South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-23
TELLS WHY WE
ARE At WAR
Atty. c. w. Bingham First Of
FOur-Minute Men to
Speak Here.

Speaking as a member Of the or
ganizauon known as the four min
ute men. C.. ". Bingham OF this
city addressed the audiences of both
the Lincoln and Temple theaters
Wednesday evening upon the sub
jec: Of why We Are Fighting"
The fOur-minute men organization
is in existence under the authority
and representing the committee Of
public information, OF which the ma
tional news censor. George Creel. is
the chairman. The committee was
created by the executive warrant Of
Pres't Wilson for the purpose Of hav-
ing conveyed 20 the public from
time 70 time such Information and
news as the administration feels they
should know. The organization CON
sists Of speakers In different cOmmu-
mites throughout the entire nation,
whose duty IL is TO address moving
picture audiences in fOur-minute
talks upon subjects Of public inter
est and importance.
In this county the county council
of defense has turned the work Of
the four minute men over 10 the
University club and William W.
Dodge is the Mishawaka member Of
the committee in charge OF this
work He will be assisted by differ
ent local speakers from time 20 time
when occasion demands.
Mr. Bingham's Remarks.
Mr. Bingham said in part.
IF II were not for the fact that
I have already offered my services
10 the government in "A military
way and had been rejected by the
military authorities. / would not feel
that j had a right 10 appear before
YOU in such a work, but I'm view of
the fact that 7 have been rejected
for military service I feel it entirely
proper that 7 do whatever I may be
able TO In this or any other man
ner in aiding the cause. IL is my
privilege to speak TO you for four
minutes upon the subject of Why
We Are FightinE|
of you are going down the street
and your neighbor strikes you, what
happens He is punished for the
offense. n I strike YOU. what hap
pens2 7 am arrested and punished
for my misconduct. AS individuals,
we are governed in our conduct by
certain laws. SO it has been with
nations. Prior 10 the beginning of
this present world war IL was the
belief OF men that nations, like per
sons. were governed by certain
rules. known as international law.
Conditions Become Unbearable.
Al rnraruH
ers OF the German empire have vio-
lated and wilfuily disregarded the
rules of international law. They vi
plated the neutrality of Belgium;
they sunk the Sussex, they sent the
IusitanIa 70 the bottom or the
ocean. laden with innocent men,
women and children; they refused us
the freedom Of the seas; with the
submarine they sunk our ships laden
with our merchandise and with limo
cent Americans. For more than two
years the government OF the United
states avoided an open break with
Germany. We attempted 20 overlook
their violations of the law Of ma
lions and their infringement OF our
rights till conditions became unbear-
able and IL became necessary for us
TO engage IN the conflict.
Now that we are i'm the war. what
is % he the result a victory for
Germany and the central powers
means a victory for judaism, mill
tarism and that theory Of govern
ment that believes i'm the divine right
OF kings Il means a government
that believes in the right Of might
and believes that the end justiies