Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-08
WHAT AMERICA MUST DO.

on their return to America, maue
what appears to have been a very ex-
haustive and valuable report on condl'
tions in Europe, the needs OF the
allies and the ways in which America
can and must help most in the TASK
az winning the war. Obviously, the
details of this report cannot be made
public. but the outline published yes
terdav giyes the reader the encourag'
irx impression that the commission
ars worked hard and effectively while
thev were abroad and that their re-
port includes facts and Information
witch are needed in Washington just
now to bring about efficient work ana
cut red tape. A great German or
fensive on the western front Is being
preuared. That 1t will be supreme
effort Is beyond question, and there
a everv probability that the massed
armies of the kaiser will inflict con-
adorable loss on the allies troops. 1t
Il equally probable that the enemy
v,n regain some of the ground which
has been reclaimed during the past
NV months by British and french
forces.
But there Is a we'll defined feeling
Of confidence that the German drive
vfll not be the sort OF success that
can be regarded as a real victory.
Despite the advantage Germany has
realized through the Russian collapse,
she has been compelled to use many
Of the troops from the eastern front IN
Ita1y where the stubborn fighting of
tha italians and the brilliant work OF
ira allies have shown the Austrian
armies UNIT to cope with well trained
and we'll equipped foemen.
Americas armies will take part IN
the defense of the line which
stretches from Switxerland's border
10 the North sea. That was announced
Yesterday BY General Mann. Iowa's
Third regiment, re-christened the
16sth United States infantry, will
have a part in the fighting, whether
It be to repel the invading Germans or
to participate in an offensive by the
allies.
There is every probability that the
lrst blow will be struck by the leu.
tons. The war lords of Germany, no
matter how loud their boasts that they
had no fear of America may have
been. realize that they must inaug.
urate their offensive before General
Pershing assemblies his entire army
II they are to expect to win any ad-
vantage.
II the German thrust fails to gain
a clear victory under these conditions
1t will mean that the strength of the
mailed fist truly is waning. The allies
can take some loss without being COM
HofnQfoH
II they can depend on steady arrival
OF seasoned and equipped American
troops in Europe to take up the task
Of opposing Germany's veteran armies,
Two reasons probably account for
the guarantee from France and Eng
land that they will furnish equipment
for all the soldiers America can send.
Shipping facilities for transporting
heavy equipment to Europe are not
available without reducing the ship
anent Of foodstufYs and Of the men
themselves. In addition, in their de-
plorable condition Of inefficiency, the
war departments bureaus cannot be
depended upon to provide equipment
on this side OF the Atlantic with suf-
hcient speed to keep up with the re-
cruiting Of soldiers.
The realization that America is ex.
pected to send vast army and &C.
count for large share OF the military
activity during the coming year or
two should go far toward awakening
those Of our citizens who after nine
months Of war persist in regarding
the conflict as something in which
they have but little interest save as
spectators.
From today America must be more
intensely "in the war" than before.
Every citizens activities will count
either for or against his country.
Gradually oficial Washington is
rounding to- Business methods are
being adopted in departments: red
tape and bureaucracy are being
banned. The government is waking
up, and the citizens must.
Conservation Of resources is not
the only avenue of patriotic action
open to the stay-at-home citizen. 1t is
4 part of each Americans loyalty, and
q very important part, to discourage
aisloyalty on the part Of others. The
governments institutions must be
guarded against assaults by pro-Ger-
mans in whatever disguise they may
be found. Socialism and its various
qualifications. including the I. w. w.,
anarchy, incendiarism. pacinsm, OBJ
struction. must be stamped out by a
patriotic citizenship.
Back us up" is the plea that Cap
tain Steller sent from Europe as the
vessel bearing Ottumwa's soldiers
touched Engiand's shores. stop all
tae pro erman talk You can" he