Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-10-19

tnOuSnC ana StrlV1nRS constantly are
for peace. Every sane man or wom-
an in the world-save the youth, per-
haps, fired with military ardor, or
unholy profiteers-is for peace. 1t
is the burden of the prayers and sup
plications of all the world and the
burden of most of the energies.
Every step he takes is a peace step;
for the war he is waging has the
lasting security of the world for it's
ultimate.
Let us consider his position in this
matter and thus disclose his para
mountcy. BY their own frank adj
missions, by the military situation,
by the economic necessities, by all
! the facts, the assistance of the
United State was vital to the allies
vital. Not merely satisfactory and
grateful, but vital! The president of
the United States, as the head and
leader of this country, was the one
man who could bring to the support
of the allies the material aid as we'll
as the moral support they needed to
assure them of victory. No one else
in the world could do it. Do you
imagine that the president of the
United States did not know this as
we'll as the allies-or better? He
did. And do you think that, know
ing this, realizing to the fullest the
position his country stood and stands
in as a factor in this war, do you
think for a moment that the presi-
dent did not demand and receive the
fullest and most binding assurances
and certitudes of the position and
power this country would assume
and maintain, not only in the war
but in the peace negotiations? Do
you think this country is in the posi-
ton of being tail to the kite of the
allies? If you do, dismiss the thought
from your mind. The president of
the United States did not allow his
country to be relegated to a second
airy position. He demanded and re-
ceived the power of decision.
This war may last one year-two
years-three years. do not know.
Nobody knows. One mans conjec-
ture is as. acceptable as another's.
There is good authority for saying
that, unles there is in sight, by the
end Of this year or sooner, something
| 20 OSh vxyh
may be based, the probabilities are
that the war will last for year or
two; perhaps longer. Whether there
will be a definite peace trend by the
end of this year is also matter Of
conjecture. 1t is expected in some
places-that is certain; but the ex-
pectation is based largely on hope
rather than information. The peace
trend may develop at any moment.
or 1t may not come at all.
President and People.
Whether or not, 1t il apparent
that, stripped OF all nonessentials,
the three outstanding war facts in
this country and in the world are
that President Wilson is the most
important man in the world, from
both a war and peace viewpoint;
that the chief disturbing war factor
is the submarine; and that the great
est, incomparably the greatest. war
need is ships.
Il U,,vxhovv,ovo ho,e 81
first admitting all our blunders, mis-
takes. stupidities, delays that were
criminal and maladministrations
that we're inexcusable, ell our back
ing and filing. all our wronghead-
edness and Grass ignorance, all our
overzeal and meticulous caution, all
our extravagances where close buy
ing was essential and Our penurious-
ness where liberality was needed, all
our lacks and all our weaknesses.
admitting all these, / am here to say,
regardless Of the wormhole critics,
the traitors who cover their treasons
with the yelp for free speech. the
senatorial obstructurs, the carpers,
the self-seekers, the demagogues, the
tricksters, the peace-at-any-price de-
fectives. the seditious press. the
vcaly essayists, the PROFESSIONAL the
orits--regardless of them all, that in
the mass, in the great way country
like ours moves, in the large meas
ure no American need feel either
concerned or ashamed over what has
been done, of what is being done, of
the progress made and the results
accomplished; or of the future pros
poets
Entirely sensible of the fact that
the president is neither omniscient
nor omnipotent. and that he is en-
tirely human and subject to human
limitations, his own temperamental
stresses. and his official inhibitions;
quite we'll aware that a democracy is
tho noorpSt pf war m q l.arc apJ ~ bo