Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-15

but this instance would suffice to show the
hostile and treacherous purpose which Germany
held for us, even while were at peace with her
The idea of invading the United States is not
mere scheme of Prussian diplomatists 1t is
now. and before severance of relations
with Berlin, rooted purpose in the mind of the
German army Months ago, when the Government
at Berlin still professed a desire for peace with
our country the Allies captured in German
trenches flags which bore the inscription:
This year Paris; year, London; the
year after, America"
The people of the United States, loving peace and
fair play they always have, could not bring
themselves to believe that European Power
would attack them from sheer avarice and ambi-
ton to domineer. No did the majority of
people of England believe, before the outbreak of
the war. that Germany would plunge Europe in
blood merely to safe the Hohenzollern greed for
power and gold. No did Belgium believe
that her fair fields and innocent people would be
pillaged and slaughtered without shadow of rea-
son or Justice But at last America, in common
with the world. is awake to what Germany really
is and really has been for forty years
We know now that for decades past she has
been schemfng and arming for her murderous ad-
venture. We see that her military special
lists not writing fancifully but altogether In
earnest when they mapped out plans for captur-
ing our ports and pressing swiftly inland before
we could muster an army for defense. We under
stand her insolence and thnly yelled hostility to-
ward us during war with Spain. We grasp
the broader meaning of the network of spies she
about industries and Governmental
offices in advance of the European war. We see
that her plot to array Mexico and Japan against
USE while she still professed peaceful Intentions
merely link in her long chain of intrigue
and perf1dy We know that when her soldiers
inscribed upon their banners, This year, Paris;
next year, London the year after, America" they
proclaiming the purpose that always had
been in their rulers minds. We know, in short
that even before became involved in war with
Germany she had marked US for spoils, and that.
If she out of the present victorious
unconquered she will rest until her how
itzers are laundering at our gates and her savage
cruelty is loosened against people
Knowing these things, should be fools as
well towards to stand aloof from the struggle
in France. Even though we felt no duty to democ-
racy's cause and had no heart for humanity we
still should be spurred by every instinct of self
defense and self-preservation to strike at our
murderous enemy before he strike fully at
us. We must wage the other side of the
Atlantic or it will be waged on this side We
must fight shoulder to shoulder with our brothers
in democracy, whose blood has been our bulwark
against German fury, or fight friendless and
alone We must fight with all our strength and
soul to win this for justice and enduring
peace or steel ourselves to a savage and terrible
future.
Hence the wisdom and the necessity of
sending troops to France where the battles that
shape our destiny we'll Europe's being
fought, and where the issue is trembling in the
balance. And hence the supreme duty of every
American who loves his country and his home to
uphold the Government by every at his
command, but particularly at the present juno
ture, by buying Liberty bonds and thus doing his
loyal, personal part TO support our defenders at
the front.