The Glenwood post., 1917-06-02
AMERICA DESTINED TO
CARRY BURDEN OF WAR

81 believe now that the conscription
bill is passed we can all feel somewhat
easier, although the news that comes
from Europe is extremely disquieting.
l fully expect America is destined to
carry large share of the burden of
this war, unless it is to end disastrous
ly for the allies. In that case, she
would have to carry the entire burden
of war all her own, and the outcome
of such war no man could fOretell.
All of US here feel desperately anxious
that Washington should adopt vigorous
means without further delay .'
The above is an extract from let
ter, recently received from Mr.. John
Purroy Mitchell, mayor of New York
City, giving his views on the war sit
uation. His words should be read and
pondered upon by every citizen, for,
occupying, as he does, the second
greatest executive position in the
United States, he speaks with autho-i-
ty and from knowledge of facts. Mr..
Mitchell is not an alarmist, but
straight thinking, forward looking, mil
liant American, who believes that the
only way to meet situation is to look
it squarely in the face. When he says,
81 fully expect that America is des-
tined to carry a large share Of the
burden of the war unless it is to end
disastrously for the allies. In that
case She would have to carry the bur
den of war all her own, and the out
come of such war no man could fore
tell,'' he is voicing views which should
arouse every thinking man to the grav-
ity of the situation.
1t is a natural instinct to look at
situation as we would like to have it
rather than as it actually is, and for
months we have been looking for the
breakdown of the central powers be-
cause of food shortage or through
internal disintegration. But when a
few weeks ago, on his return from Bel
GUM, Mr.. Hoover, than whom there is
|
German people would suffer no serious
food shortage and that they are loyal
to the kaiser, we were panied and sur
prised, and now Mr.. Penfield, who Just
returned from Austria, where he rep
resented the United States as ambassa-
dor, tells us that conditions in thai
country are not as bad as might be
expected that "there is no starva-
tion but great deal of deprivation,
and that "the morale Of the people in
Austria Hungary is good.' So the
sooner we dismiss the starvation -
and revolution dream from our
minds the more clearly will We appre-
ciate the magnitude of the task before
us and the better will We be prepared
to meet and master it.
There is no place in the present sit
uation save for cold, hard facts. The
Prussiap military machine is not beat
en-. The people of the central powers
are not starving. The danger Of revo-
luton is at present remote. With
Russia thoroughly demoralized and at
present negligible factor as fight
ing force--with the United States
wholly unprepared and unable to put
an effective army in the field for at
least nine months, with England and
France straining every nerve and
bringing up their last men for their
present splendid offensive, any one who
delVdes himself or attempts to delude
another as, to the true situation, is un-
consciously an enemy of his country.
What is true of the individual is
doubly true of the press.
This war must be won by prepond-
erance of men and material, and your
Uncle Sam will have to furnish them.
1t is our war in everything that the
term implies. Secretary Baker says
we, must prepare for three years of it.
Mr.. Hoover thinks it may go five. 1t
is grim job. 1t means sacrifice and
suffering to degree which no one can
now foresee. At the present time Cen
eral Apathy is our worst enemy. Let
us realize the situation and sternly face
that which is before US. When we fully
appreciate what we have done il is
half done, and the rest viii follow.
Once this country il thoroughly aroused
there can b. No deubt q 70, ~ sss-