The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-04-06
THE DAILY MSSOULlAN
EsTABLashEp 1879
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1918.
A YEAR OF WAR.

pfeslutHt w WV Iii'''' w
signed q resolution OF congress,
declaring the existence Of a state
Of war and authorizing and d.
recting the chief executive to en-
ploy all the resources of The ma
ton 10 prosecute hoStlilues
against the German government
to a successful termination.
Thus, with a stroke of the pen,
this great republic was turned
from its traditional channels Of
peace into the huge and charities
maelstrom Of a worlds war, for
which it was lily prepared.
The things that have happened
since are chronicled in other
columns and are, for the most
part, familiar to our readers.
Gradually far too gradually, we
think he nation has girded It's
loins for the tremendous burden
it has yet to bear in a conflict to
preserve all the things that are
held by honest men and women
to be just and right. Our allies,
worn in body, but dauntlcss in
spirit are turning hopeful eyes
to America for the winning of
the war, which seems to have
reached a critical hour, with
Armageddon III sight, if not in
fact.
We think we may say truthful
~, that the physical results OF
the war, so far as the conduct
Of it at Washington is concerned,
have been disappointing. There
is sound evidence that we are far
behind a reasonable expectation
Of what the American air service
in France would be at this time.
We are told that but one Ameri-
can airplane. is in action. Our
troops abroad are using the arth-
lery Of the allies, and our pro-
gram for the supply Of machine
guns is being executed only after
the greatest delay. The huge
task of furnishing ships moves
slowly, SO that the Germans, at
this day, are destroying far more
tonnage monthly than is being re-
placed. These criticisms and 9TH
ers that might be offered, are
based upon actual evidence, Of
fered before committees of both
houses of congress and published
from time to time in The Missou-
hans news columns. We contin-
tie to hearoa atadeal of rainbow
talk from Washington about what
is to be done, but also a great deal
Of vague and unsatisfactory talk
of what has been done along the
lines we have indicated
We would not minimize the ap-
palling difficulties of preparing
a helpless nation for war within
twelve months. Everyone must
realize the stupendous nature of
that task, but, is it not the clear
est reasoning that for this work
the president should, without re-
gard to political attachments
summon to his aid the most eff
cient men to be found and enough
of them? We believe that The
presidents failure to follow this
course Of action is responsible for
the unlocked for and unfortunate
delay of the nation in getting fit
for the fight. That, however, can
be remedicd even at this late day,
and we are glad to see that con
gress Is taking a hand in the
game.
The country is fast reaching
mood where it will not tolerate
further incompetence, incfficlcn-
cy or excuse. There i too much
at stake to permit this war to be
conducted on such a basis.
IL we have pictured conditions
as unpleasant as they are truth
full, there j., on tn" other hand.
one great and satisfying thought.
The spirit of the country j. right.
The people, save negligible
number, are united. Under HE
leadership Of President Wilson.
the nation has been aroused to a
fighting pitch. 1t l. runN inrrh nI
the justice of our cause ana It viii
fight to The end. The highest
praise must be- accorded tu uur
president for this work. His calls
to the people, thrauRh messages
which have breathrd ihr highest
inspiration and are marked TN
the Soundest of reasoning must
rank among the greatest duru-
ments in all struggles Of drmuc-
facy for existence The president
has proved himself a true leader
of the people. At hi, buglr cry
nley rallied from every corner
Of the great rpDuhlir Tna6y rnr