-that kalser
Wilhelm was spurred on to declare war because Of the obvious
growth Of the spirit of democracy throughout his realm ana
1t is not contended that democracy was the principal fac
tor, perhaps, but that it was an element contributing to the
Successful war by Germany would not only place the
German emperor upon the pinnacle OF anne, sending SCI the e name
of Wilhelm laundering down the ages, but 1t would squelch
the development Of democracy in a country where autocracy
in the form Of militarism is supreme.
But the present indications are that the war will not result
in such German success as the kaiser had hoped for at the
beginning. The spirit of democracy seems to have grown,
even in Germany, during the war. Public consciousness is
awakening to the trend Of events, and there are men in Ger
many who, within the past few weeks, have dared to suggest
the abdication Of the emperor. ~
Autocracy in Russia has already been overthrow. The
half German car and the German sympathlzers surrounding
him have been RELOCATED to the rear.
Russia is yet far from popular government. 1t is still an
autocracy--but it's a different sort Of autocracy. It's an
autocracy that, under wise guidance and a reasonably success
full termination of the war, is likely to develop into democratic
government, republican in form.
England for generations has been a monarchy only in
name. 1t is as democratic as is America-even more so. It's
central government is more responsive to public opinion than
is the American government.
peace of the world depend upon the substitution of democracy
for autocracy throughout Europe.
Autocracy means miHtarism. Miliarism means war. 1t
has been SO throughout all the written history of the universe
Militarism will continue to mean war for all time. 1t invites
war. Tt precapitates war.
Hence, miitarism must go, for mnitarism and autocracy
are akin. Autocracy cannot survive without militarism, which
Hence, Emperor Wilhelm must so. The Turkish crown
must go. All fhesoother crowns representing autocfacy must
So #odiSCy iOroo@ uIoi G 8ShioO aSJ. ihS# WIN y
safety lies in democracy.
The United States of America will be dereliet if it fails,
in the final settlement Of the war, to insist upon the dethrone-
ment Of autocracy. In no other way can fuure wars be averted,
In no other way can the peoples of the earth be freed from
the curse of miitarism.
This titanic struggle will have been in vain if it does not
result in the suppression Of miitarism.
An adequate censorship should follow the opening of hos
tilities between this country and Germany. Too many of the
newspapers confound liberty with license. It is not liberty to
print information that, directly or indirectly, affords the en-
envy opportunities to strike heavier blows. Its treason. For
the liberty Of the press-yes, always! For the free license of
the press-no, never! Men who insist upon the liberty OF
license should have their publications suppressed and should
themselves be thrown into jail!
We believe in militarism-when war is forced upon US
We believe in preparation for defense. But we also believe
in the absolute dethronement Of miitarism-hoofs, horns, ano
all. Miitarism is what brought on the European war. Mill
tarlsm is what is drawing us into the maelstrom. Let's have
the sort of m~ilitarisIn, during the balance of this European
war, that will overthrow autocracy, Of which miitarism con
stitutes the backbone.
And 50 the great trusts, with young Morgan at the head, are try
ing to control the newspapers of the land and think they're doing
itt More than ever, the weekly press needs to wake up!