Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-06

at all amazing to see new alignment
Of forces before the present war is
over. Germany and Japan are not
swapping very hard at each other.
Japan is arraigned on the other side
from Germany but an alliance be-
tween Germany and Japan is much
more logical tan many of the alli-
ances which have been formed. That
would make a new triple alliance
Germany, Japan and Russia. The
latter two might agree to preside over
Chinas destinies and Germany might,
after all, get the Philippine islands
which she was arranging to buy from
Spain when Admiral Dewey stopped
the negotiations by the battle of Man
liza bay. Germany was ready to pay
cash for the islands at that time and
actually had her warships there ready
to take possession. Just imagine
what combination Germany, Russia
and Japan would make. There
wouldn't be any starving them out
and hunger seems to be the only weap-
on at present which Germany need
fear If such combination was work
ed out-what would it mean for this
government?
Americans, wake up. Don't blind
yourself to your dangers. Don't let
the pacifist sirens lure you to destruc-
ton. Submit to dash of cold water
in your face. Wake up from the beau
tiful dreams of peace and realize that
you live in world of fact, not fancy.
God helps those who help them
selves. 1t would be moral crime for
this nation to permit the overthrow of
occidental civilization and of Chris
tianity. Throw off your rich mantle,
grid up your loins and take mans
part in the events that are shaping the
history of the world and the fate OF
civilization.
A mans part In this war consists
not only in enunciating high prin-
ciples but in being able to enforce
them. This is not an editorial advo-
eating war with Germany. The SQUAD
BILE over whether or not we shall be
permitted to sail on ships of belliger-
ent nations is of little consequence be-
side the crises that will confront us
when the war is little further along
or when we actually get into it, or
when time to settle up comes.
This is an editorial designed to call
attention to our present inability to
play a mans part-inability through
military and economic weaknesses.
We have paper navy with skeleton
crews. We need strong navy. We
have a paper army with skeleton reg
iments. We need a strong army and
back of it we need millions of trained
men. We need an organization of our
industrial institutions so that if we
can get the men, we can furnish them
with the munitions. We need every
thing that goes to make up military
power. and we are listening to the
songs Of the sirens who are singing
the beautiful song Of brother love and
world peace.
Away with the sirens Avaunt,
false cry of brotherhood. Let's show
little love for our mothers and our
sisters and our children. Let's show
love for our country. Let's show a
willingness to help ourselves, instead
of putting the whole burden on God.
God helped the children of Israel
to the promised land, but they had to
make the effort to wade across the
River Jordan before he rolled back the
waters and gave them dry path.
This country must be ready to do
and dare In a righteous cause before
it has any right to turn to God for
succor.