The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1917-02-16
WHAT IS "PEAcE7"

We are all talking peace or war these
days. We all are strongly in favor OF
peace. No sensible person wants war.
Sometimes it is lnsinuated that certain
manufacturers Of war supplies desire
war because they are making money.
That is possibly true in some individuals.
but the number must be very few. Com.
paratively speaking, there are but few
persons that are making any money out
Of the war, and certainly not enough to
make any special influence on public
sentiment.
But, though we all say "peace" do we
all mean the same thing? Is it not a
fact that every man whose blood runs
I'D will fight if sufficiently provoked?
Isn't it q fact that self-defense or self.
preservation is the first law of natures
lsn't 1t fact that a man will fight more
bravely and readily for his family or for
his country than he would for HIMSELF
But all that does not necessarily mean
that every man or that any man wants
to fight Fighting is neither comfort
able or pleasant Most men prefer com-
fort and pleasure. Hence practically all
men desire peace rather than war.
But war, or peace, whether between
individuals or nations are not matters OF
choice at all times. We have seen in
this world war, nations dragged into the
terrible maelstrom in spite of themselves.
Very few of the men that are fighting in
Europe are there because they prefer
the battlefield to their own peaceful
homes. In actual sentiment they are all
more favorable to peace than even some
of our own American citizens who favor
peace strongly because-they-tear war.
But even these peaceful American citi.
zens would hardly turn the other cheek
it they got thump on the nose-per.
sonaly.
The real question of the hour is not
what we desire but "Where we are at
Not how we got here but where are W.,
and how shall we get out? There is
now no longer question as to our criti-
cal position. We all want to get out as
easily and peacefully as we can, but the
means may not be matter of our own
choosing.
A year ago this country rightly or
wrongly, took certain stand in the
name of common humanity as to the
sinking of merchant vessels without
warning We said in effect, that this
country would not stand for it. That if
Germany continued such warfare as re-
suited in the sinking of the "Lusltana"
and the 'tSussex" that we would take all
necessary means that we had to protect
the lives of our citizens. On the first of
this month, Germany warned this
country that she proposed to continue
the ruthless submarine warfare" and
would sink all ships of any nation found
within the "war zone about the British
Isles and France.
Thus we have clear issue. We said
what we would do and Germany now
says what she proposes to do.
AS an American citizen what do you
propose to do?
You may say that you want peace.
So say all of us. But when you say
"peace" what do you mean by peace?
Do you mean that you are willing that
Germany shall sink American and other
neutral ships without warningf Doyou
mean that you prefer peace to the pro-
lection by force of sailors and non-com-
Blatant passengers drowned without an
opportunity of escape, because Germany
and the British are fighting each otherf
Do you mean by your sort ofpeace the
complete backdown of the President and
this great nation from clear expressed
statement; containing a sentiment that
has been applauded by all Christendom
except Germany and it's alliesf
/ And if you favor such acowardly back
down what then? Do you favor this
nation accepting any and all assumptions
and commands of the warning powers
rather than take up arms to defend, our
own unquestioned rights?
Don't you see. Mr.. Peacemsn, that
there are limits to which even you would
favor war rather than peace?
Hence, when we are discussing the
1question of peace or war the real ques.
ton just now is, does the present issue
Justify the taking Of measures Of defense
against the advertised intentions Of Ger.
many2 That is what the peace question
means now. >,sg
Was the President right in declaring
that we would protect our cltizens3
Shall we back him up in earring out
that statement
Is peace preferable to honor?
Is it possible that We can trade honor
for peacei
Will tho shrieks Of the innocsnt that