Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-02

every effort to find the truth and to bring to bear
upon the truth all that we have Of courage and intel
hgence.
The issue Of peace continuation OF the war
which is hanging in the balance viii be decided
in the near future The most vital interests Of the
people Of the United states well as the peoples OF
the fighting nations are concerned with the decision
n there is 10 be peace the United states as the
richest and potentially the most powerful nation in
the world cannot it would in view Of the action
which the President took December 49, evade its
share Of the responsibility guaranteeing, either by
treaty alliance equally binding form OF agree
ment. that the peace viii be permanent
t. is doubtful whether we could have eyaded this
responsibility II the President had not initiated peace
proposals without at the time pleading guilty TO
a degree of selhshness and cowardice which would be
incompatible with the sef-rospect and dignity OF
people worthy OF the smallest place in the great
family Of nations.
So then when we look at the peace side Of the
shield we see the United States occupying position
which represents complete reversal Of the funda-
mental policies which have guided It in respect of its
relations with the other nations during the 40 years
Of its life independent nation
The future OF our country will bound up with the
future OF every other country II is not too much 10
say that this will be the most momentous event in the
development OF our national life-an event fraught
with the most tremendous possibilities for good or
+ evil to every man. and child and TO the unborn
generations.
What about the other side OF the sheld-the war
side? Great Britain and her allies have decRed to re-
iect the German peace conference proposal and the
war will continue uninterruptedly The probabilities
are equally strong that from the war will be
waged al least on the German side with greater ygor
and ferocity and with less regard for international
law and the rights OF neutral nations .han before.
Each side will realize that the must be fought
Ia the hitter end TO knockout as Lloyd George has
said
Under the conditions which will rapidly develop moi
only in the continental battle fronts but e'so the
sea Il would seem that nothing short of the most care
full statesmanshp can keep the United States and Tho
other neutral nations in the position of neutrality
which they have occupied during the past twentynn'
months with the greatest difficulty That will be es
peoiaIly true if Germany is intmated, returns
20 its policy Of submarine frightfulness.
Far be il from to unnecessarily alarm our peace
loving readers. But would be failing in our dut,
If we did not do part TO bring them 10 realiza
ton OF the serious events which not only be- bu
probably impending
Probably nothing that any OF all OF us can d
can in the slightest degree change the OF hes
events.
hut the questions which these events going t
force upon the citizens of this republic for deciso
are OF such supreme importance, that those OF VIII
fail take advantage OF every opportunity to nforI
ourselves Of what is going in the world, and 81
significance in relation to America. Sinking on
responsibilities.