Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-03-28

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lleVe is known as a soap box. [ noticed
the number of these orators grew. l
stopped one evening to listen to one of
them in the negro quarter. He was
talking a lot OF excitable rubbish. In
one part of his discourse he evinced
unexpected sympathy for the down
trodden Irish farmer, who is notably.
by the way among the most prosperous
of farmers.
The American giant paused one day
IN mis- war preparations, issued SOM
kind of police order. and there was an
end to pacifism.
A shrewd British friend OF mine who
has lived here many years remarked
the other day that it took n long time
to get Uncle Sam into the a but Ia
it may take a much longer time 10 get
him out.
Already. after barely five months of
preparation. the United States have
close upon q 1,5oo,o 900 soldiers under
going intensive training for their task.
The regular army was brought up to
its full strength by voluntary enlist.
ment. The national guard, a state mill
tia, was filled up by the same means
until it numbered 500, 900. Then came
scription act; this gave between coo. 900
and 700,0 COG more.
For the training and upkeep of this
force and the provision of all that it
will require in the field, sums of money
haVe been voted which make ones brain
reel. For airplane construction $780,
100000 have been appropriated. Upon
merchant shipbuilding $1,134, 500, 900 is
to be spent. A naval appropriation of
$3.50, 000, 900 for the building of Destroy
ers a been commenced. One arrnor
plate and projectile plant at South
Charleston will soak up s22, 900, 900. In
all, the war expenditure of the United
L 4 Tor, s1,~-1v a. ,.-1 80
SS,OoO,0O0 a day, and loans to the allies
account for another s12,O00,0O0 every
"a hours. The war machine gathers
momentum as it travels. Its ramifica-
lions are bewildering. Scarcely a day
passes without some fresh and startling
proof Of it's force.
The American characteristics in war
seem to be two, firstly, what looks like
undue elaboration, and then, before you
are ready for it, as a bolt from the
blue, Il smashing blow.
Know Little of u. S. Politics.
We know little of United States poll
tics in Europe. Probably not one En-
glish or French reader in a score I'M
derstands that the democrats (radicals)
are in power and the republicans (con-
servatives) in opposition. The system
so far is rather like u own, but the
head OF the nation is a president whose
character appears to me to be a mix
ture of Scottish caution and ~tenacity
with American uneNpectedness.
Witness the reply to the pope. When
cables from Europe contained mealy-
mouthed meanderings from continental
newspapers outlining all kinds of sug-
gested temporizing replies to his ho!i-
ness, suddenly came an altogether an
expected bang from the White House at
Washington; the whole miasma Of
pacifism and all the rantings from soap
boxes We're at an end. My republican
friends. naturally critical of persons
and things democratic, shared the
nationwide joy in the presidents re-
ply. AS with the well-meant papal
peace offerings, so with the embargo.
-meaning European statesmen
have too long provided the German
armies with materials for making shot
and powder and with food through
greedy and gain-loving neutrals. The
American mind wondered why. I went
one day to have q look at an American
transport sailing for Europe, in which
the soldier boys clustered like bees in
swarming time. incidentally my guide
showed me a great numbe of neutral
ships loading up with grain for Ger
many. There came another bang from
the big gun at Washington. The ships
are still here.
l should not be surprised if they
eventually helped to carry food to the
American armies in France and to Bel
GUM. / am very certain they will not
carry one grain Of wheat to Germany
The right Of neutrals to prolong the
war is not conceded by the United
States. The American mothers who
are sending their boys to face sub
marines in the tlantic and high ex-
plosives in the trenches have no sloppy
sentiment for Sweden or Spain. They
are sorry for Holland, but the motto
America first" though not perhaps
always suited to an alliance, is un-
doubtedly a formidable war weapon
when put into operation with the dras-
tic suddenness characteristic Of Ameri-
can mentality in war time.
:, Are Proud of Sammies.
American troops. whose physique is
at present much the best in the war
are regarded by their onlookers with
interest, affection and pride. Theil
mission is far too serious a one for wild
hurrahing such as we heard during the
South African and the Spanish wars
Summed up in one word, the attitude
of the American people and their sol
diers seems to me to be-EIarnestness
If any other word be necessary thor
oughness might be added.
The world has heard something of the
evolution Of what is known as the u. S
A. or Liberty ~air-engine. The full
story of the development of this prac-
teal and now tested motor sums uI
many of the most marked traits in the
American war character. 1t is the
product Of enthusiasm put to the RICH,
purpose.
There is probably no moro highly or
lganized industry in the world than the
manufacture of American motor car
Despite the keen competition that has
enabled Americans, rich and poor alike
to have automobiles. cooperation and
Il 4 49, s-~ S~~ H. fool -~~