Arizona republican., 1918-03-05
Public Opinion

Those who do not think very deeply have won dered how Germany could make such a stand as it is making against the civilized world. They figure that in war numbers and resources must be the de- cding factors. Even before entered the war, the allies had long advantage in both numbers and re- They have control of the sea so far as it affected commerce-an advantage which had decided the Napoleonic war after the Corsican had overrun continental Europe and which had decided every vious war. No nation has been victorious after it has been isolated by
 But one important and factor in the pres ent war has generally been overlooked and that has been the effect of public opinon--n war it's effect is retarding, and time must come when it must be held in check
 In the March number of the North American Re view, F. V. Keys has article, "The Great Illusion About Germany" He says:
 No one who has been intimately familiar with the inside of German institutions with the ways of thinking in typical German circles, whether liberal or conservative so-caed, with the whole political atmosphere breathed by radical reactonary within the borders of the German empire, can hesitate to say that there never has been in Germany any such thing public opinion"
 There are in Germany, says MT. Keys only two bodies of opinion any and every matter; there is the government and there is the opposition. there was ever dissenting opinion in Germany as to the war it was removed before the was begun was replaced by belief that Germany mitted to holy war. In this crusade scientific and literary leaders took part Long before the war, more than a generation before, the preparation of the ground for this belief begun And when the war broke government and opposition
 Why is it so impossible" asks MT. Keys for the German mind to apprehend and understand that which by public opinion% For the
 
 ically on a war footing. Her mentality has been, in quite literal sense the mentality of an army Ana an army is the place where there be public opnion.'
 The people of neither this any of the allied countries mentally footing War to impossible and abhorrent. We refused to recognize it and hooted those who recognized it even a remote possibility. We all advocates of peace most of us at one time for peace at any price. Public opinion for peace.
 time came when we were drawn or driven into the war, and though public opinion somewhat shifted and even shattered, the pieces remained to confuse and weaken us. If we had had only towards and traitors to deal with it would not have been so bad; they comparatively few. But had public opinion which insisted upon the freedom which it had enjoyed in long era of peace. Public opinion readily became asylum for traitors; in fact, in many instances they eavened it. but they really less harmful and obstructing than patriots who could not recognize that the period of discussion hao suddenly ended and that the time for united action had come; that mentality well army to be put a footing.
 We must come to such footing. It will make no difference how many soldiers raise, we must unite in a determination win the war ana to do those things necessary to it's winning Those who refuse to unite be suppressed. A denoc- racy in peace is inspiring vision; a democracy at war is a pitiable spectacle