Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-27
Our Part In the War.

Our Part In the War.
1t Is virtually foresons that Congress. upon con-
vening in special session week from tomorrow.
will declare that a state of exists between the
United States and Germany. That is the only course
consistent with truth and with the nations interest
and honor. After two years of unexsmpled patience
in the repeated insults and wrongs. we have
reached the point where forbearance ceasing to be
a virtue, becomes a danger and disgrace. The only
sort of peace now possible between Germany and
the United States would be the peace between
highwayman and his cringins victim. If
ready to abdicste rights and submit to the
ruthless destruction of American ships and Amer-
can lives IL content to take orders from Prus
sian despotism in it's onslaught upon Europe's de-
mocracies. then can keep sasy-gong, money
Erubbins peace. But we shall lose our eternal
1ewep-ths honor Of . nation that is brave and
free.
Thus forced into the war, shall owe 1t to our
selves and to mankind to strike the hardest, most
enectuaI blows We can. In neutrality. have been
Ienient and long suffering. in the hope that thus
could best the cause of civilization and human
ity. But in begerency. we shall be bound by no
less righteous purpose to make our strength felt to
tina utmost and thereby bring the to the speed
lest possible end War between the United States
and Germany will not be a paper II the United
IN ffs ttv md
ton 1t is true In a sense that this country is be-
yond Germanys reach and that Germany is beyond
our reach. But Germany's U-boat campaign-hsr
of frightfulness and last hope of
cess-is not beyond our reach. Nor Ia her land
power beyond reach IL throw the vast
strength of Americas financial industrial forces
back of the Allied legions in France.
1t is by these two means that strike most
enectuaI1y Talk of sending a great expedtionary
force to the western front appeals to the imagination
rather than the judgment. The time may come
when that will be advisable but this juno
ture is inexpedient IL impossible for the sim
pie that we have troops to send. Our reg
ular army Is altogether inadequate for home de-
tense. At least SIX or eight months would be re-
CURED to enlist and train and equip force large
That would be the slowest way could take to hurt
Germany and help the Allies, IT, indeed 1T would
not be the surest way to help Germany and hinder
the Allies; because divertng munitions and sup
plies from the Entente armies and peoples at this
crucial time should be doing the very thing which
Germany is trying to do through her Uboat cam
psign. Numbers of Americans, perhaps, will wish
to join their countrymen who are now enlisted.
some thirty thousand strong, in the French and
English armies on the western front. contingent
of that kind could be formed and could raise the
Stars and Stripes the Atlantic without ham
rering those productive processes which, together
- maritime strength, readiest and might
weapons. AS matter of course, the Govern
ment will be prompt to begin the mastering and
training Of an army that will be adequate for de-
Tense and capable Of expansion for whatever
Eencies may arise. And that is . field in which the
countrys patriotism can find abundant and efncient
expression.
For months to come however, II not for the
entire period OF the war, most formidable
of action will lie in combating the U-boat
campaign and in mastering our economic resources
into service Allies cause is our cause
as 1t LIS that of democracy and mankind What
great store Germany lays by her submarine adven-
ture h indicated by the fact that in order to press
1t without restraint she willing to hazard war