Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-29
Our War.

tertained it, the idea that this is war in which
merely helping the Allies rather than
fighting in defense. For us, it is no
longer a of the Entente against the Central
Empires; 1t is a of the United States against
Germany. And it is a for the protection or
American rights and American homes just as
truly though the Kaisers legions were p1llag1ng
our fields and burning our towns.
1t happens that practical interests and
guiding principles largely identical with those
of the Allies. England, France, Russia and Italy
are democracies and are spending their Hfeblood
to defeat ruthless autocracy. They stand, as we
stand for civilization against Prussan barbarity,
for humanity against the Huns Their enemy is
enemy, and for nearly three years their ships
and soldiers have been bulwark. We cannot
fight effectively unless we fight shoulder to shout
der with them. We cannot keep the war from
this side of the Atlantic unless win it on the
other side. Therefore, are we cooperating with
the Allies and the literally cooperate,
the better will itbe for America and for the world
But concerned the less vitality,
none the less individually because hold these
interests and principles in common with the free
nations of Europe If any or if all of those ma
lions should be beaten out of the arena or COM
PEELED to accept an inconcusive peace, would
go fighting, single-handed If need be- to settle
for ourselves the Iife-and-death issue which Ger
many flung before Our of security and
honor would allow other course; nor would
Prussian miliarism allow any other course.
Germany to be sure, would be willing enough to
make patched-up peace with the United States.
But it would last longer than she could rein
force her army and trim her sails for the trans
atlantic adventure of which she has long
dreamed. Soon or late we must to grips
with the Hohenzollerns. There is not room enough
in one world for the Divine Right of Kings and
Of Ind tho
tyrannies and brutalities for which the German
monarchy stands must be blotted out, human
freedom and human kindness will perish from the
earth.
If, then our allies should be forced from the
field by triumph of the submarine by any
other event hardly conceivable, could but
grid ourselves the more stanchy and fight
The length of such a struggle cannot be estimated,
it's bitterness cannot be imagined. If the Ger
man navy, which at the beginning of the present
war was much stronger than ours, should win
substantial victory, shores would be open to
invasion. And let us nurse no illusion that such
invasion is impossible that, under way,
it would be any less savage and less hideous than
the invasion of Belgium and France. Long be-
fore the summer of 1914 Germanys plans for
America carefully laid Her militarists boast
that they know much about United States de-
lenses do and navy departments For
years her system of espionage, worldwide and
utterly INSCRIPTIONS, has been coiling in and out
of most secret affairs. This country
swarming with the Kaiser's spies and agents when
he precipitated the European war, and they are
still amongst us.
Through them and their hired gangs, Germany
in the earliest stages of the conflict began waging
upon American industry and commerce. on
soil, we'll the high seas. Man
ufacturing plants were burned, bridges were dyna-
mited, bombs were placed in outgoing ships,
divers attempts made to stir up sedition and
anarchy in foreign-boTn population and for
more than two years, while were doing our
utmost to keep peace with the Central Powers,
virtual conspiracy conducted against the
Government and people of the United States-all
at the instance of German authorities and largely
through the office of the German ambassador at
Washington. In principle Germany already has
invaded country; and she would have ven
tured to invade it in reality, if Mexico and japan
had fallen in with her plot. Long before we sew
cred diplomatic relations with Berlin the Kaiser
was Staying our citizens the high seas-show-
ing respect for our rights as neutral
than he showed for Belgium's, no more humanity
toward American women and children than to-
ward the innocents of France whom he has saugh-
tered like another Herod.
Let us, then, undeceive ourselves if ever we
considered our part and duty in the war as that
of simply aiding the Allies. This is Americas war
much it is England's Frances. Hohen-
zollern Germany has forced us into the combat
and shall secure until we have
crushed Hohenzoern Germany beyond possibility
of future harm. 1t behooves u.s. therefore, to mus
ter all the heart and will and power in the ma
tons life, remembering that we have entered
upon a mission from which cannot turn back
matter how long it may be or how bitter.
Norway is now reported breaking with
Germany. But Norway is probably too near to
break.