Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-16

DlOW OF Ine war mas Deen received Dy
the United States in the sinking OF
the Tuscania and the loss of about "a
American soldiers. This was the first
positive reminder of what war it; il
will carry sorrow to many homes; and
it will immensely strengthen the nation
in its determination to crush such ruth
less militarism. America has been the
least bitter of all of Germany's enc.
mics, and might have been useful ia
Germany at the peace table; but Ger.
many's ruthlessness has foolishly de-
troyed any spirit of consideration that
once might have been of advantage to
her, and has accomplished nothing but
solidifying the bonds between us and
our Allies and confirming the resolution
for victory.
! Aside from this event there has been
subsistence of peace runners this week
and a consequent decline of optimism.
| That distress and internal discomfort
are widespread in Germany, fastening
termination of the war, is well known
over here; but it is unwise to underrate
the endurance of Germany's military
machine, which has a firm grip upon the
home situation and will suppress all up
risings with a relentless hand. What
with an unbroken military government
ON the one hand, and the characteristic
ready submission of the German people
to authority and system at all times, the
immediate outlook for any internal up
rising that would quickly terminate the
was, is not overencouraging 1t is true
that political dissensions in Germany
are growing very rapidly, and that con
ditions in Russia and Austria are high.
ly confusing; but it must be remembered
that in Germany the people have no
means of expressing their will, such as
exists in the United o,ares, france or
England. For all practical purposes the
political power of Germany is entirely
in the hands of the emperor and his
military advisers, who have nothing TO
gain by peace, unless on their own
terms, which as every nation but Ger
many knows are impossible. The war
must, therefore, be one of exhaustion or
arbitration; victory coming only to the
side which can do the greatest killing.
Such is the horrible, yet perfectly log
ical, outcome of the crime OF militar-
ism.
tireiy concentrated at Washington,
whittier it has drifted from nearly all
the great industrial and financial CEN
tcrs Whether it is question Of fuel,
food, clothing, transportation, finance
or manufacture, all these great divisions
IF business endeayor Lave fallen III ,c
OF less completely under the spell of
government cCAtrol; and the process is !
still going on. At first our business
leaders were summoned to Washington
for advice; then they volunteered for
service; then for various reasons many
rctg.ned, and finally the administration
closer and closer control over
variCus industries; until in some cases
notably in transportation, it has gond
abolt as far as possible without a3tual
government ownership; and in tue case
IF ships in foreign trade ownership is
already an actual fact. OF course these
evolutionary steps were proposed and
accepted as purely war measures, be-
,ause the necessary concentration and
on a vast and intensive
scale could be accomplished in no other
'ashion. Such wholesale readjustment
# our business machinery at a time
when industries most affected by the
var were under intense pressure, meant
large degree of confusion and demor-
IiHation. The sweeping changes thus
made necessary seriously impaired the
Morale of large industries in rank and
lie and among the higher officials, ser
ously delaying production and mater
ally counteracting the efforts for speed
ng Up. Full efficiency, therefore, has
90 often been more a matter of talk
han accomplishment, and the admins
ration has had to face some hostile
f stimulating effort, and it is to be /.
oped will result in elimination of any
nefficicney. As a matter of justice it
1ust lie said: that the administration
as On its lands herculean job; that
IS short ccmings, if any, were no worse
han might have been expected; that
fter ali great things had been accom-
Eshed, ard that when the new admin :
strators have become accustomed to the !,
ew order of things, the working of the =
overnment and the industries under its !
ontrol will become more satisfactory. :
Dry. !
Secretary MeAdoo's call for $3,000,- :
100000 before the next Liberty Loan in
-pril was somewhat of a surprise. 1t !
anne in the shape of request that the J
anks and trust companies throughout
he country Immediately set aside a por- !;
on of their resources regularly for |;
eriod of ten weeks, for the purpose of !
aking $500,O00,OO0 or more of per
snt treasury certificates to mature May =
tn. Secretary McAdoo's object in this :
roposal is to postpone the Liberty loan
ntiI a period more favorable for its .
ide distribution, but the imperative Z
eeessity of providing funds for our =
lives and our Allies TO push the war "
a critical period brought forth this
zpedient, which will undoubtedly be
lccessful because the banks are in
rong position and solidly behind the
As the certificates can be I
sed in payment for the next Liberty :, :,
an. they will distribute the strain :;
1on the money market and provide the !, !,
,7ernment with necessary funds. :, =
astIe killed in an airDlane accident |