The Washington herald., 1918-03-07

Solidiflcation of the nation and
prosecution OF the war to a definite
victory require that the administra-
tiOn take several steps, and that
Congress enact certain legislation.
according to the insistent letters of
the American Defense Society to
members of the law making body
As now charted and urged by the
society the administration should
at once:
/. Send an overwhelming force
OF men to France.
.. Intern alien enemies and Ger
man sympathizers whose conduct re-
tards the effective prosecution OF
the war.
3. SeQuestrate all property owned
by enemy non-reSidents.
4. Warn Germany that fracture
of the rules of humane warfare will
not be tolerated.
5. Forbid the publication OF Ger
man newspapers and magazines
during the war.
A nd at the same time Congress
should take several steps intended
to bring the war to speedier ter
mination. These are, according to
the sOCiety's letters:
l. Declare war against Turkey
and Bulgaria.
2. Expel disloyal members from
Congress.
3. Prohibit issuance Of new Sc
curities save under Federal license.
4. Provide universal military
training for all Americans between
the ages of IS and >; years.
Congress believes that hundreds
of thousands of Americans agree
with this outline. But Congress
also believes that the same hundreds
of thousands if not millions of
Americans who so agree do not
realize some of the facts which con-
front our country in this great
crisis
In the first place, we are getting
men to Europe as fast as we can.
We could not possibly go any faster,
for the reason that the shipping
situation is holding us back. The
American defense society says we
ought to have 100000 men in
Europe. but the officials do not real
ize that to keep them there would
require the constant and unimpeded
use of from 100000 to 100000
tons of shipping or more shipping
that all the allied nations together n
possess. lie we get a million men
over there and keep them properly
we will be doing very we'll for the
next year.
Then, we have repeatedly told Ger
many that We will not tolerate her
fracture OF the rules of warfare. In
fact, that is just why We are in this
war. The only thing we can do is
to defeat Germany for her insistence
that she can wage war in whatever
way she chooses. 1t is useless to set
this down as an object for us 70 out
line. We long ago spoke in this re-
gard, and are now engaged in doing
what we can to punish Germany for
not needing our cry.
The matter of declaration of war
against Turkey and Bulgaria is up to
the President. He has not seen fit to
urge this step. He may see reasons
for so doing which the officials of
the defense society do not see. 1t is
a matter which should be left to the
President. Besides the war declara-
ton. under the circumstances, is only
a form after all and taking the step
would not hasten the day of peace, in
all probability.
With reference to universal train
ing, there are conflicting opinions be-
tween the administration and the
people. without question. The enact
ment of such a law would embarrass
us in peace negotiations, many men,
bers OF Congress believe. This, too,
is a matter which should be dealt
with most carefully and thoughtfully
by Congress. And II the President
has views upon this which he be-
lieves should permeate war legislation
Congress should respect them. For
the President will be the greatest
factor in the peace-making that Is to
follow the present war. and Congress
should not. in such a vital matter.
take any step which would prevent
him from going about his task in
the freest manner possible.
All of which shows that while the
American Defense Society is unques-
tionabiy a body engaged in a patriotic
mission and doing many kplandjd