The Detroit times., 1917-06-07
The People Will Wake to
the Seriousness of War
When Congress Wakes Up

We found this headline over an lteI
in newspaper relating that the Cham
Der Of Commerce Of the United state:
has sent a message 10 the president
asking him to arouse the people TO tho
truth and a sense of their danger
The Chamber Of Commerce, along
with many government officials alona
with many newspapers and along with
many observing men in private life, Is
alarmed by the apathetic manner OF tht
peopl, Of our country.
They are at loss 10 understand the
matter-of-fact attitude Of so many q
the citizenship, in view of the crisis tney
face with the nation
There is no gainsaying this apathy
There is nothing to do but admit i ana
to get busy finding the cause for i just
as quickly as We can.
The sooner the cause IS found, the
sooner can the condition be ren}edied it
the United States is to meet its heavy
responsibility with chances brightest Tor
the successful discharge Of that respon-
sibility.
Preparations by the nation should be
speeded up. the Chamber Of Commerce
declares, for the life and death reason
that the United States may be called
upon TO stand the brunt of the war.
Five contingencies are named upon
which this possibility could become
fact
If Russia should collapse.
If the English feet be overcome.
If the food situation should bring our
Allies to their knees
If great reverses should be met on the
western front.
If the submarine menace be not
checked.
Despite the situation, the United
States, clearly, is not excited.
1t is not flushed. like one in a mood to
fight
There is no anger apparent in the
public voice.
The country is NOT IN A FIGHTING
SPIRIT.
The Times has two reasons to advance /
explaining why these things are facts.
The reasons are Business and Con
gress."
1t would have been fine for all con-
cerned if war could have come and the
country enjoyed business as usual, ,
which business invited, but the time has
come to admit that the raising Of that
cry was a mistake and that it Is one Of
the things responsible for the dampening
of the national ardor.
The man who is to take the firing line
does not relish exactly the spectacle Of
himself being asked to make the great
sacrifice while business is pleading that
it be spared from any sacrifice at ALL
The Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States realizes that this was
mistake. 1t declares that business in
wartime is not as usual
1t was perfectly proper to advise the
people against false economy. which
kind Of economy is unwise at any time
and more unwise when country is at
war
1t was perfectly proper to advise the
people that an unwise economy would
mean the paralyzing of industries giving
men employment and that the country
would suffer at home from such a condi-
tion.
Business as near as possible would
have been a better slogan.
It was somewhat of an affront to the
intelligence of the average man to try
to make him believe that war puts no
additional tax on his dollar and does not
decrease its purchasing value.
We can all Join with more heart in
program that viii exact from business
the LEAST sacrifice.
Business rs near as usual as possi-
BILE sounds better
1t has more Of tendency 10 keep the
either reminded that his country is at
war than a movement does which aims
at no interruption whatever
We have not the slightest doubt that
the people viii be found fully awake to
the nations peril when they find con-