The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1918-08-07
WHERE u. S. WILL GAIN.

~ HE United States of America went into The
war with no thought of conquest, accession
of new territory, trade expansion or ma
terial reward in any form. With the return OF
peace it will present no bill to it's allies for SER
vices rendered. 1t will make sudden call for
moneys advanced. More than that, publicly and
privately it will aid in the work of rehabilitation
of Belgium, France Poland, Serbia, Roumania,
Italv and Russia. 1t will gladly and promptly
helm to float whatever new loans Great Britain
France and Italy may need in the reconstruction
period.
In what manner then, will the United States
derive benefit from its participation in the Nigh
ty struggle for the protection of human liberties
Morally it's gains will be unreasonable; pollti-
cally. new epoch will have opened in its his
tory It will have the respect of the whole world
the gratitude of the greater and better part of it.
It will have rooted it's institutions deeply and
securely in democracy that has been made safe
It will have achieved within ITSELF for itself, econ
omic reforms, priceless in character that per
haps could not have been brought about IN
hundred years as things going before the
war.
When the military caste in Berlin set the war
going, it little knew what forces it was awaken
ing and putting into action. It's ultimate aim
was domination by auNocracy Throughout the
earth: it's main accomplishment has been the GER
tain destruction of that system. Whatever else
the war has DONE it has strengthened popular
government
The United States was headed toward pluto
cracv without realizing it. Trusts and monopo-
lies were in the saddle. Wealth becoming
the nations idol: pursuit of it the principle oc-
cupation of the people and where dollars grabbing
was not practical for power, it was followed as
means of obtaining selfish pleasure The war
has brought the Republic back to its senses, back
to fundamentals. 1t has already and only be-
ginning is made so far, wrought changes in pop
ular thought sentiment and conviction which CEN
turtles will not be able to reserve or erase. Aside
from that pearl beyond valuation, a national con-
seriousness of duty performed the United States
at the beginning of the of peace which is
soon to dawn upon the world and largely as a re-
suit of it's participation in a which plunged
the world into darkness has tangible reward in the
inauguration of public control over utilities n
timately and even vitality, related to the progress
prosperity and happiness of its people.
The taking over of the rails and the wires by
the federal authority is, of course war measure
and therefore temporary in character. But does
anybody suppose that these changes will not, IN
some measure, be made permanent? The act of
placing under government control the railroads
and the telegraph and telephone wires Of the
country simply extends over communication the
authority already largely exercised by the -os-
tai system. Who would dare, in these days to
propose the return of mail-carrying to private
interests? Who will dare during after the
war. to return the rails and wires to unlimited
private control?
A long period Of adjustment, however, lies be-
fore the nation. Control over necessities will not
stop at rails and wires, although that acquire
ment. contrary to the belief of many, may post
pone extension indefinitely. Governmental
management is very likely to be disappointing
and unsatisfactory, at first Interest opposed to
public control will perhaps strive to make it so.
The beginning of public ownership will resemble
the beginning of democracy government. 1t will
be somewhat crude. It may display weaknesses
1t may be wanting in efficiency. It may, -or
time fall short of the expectation of its best
friends. But there will probably be no going
back It will eventually succeed.
The great gain for the people of the United
States through the will be found in the
Strengthening of their determination to govern
themselves not partly but wholly; not merely po-
litically but economically. The war has already
given them great start in this direction
Christian Science Monitor.