The Dermott news., 1918-07-25
Why We Fight
Because Germany Mcuaces the
Freedom Of the World and Russia
Can no LONGER Resist
Ry CLARENCE l.. SPEED

Ivy \ IL. Eel
Secretary OF the War Committee of the
Union League Club of Chicago
We are i'm this war with Germany
because IL is war for freedom more
truly than ever before was a war
fought for the liberty OF man. In times
past, il is true. men have fought for
freedom from oppressors. Sometimes
they have won and sometimes they
have lost But always there has been
a place In this big world where those
who had lost In the struggle mt home
might 30 and find country where
they might enjoy the liberty they
loved.
Now oil Is different. n the forces
which are fighting for freedom In this
war are defeated, there will be no
place in the whole world to which they
may 20 to find refuge from Prus-
sim domination. Every land under
the sun will be directly or indirectly
under control OF the victor: and II
the victor is autocracy. freedom per-
lshes.
The land where freedom Is most Inn
minently menaced by the legions or
Prussian autocracy, Mt this moment.
is the land where unwonted freedom
temporarily has run riot and has lost
the power to fight for itself-Russia.
We are fighting for the freedom OF
Russia. and must continue to fight for
Il until Russia learns what freedom
means, and Is again able to fight. II
we do not, freedom will die In Russia;
Prussian autocracy will rule and ex.
plot the country for its own benefit:
and the very forces which overthrow
the car will be turned against the
freedom not only Of themselves. but OF
other lands.
In years gone by, when the forces
Of revolution were showing themselves
here and there in Russia, they had the
sympathy of America in spite Of the
methods Of terrorism of which we
did not approve. When the car and
the kaiser, leaders of autocracy, were
locked in death grapple. Russia still
had our sympathy. because she was
fighting on the side Of those who were
seeking to safeguard the world from
Prussian miltarism.
When the car was deposed over
night American feelings were mixed.
There was Joy at the downfall Of an
old, and sometimes cruel aHtocrncy,
but there was fear TINT Russia would
become too disoruanized tn fight fur-
Their. coupled with the thought that per-
hans the revolution had come too soon
to be effective.
Then followed the brief regime Of
Kcrensky. when il began IA look as
though freedom in Russia might he an
organized freedom, prepared tn hght
for its rights. and all America hailed
the Russian revolution as a blessing.
II had become absolutely correct to
say that the war was war of democ-
racy against autocrncy. No pro-Ger-
man could longer point to the car,
whenever nm argument arose.
Finally came the bolsheviki rcvolu-
ton, in which kerensky was over
thrown. Russian industry and Rus.
sian society We're disorganized, and
Russian armies ceased to fight. The
kaiser's armies pressed on unopposed.
took what they desired In spite of
signed peace. and Russia appeared to
be about to pass completely under con.
troll Of Germany. America stood
aghast at the prank freedom had
played. and American opinion turned
largely against Russia. but thinking
men refused to give up hope. Rus
sia was and still Is incapable Of OFFER
ing resistance. but Russia Is not re-
signed to autocracy. 1t devolves upon
others to fight for the freedom Rus
STA must have.
The experience of other nations has
been that men who loved freedom