Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-22
MIGHTY BLOWS FOR PEACE

THE answer to peace talk, If not the
cause OF IL, is laundering out OF can
non mouths from the North Sea to the
Alps For the first time the Allies find
themselves in a position TO initiate and
carry on with magnificent efficiency not
only one but many vast offensives. They
are beginning to make their superiority
in men and artillery count They are
pressing the foe on many sides at once,
and it is a pressure of such violence
that abandonment of his trenches by the
enemy is in many instances reported, a
new style Of warfare being adopted by
him.
Just what the treason of czardom has
meant to the world is evident now. The
Allies had poured into Russia prodigious
quantities OF munitions and supplies
There was at last on the eastern 'front.'
adequate preparation. REINFORCED by
capable leadership. II, in these circum
stances, Russian nobility had remained
true to the cause and had not sought to
betray the people to the Kaiser, already
Germans and Austrians would be on the
defensive from Riga to the Carpathians
and the definite collapse Of militarism
would be clearly in sight. The end has
been postponed while the new Russia
makes ready her relnvigorated, and,
therefore, mightler armies. The high tide
Of Russian retreat and weakness has been
reached. Today her armies are the Con-
tinentals at Valley Forge; tomorrow they
will be the hosts about Yorktown.
This Is the state of affairs in Europe.
In the meantime. democracy is perform
ing her other great miracle in America.
Our armies, that were laughed at are in
process Of construction and at such a rate
that no question OF our ability to place
them at the front next spring any longer
exists. Our navy is doing It's share to
make the seas safe for democracy The
enormous wealth which has been piled up
In this country in the short centuries OF
its development measures up to all esti
mates in volume, and there is scarcely
nation on earth, from the Dutch East In.
dies to Mexico, that does not turn to us
for financial aid and succor. The i'm.
mense sums we have advanced already
are making themselves felt in the theatre
Of war. Desperate in her efforts to holu
back the forces already arrayed against
her. sure at last that Americas inter.
vention is to be a thunderbot and not a
slap on the wrist. militarism is writhing
and turning and twisting in mad effort
to get out Of its own trap. THE British
army is invincible," exlaimed LLOYD
George recently. The French army ia in.
vtncible, the Italian army appears to be
invincible. and, IL the temper of the men
being drafted and the new officers who
have Just returned from their training
camps Is any criterion. the American
army will be invincible. Civilization has
been making ready; the real fight has ,ust
begun.
Why, in such circumstances, com.
promise with militarism? It's cry for
peace is a cry for mercy uttered as the
rumbling Of the tumbril nears. Its talk
Of return to conditions ante bellunn is
a plea for release from the consequences
of its criminality. The war lords under.
rate. however, the deliberate purpose of
the Allies. The great democracies and
liberal nations Of the earth were driven
into this affair. With fearful labor they
have fought their way to a clear vision
OF better days, when there will be no
pistol pointed at the head of civilization.
They will not be cheated of that vision.
They will not disgrace their dead ana
shame the glorious traditions Of their
valor by a weak and trouble breeding
withdrawal now. They have a goal be-
fore them. the extirpation of militarism
and Kaiserism from the face Of the earth.
and until they have won that goal they
will not stop.
THE COJ nEN ApTEDIUn cnr,-,,