Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-14
7 ORDERS TWO
To C0L0RS
Why We Fight

Nv CLARENCE y. SPEED.

Union League Club OF Chicago.
Any one Of the reasons why we are
at war with Germany, mentioned in
previous articles Of this series, would
be sufficient justification for this ma
ton taking up arms. Only extreme
patience, coupled, often, with complete
failure to recognize the seriousness Of
the German menace to America and
the world, kept the United States out
Of the war for nearly three years be-
fore il finally decided to join in. In
fact justification for war with Ger
many existed years before the conflict
in Europe was begun.
1t has been shown that Germany,
for years, had been plotting within our
borders, encouraging immigrants to
became citizens and at the same time
remain faithful to the kaiser. She
filed our land with spies and agents
of disorganzatiOn when, to all out
ward appearances, relations between
America and Germany, were of the
most friendly character.
From evidence supplied by the Ger
mans themselves, it has been shown
that Germanys doctrine that might
alone is right would menace the very
independence Of the United States just
as surely as 1t destroyed that OF Ser
bia and Belgium, jus. as soon as Ger
many felt herself strong enough to
make a formal attack. German lust
of conquest knew no bounds.
Events of the last year have proven
that Germany, having split the world
in half by her creation of a Mltteleu-
ropa. extending from the Baltic almost
70 The Persian gulf. was planning to
devour the halves separately. The fact
that our half of the world was being
reserved for dessert was all the more
reason why we should enter the wal
while part. at least. of the other half
was still making resistance.
Finally, when the collapse of Russia
revealed the fact that Germany was
lighting, nor war of self-preserva'
ton, but one of conquest pure ana
simple, and that the freedom of the
entire world was menaced, any ques
ton Of why we are fighting seemed
superhuous.
The military party in Germany start
ed the war because it believed the time
ripe for conquest,
Proof that ambition, and not consid
GRAFTON Of its own safety, prompted
Germany to begin the war Is given by
tho fact that Serbia and Belgium, two
helpless little nations, were the firs
attacked.
Germany had under no compulsion
signed a solemn treaty to protect thu
neutrality Of Belgium. When she
branded this treaty "a scrap Of paper.
she gave proof that all her treaiie:
would be so considered when her in
terests demanded. In other words
Germany's invasion of Belgium mean
the tearing up Of every treaty which
existed between Germany and Other
nations. 1t was ample justification fol
America going to war at that moment
This did not spur America at thu
time. but Germany's cruelties in Bel
GUM, surprising anything ever before
known In modern history. gave further
evidence that the world was not safe
as long as such a government existed
in II.
Then came Germanys conduct or
the sea. With her battlefield cravenly
seeking shelter behind the defenses o.
the Kiel canal. Germany sent out hei
submarines and began war on I'm
armed merchantmen. Women and chill
dren were her victims. American citi
zens by the score went down to dealt
on the Lusitania The United States
made protest. and Germany promised
to mend her ways. This she did, fol
a time. until she could build feet o
bigger and better submarines, and ther
her pirate sea warfare broke out will
fresh vlgor. How could we keep out
of war when Germany, after ruthlessly
killing our citizens. deliberately closet
the sea to us?
German plotters and spies, undel
the direct leadership Of the German
ambassador to this country, worked
almost openly, blowing up industrial
plants, sinking ships In our harbors
and menacing railroads and canals.
Germany, spnrred by successes
openly began to announce. plans fol
dIsciplining the United States. She
scoffed at the Monroe doctrine. ano
tried to create German state il
Brazil which, In time would he stront
enough to bring about a revolution and
overthrow democratic government
there.
By her huge ornaments, her dsre
gard of treaties, and her evident re-
llMnce on force alone, Germany was
rnuistlv mixing tha usnrll an ,noufS |