Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-19
REORGANIZATION

COORDINATION
Whatever else may be said about
i&nator Chamberlain by those who dc
ht admire his stand on the subject Of
I, saking war, It must be admitted tina,
has accumulated a great deal o.
I, 8st hand information regarding the
sStion's activities along that line and
he temper OF the public with regard
NH those activities. The adoption by
Il Se administration of the suggestion
81 coordination in which Senator
chamberlain took the lead and which
isvas, At the bottom of the recent quar-
vi 1T Washington Is indisputable proof
|, at such coordination was needed
4 Ven the Overman bill which will give
The president the power to centralize
md supervise all the nations wal
Making Sstrength is confirmation OF
he very criticism for which Senator
chamberlain was SO bitterly pilloried
! ust before the bill was introduced II
be senate.
\ with these facts in mind 1t Is inter
sting to- read an interview which 9
Washington newspaper man obtained
WITH Senator Chamberlain Saturday In
'Hh}ch he declared that one OF the
relat disadvantages the country has
offered in the past year has existed
III the fact that the people did not real
Is the seriousness of the war. Asked
lie reason for this apathy, he replied
n follows:
Because the press and those In
authority have INDUCED in an
optimism not warranted by the
actual conditions, with the result
\ that the great mass OF the people
have not been correctly advised.
The people only need to have the
,<facts rs they really are to form
\ correct conclusion; that conclu-
4 sion would naturally be toward
more prompt and more satisfactory
4 preparation to bring the war to
X speedy and victorious end:
4 BY way of illustration: We find
eir Eric Geddes complaining In
llSlE,n Gland that facts have been with
ss held with regard to submarine de-
": struction and advising that the
facts Sc given to the public so as
ID 70 arouse them to the actual needs
81 the situation. When these facts
are given the patriotic spirit OF
England is aroused and the people
there are willing to make greater
efforts and sacrifices. The same
rule must apply to the American
, people. They must have the iacts.
8 and they can be relied on to DO all
that 10 necessary to make sue
cessful preparation and fight for
!, democracy and civilization.
This is no one mans war. 1t Is
the peoples war. and in order to
succeed the people must be kept
/, advised from time to time as to
4 actual conditions and needs. It Is
eratifyinE to note that the new
chief OF staff, Gen. March. evinces
: disposition to greater publicity
a our military affairs.
We have the needed resources in Z
men and material, and think what
/. = speeding up to take advantage
AZ q these resources would mesn-
H the Fastening Of the conclusion OF
7 the war, and, consequently, the
I eventual saving of hundreds OF
thousands Of human lives and mil
{ Hons OF dollars of wealth; 1t would
mean the assured success OF the
1llies and peace dictator by
! those who are interested In max
Ing the world safe for democracy
4, ana In the destruction Of military
4 1erce and power.
! The situation in America demands
pordination and Capitalization, Sen
y Tor Chamberlain believes, just as the
ituation on the various segments o.
he western battlefront, from tht
forth sea to the Adriatic, demanded
Sshe unified control on which America.
Var commission insisted and which
- brought about, after long delay, p,
"a organixatiou of the supreme wal
ouncal 1t Versailles and the appoint
,sent Of General Foch as supreme com
!. ander OF al the allied forces.
! n coordination and cooperation arr
essential in the battle field. 1t Is rea
|Sonable, TO argue that they are equally
ssseutdal In the administration bureaus
IEk the United States government OF
Shich the armies must depend for sup
hes. maintenance and achievements
The Ovosman bill should be enacted
INTO law without more delay. 1t doe.
J lot promise all that the most deter
Iiued opponents Of coordination have
/ demanded, but 1t goes long way II
that direction.