El Nuevo mexicano., 1918-03-14
on The Ball

It is very Interesting to speculate on what
will be the outcome Of the Russian situa-
ton; on what will happen if the Japs invade
Siberia; If the Germans should menace In
dia; If the Hun should seem more inclined
to seriously consider peace negotiations;
whether or not the German war machine is
wearing out; whether or not her transpor-
tation and manufacturing system has fallen
down, whether or not the Socialist propa.
ganda is becoming more dangerous, whether.
or not the submarine campaign is losing
slightly In effectiveness. II
1t is sometimes highly entertaining and
sometimes highly disgusting 10 hear poiiti.
cal attacks on the government in Washing
ton; 1t is not edifying to see the remarks
of bitter enemies of ali war preparation and
resources mobilization spread abroad
through the country because through suf-
ference and American good humor they are
allowed to sit in the seats of the mighty
and disseminate their propaganda under the
guise Of constructive criticism or opposi-
tion to "autocratic methods" 1t is some
what astonishing to see supposed states.
men violently taking In effect the position
that there should be no control OF food Or
coal or transportation or war industries. All
these things keep us in more or less OF
a turmoil. We are likely to get so busy
reading about them in the daily papers that
we forget to attend to our particular part
Of the job or winning the war.
We must keep our eyes ION the ball. In
the American peoples ability to concentrate
and to see essentials must be found the
road to success in this war of self preser-
walton. Our salvation lies in our ability to
put victory above politics or personality or
individual prejudice or benefit or ~selfshness.
We should perhaps not worry too much a.
bout the traitors In high places, however
much they cause us to feel shame. An
awakened nationalism is growing daily in
intensity. Beside its volume and its monen-
tum the TRADES of disloyal senators become
'squeaks and the resistance of political
shysters becomes as chat which the wind
driveth away. The only real menace to sue
cess will be in individual indifference or
vacilation. The thing for each to do is to
keep the fires of his individual militant
patriotism so famed and his personal pro.
ductive efficiency at such a high standard
that 1t will stir and stimulate, and keep
aroused all with whom he comes In daily
contact. This war is to be won by the pri-
vate citizens of America; by the union man
who refuses to strike when it means aid
and comfort to the enemy; by the grocer
who refuses to profteerj by the contractor
who decides the war is important enough
to be honest about; by the hotel keeper who
is a good soldier and obeys the food regula.
tions to the letter; by the consumer who
resists the temptation to hoard, unquestion.
ingly obeying every government order as to
what he shall eat or save; by the farmer
who plants more crops regardless Of
whether or not it will pay him. by the
business man, the professional man, the
wage Garner who feels the awakening of
the sacrificial CONSCIOUSNESS and does not
stop daily to count the cost"
Keep our eyes o m the ball, look after
and your nation will take care Of