The Washington herald., 1917-04-06
"a State Of War" !"

. IN state OF war with Germany.
1t has been an august spectacle,
this Of democracy drawing its sword
in defense not only of its right and
honor, but in yindication of the prin-
ciple and foundation upon which it
rests. No heat OF temper, no chariot
of glory and conquest sweeping
across the national mind, no mill
tarism to confuse its counsel.
America is acting now on proved,
demonstrated area of fact. 1t knows
what Prussianism is. The knowledge
I.has not been gained at second hand.
1t is the testimony of OUR own minds.
Wiien France and Britain knew the
frst blaze Of passion over the un-
speakable crime of Belgium, our ma
ton throbbed in sympathy, but held
aloof, subordinating the dictates of
its heart to those of its head. When
the Lusitania sinking came our eyes
were open, and we forced Germany
to retreat rather than risk rupture
with us. But we knew then what the
Prussian held ii his heart, we knew
the poison potion he would admins
ter to the free people of the world if
| he could.
Since that time the American gov
ernment has been engaged in determ-
lining, in the terms, almost, of math-
ematical formula, what the Prussian
! idea really is, and what it means to
the world The President did not
act until he had a complete case. The
righteous passions stirred by the
early crimes of Germany did not
drive his mind from its habitual and
normal course" but led him to amass
the data on which he based "the most
terrific indictment ever returned
against any modern government" in
his address to Congress last Mon
day. That indictment gained in ma
jestic, overpowering force because
ii was devoid OF every trick of drama,
every color of passion, every sug-
gestion of impulse. 1t had, as Gov
Mccall, Of Massachusetts,, says, the
finality of an arraignment by civiliza-
tion itself against Germany"
About that authentic statement OF
the case America has rallied. There
was sputter of opposition in the
Senate; a free discussion in the
House. But the unity Of the nation
has been emphasized. 1t is doubtful
if it has seen such unity in its his
tory; certainly not since the civil war
tore it asunder.
Swiftly the days. of sacrifice, of
reckoning, will come now that we
have crossed the bridge and burned
it behind US. All citizens will be
face to face with their obligation to
the country. Some of them in few
months will be in training camps
preparing for possible service in the
trenches of France and Flanders. The
army bill is based upon the princi-
pie of "selectivc conscription," and
ugly as the last word is to millions
of peace-loving Americans, it is
recognized as being the best solu-
ton of our present military problem.
Perhaps the Presidents phrase, "uni-
versal liability" is better attuned to
the American ear than the other one
suggestive of the draft.
But it is not the prospect of these
new armies of one and possibly two
million men, added to the ranks of
its enemies, that will most alarm
Germany. 1t is the prospect of
American industrial efficiency, plus
the limitless resources of the country,
thrown into the lap of the entente,
that spells the doom of the central
empires. There is little doubt that
the autocracy has the first dim glim-
mcrings of the fact that its fight
henceforth is hopeless. 1t is fighting
now, not to victory, but to reach the
day when it can appeal most effect
lively to the world of its enemies for
forgiveness, pardon, and chance to
come back" 1t will appeal particu-
larly to America. But the President
has said that autocracy and Hofen-
zollernism must go, and we believe he
will act in concert with our new
allies in seeing that the pledge is
kept.