El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-18
AMERICA TURNS POLITICAL TIDE
OF THE WORLD AGAINST GERMANY

THE refusal Of the American government to accept Aus
L ~tda-Hungay's proposal for a preliminary peace con-
ference Is exactly what was expected, and it may be taken
for granted that all other allied countries viii follow the
lead Of the United States, and follow It promptly. The
closest union Of sentiment and action chaIacteHzes the
entente countries now. The United States has promoted
that unity. It IS one Of the chief contributions Of the
American government TO the carrying on of the war.
In order to understand that clearly, It IS best TO review
Eketehily those contributions.
Since we entered the war, the United States has con-
tibuted materially to the cause Of the allied powers more
than 100000 troops now in France, with other large mum
bers training in the United States and the British isles;
Is beginning to show quantity production Of artillery, ma
chine guns and fighting alrplanes; IS showing satisfactory
results IN the accomplishment Of the largest shipbuilding
program ever undertaken by any country (the Hog Island
shipyard alone has almost as many ways as are in all
Japan, has made It possible for the allies and some neu-
trails to dodge the menace of famine in food and fuel; has
financed co-beIigerents to the extent Of more than $780,
OO05D005 and mas enacted a aan power bill which VIII re
suit In bringing to the fighting front the largest army re-
naming IN the war. In France the United States has cor
gtTueted a system Of docks, warehouses, railroads, factories
and training oenters which are the amazement Of all who
have seen them, so vast are they and so perfect their func-
toning.
An this has been done IN a little more than a year as
time goes, but actually IN less than a year because, as
everyone remembers, the American war machine was slow
IN building and slower still in gathering momentum when
started. But the military contribution Of the United
States has turned the tide against Germany in a military
NONE THE LESS IMPORTANT, IT HAS ALSO
TUREE The POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE WAR
AGAINST GERMANY.
This is true both as to beIigerent and neutral nations.
The play Of world politics is influential on the course Of a
long. hard fought war such as this. The morale of the
~beIigerent peoples is based to no small extent upon the
sympathies Of neutral nations.
Up to a few months ago, Germany compelled the fear,
If not the admiration Of many neutrals, particularly of neu-
trails not far distant from Germany. Having OveTrun Bel
gum, SerTia, Montenegro, Rumana, Russia and a part Of
France, Germany was able, through her diplomats, agents
and spies, to point out IN neutral countries the military
successes which Germany had gained. Unfortunately It
Is a human weakness, often, to incline toward the side
which seems to be winning, particularly If that side seems
most dangerous N the future. Moreover, these agents Of
Germany had some success IN camOuflaging the sinister
imperialism Of their country with a mask Of defence. That
Is to say, they sought TO make 1t appear that Germany,
far from wagng a war Of world conquest, was fighting in
defence against England and France in a war started by
them and based on a desire to domiHte the commercial
world,
It was not until the United States entered the war
entered It without a material end in view-that the nell
aimed countries and to the perldy OF German aims. Then
they began to see that the United States had gone in as
the defender Of small nations to save them from the ter
roIs Of destruction and conquest The effect on neutrals
has been very marked
The effect has been as marked in the b~eIigerent coun-
tries themselves. Remember that only a twelTe-month ago,
italy was torn BY dissenson between those who wanted TO
wage q thorough going war to victory and those who, If
they did not actively favor the enemy, at least were op-
posed to Italys further participation in the var. France
was IN the throes Of a defeatist campaign Of propaganda
which threatened to rend the nation, but which, under the
Slong nana OF me new premier Slemenceau5 reSuIed II the
Bolo ana NAVY treason TRIALS Lloyo-George was having a
hard time keeping down the peace-by-compromise sentiment
IN Britain which was strong not only among powerful Ia
Dor organizations, bit also among many OF the most pow
erful nobility who could not view with equanimity a var
for democracy which threatened to engulf their feudal aris-
tocrscy. Greece was IN a turmoil and a menace to the al
lied expedition at Saloniki. Russia was disintegrating. Is
It any wonder, in view Of these facts, that many neutrals
felt that Germany and her allies were near the hour Of
triumph? Or that the peace by compromise sentiment
gained rapid growth In the some OF the allied countries?
The entrance Of the United States has changed all this.
Not only are the British, French, Italian and Greek govern
msnts firmly seated, but they are also completely united
under q joint command as to military operations and
joined economically under an interalied council The de-
featist and compromise propaganda has been put down BY
THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, AND IN ALL BELLIGER-
ENT HER IS A FIRM TO
FIGHT UNT VICTORY IS WON.
See what a change In the world alignment occurred with
the entrance Of the United States into the waI. Cuba and
Panama both came into the war voluntarily and at once.
Brazil Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Santo Domingo