Evening journal., 1917-09-15
PAC.FSTS Called
TRAITORS By ROOT
Munition Strike AgitatorS
and Anti-Drait Speakers
Denounced
SAYS DEMOCRACY
IS AT STAKE NOW


kho were traitors to the government
In defining the attitude OF citizens
pward tho conduct OF tho war and
accidentally what constituted being
haator Blihu Root said: The declar-
alton OF war between the United States
md Germany completely changed the
relalaons Of all inhabitants OF the
country TO the subject OF peace and
Sar.
Before the declaration everybody
Dad a right to discuss whether the
United STATES. ellould carry ON war
against Germany. But the question OF
peace or war has now been decided
BY the President and Congress, not
suddenly or rashly but advlsedly, af-
YER long delay and discussion: with
patience under provOcatlon. after re-
peated diplomatic warnings to Ger
many known TO the whole country.
when such a decision has been
made tho dutes-and therefore the
rights-of all the people Of the coun-
try Immediately change. II becomes
their duty to stop discussion upon
the question decided and TO act, to
. proceed immed ately 10 do everything
III IHtAl UOMEI W tnnUAo AnN aNNNAAT
n1ent of their country TO succeed IN
the war upon which the country has
entered.
"A nation which declares war and
goes on discussing whether Il ought
10 have declared war or not is i'm
potent. A democracy which cannot
accept its own decisions, made in
accordance with is own laws, but
must keep on endlessly discussing
the question already decided, has
failed in the fundamental require
ments Of self-government. aud If the
decision is to make war the failure
TO exhibit capacity for self-govern-
ment by action will Inevitably result
IN the loss OF the right Of self-gov-
ernment.
But after the decision I'm favor of
war the country has ranged Itself,
and the only issue left for the in
dividual citizen is whether ne is for
or against his country. From thai
time on arguments against the war
IN which the country is engaged are
enemy arguments. Their 'pirit Is
the spirit Of rebellion against tho
Government and laws OF the United
States.
arguments Au NtfhhulN.
"The men who are speaking and
writing and printing arguments against
the war now. and against everything
that is being done to carry on the war
are rendering more effective service e
Germany than they could render In Tho
field. The purpose and effect OF wha
they are doing Is so plain that IL Il i'm
possible 10 resist the conclusion thu
the greater part Of them erc at hear
traitors 20 the United states, and VII
fully Nseeklng 20 bring about thl
triumph Of Germany and the humllia
ti0n and defeat OF their own country.
"The same principles apply to tn
decision OF numerous questions whicl
arise in carrying on the war. Any at
tempt TO discourage volunteering, or &
oppose cOnscriptiOn is an attempt &
hinder and embsrrass the Governmen
OF the United states In the cOnduc
OF the war and TO help Germany by pre-
venting our Government from raisin
srmies-to fight against her.
Somebody has to decide wher
armies are TO fight. The power Z
make that decision and the duty I
make Il rest under the Constitution
Wlln LLlt IItnAuEMN as
chief Anybody who seeks 20 stop tn
execution OF the order sending troop
70 France and Belgium IS simply try
ing 20 prevent the American go'
Nernment from carrying on the wa
successfully. He is aiding the enemie
OF his country, and If he understand
what he is doing he IS a traitor q
heart.
1T is beyond doubt that many {
she professed paciffsts, the opponent
of the war after the war has bee
entered upon, the men who are tT.
ng to stir up resistance to the dmf
the men who are inciting strik,
In the particular branches OF produ
tion which are necessary for the su
ply of arms and munitions OF war. al
Intentionally seeking to aid German
and defeat tho United States.
time goes on and the character !
these acts becomes more clear
manifest, all who continue TO ass
ciate with them must come under Il
same condemnation as traitors
their country.
Sacrifice Is Needed.
"There are doubtless some who {
not understand what this strugg
really Is. Some who were born hel
resent interference with their comic
and prosperity and fail TO see that q
time has come when, if Americans a
10 keep the Independence and liber
which their fathers won by sufferll
and sacrifice, they, in their turn. mu
nsht again for the preservation Of III
independence and thN liberty. The
are some born abroad who have con
% this land for greater freedom al
foader opportunities. who are sway
by dislike for some ally or by the syI
pathies Of German klnship, aud fail
see that the time has como for the
10 make good their obligations Of ih'
sworn oaths Of naturalization.
"All these naluralized citizens W
nre taking part in this obstruction
the government in the conduct Of {
war are false to their oaths, are I,
felting their rights OF citizenship. Q
repudiating their honorable obligation
are requiting by evil the good that
been done them in the generous a
unstinted hospitality with which
people Of the United States have w
coined them to the liberty and the {
portunltles of this free land. We mi
believe that in many cases this Is do
because Of failure to understand wi
this war really is.
"This Is a war OF defense. 10 is p
fectly described in the words Of
Constitution which established this
tIon-'tO provide for the common
fence, and TO secure the blessings
81 liberty TO ourselves and our posteri