Bisbee daily review., 1918-11-24
LET THE ENEMY STARVE FIRST
Washington Post.)

converts to democracy, deeply offended victims of their late militaristic rulers and especially deserving fatted calf of forgive ness. If the German women who are ap- pealing to American women for special favors would kindly hold aloof some evi- dence Is forthcoming that the German na- ton is not still rapacious wolf harm less only because overpowered, there might be better chance for them in the forth coming drastic rationing of the world.
 The German peoples conversion is too sudden and too voluble to be convincing. Four years of accumulated proof of savage delight in atrocious crimes and robberies cannot be wiped out by a week or two of internal disorders and declamations on the beauties of democracy. The truth is that the German people supported their imper- ial assassin of nations until his murder ma chinery was smashed and Germany in dan ger of invasion Then they affected change of heart.
 Probably they will change their form of government. Very good; so man can change his coat But the leopard cannot change his spots, and the German people cannot convince their victims in other na- tions that they have become humanized overnight. There Is so little repentance visible; so little real evidence of change of heart. The voice that goes up from Germany is one of regret, but not for crimes committed. It is regret that victory was not achieved-that France and Bel gium and the other allied nations were not put in position to be exploited to the ut most.
 When any American Is inclined to go out of his way to exhibit his generosity to- ward the German people, let him reflect a moment upon what those people would have exacted of France, England and Italy if the kaiser had been victorious.
 Let him glance at what was done in Bel gium and Serbia and what was prepared to be done in Russia.
 Let him bear in mind that the German people profited greatly in the footing of allied countries, and that no voice in Ger many was raised against the robbing of al- lied countries to feed Germans.
 It Is not for the purpose of advocating brutal or cruel policy toward the Ger man people that these remarks are made. WO WlOllSS 0O lIOl O AlSiil, oiAo IL To not in the nature of Americans to rejoice in the calamities of their neighbors. But 1t is the nature of Americans to be entirely too generous to a beaten foe. The tendency Is not toward retribution and reprisal but toward an excessive generosity which, un- less checked by common sense, swiftly runs into combination of maudin slob- Der and boastful charity. The quality of mercy, deteriorates into something that de grades both the giver and the receiver.
 The German people deserve no tender other Allied peoples. They do deserve jus tice. It has been wisely said recently by prominent American that mercy without justice is even more injurious than justice without mercy.
 Justice should be observed in dealing with the German people. But the other peoples deserve justice also.
 The world will soon be on famine ra- tions There need be no doubt that mil lions of individuals are doomed to die of hunger The best that the civilized nations can do will not enable them to reach all the stricken ones. If the German people had sooner quit their effort to rob other na- tions there would have been chance to produce more food this year. Now the worlds millions must get along with what they have
 Are the Belgians and the French and the Russians and the Rumanians to be starved in order that the Germans may be fed?
 The German people see the specter of famine and are bowling already. The al-