Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-08-21
FALSE SELF1C CONFIDENCE AND
INDIFFERENCE WORST FOE

Soldier in France Discusses Desir-
ability of Closer Psychologist
cal Connection with
Home Folks.
Citizens of Willmar:
l shall take this opportunity to
write you a letter. Let us call it
an annual letter as it may be an.
other year before write you again,
probably longer. will admit that to
me it is subject Of some specula-
ton whether any Of you ever care to
hear from me. But never mind that
Dear Fellow Citizens; Coming back?
of course am coming back and you
will all get chance to square your
grievances. Suppose I should not
come back-you would no doubt,
be very generous in your thoughts
But, since one does not necessarily
need to be bishop to know some
thing of the sins and frailties of hui
manity, often wonder whether those
Of you who were so entirely bitter in
your denuc1atiOns really merit any
praise.
Now, if you will pardon my outbreak
per above, which however l think
you deserve, will tell you some
thing very vital to our successful
and efficient prosecution of the war.
How many times have l wished that
some of our public men, not merely
military chiefs, could come over and
see what we have seen; possibly go
through the experiences that many
Of us have gone through. The reason
is plain. Just as military communi-
cations are all-important to an army
so is the kind of war that we are
waging essentially a war of, for, and
by Democracy. The psychological con-
nection-the union in thought and
feeling, and consequently in purpose
must always be kept open. This un-
ion between the fighting men and
those who probably are carrying on q
far more heroic task at home is as
vital to our success as is the uninter
rupted flow of supply and munitions.
You, no doubt, hear it said that
America is awake She Is; but not
wide awake. AS a people l believe
the non-combatant Americans have
wholly responded, but they do not
realize the enOrmity of the task be-
fore u.s. l could write reams, recount
ing some of the exploits of American
genius, resourcefulness and hard
working grit, behind the lines as we'll
as at the front, which would make
the most soulless Stacker proud to be
an American. But it would not be
passed. Not is not my purpose to
attack the censorship, for nothing Is
more vital or necessary than secrecy,
regulated by military necessity; a
censorship, which will conceal GER
tain facts liable to assist the enemy.
and which will resolutely prevent
cowardice, false statements, and any
thing tending to impair, much less
break down morale. However, so far
in practice, it has succeeded in doing
with our psychological communities
tions what the enemy hoped to do
and failed, with our military COM
munications. In France it is different;
the Poilus are coming and going on
permission. This is out of question
with us; from the front to Paris can
me made easily on three days leave,
but we have a broad Atlantic between
our people and our peoples army.
We are the only nation so situated,
so it would follow that we adjust our.
selves accordingly. The Atlantic can
not be shortened, but the censorship
can, should, and must be, If we as
people expect to fulfill our hopes with
out appalling and useless tragedy.
This Is Macedonian cry, and the
message that can pass Is "Cheer
Up" we'll beat them. At best 1t will
not be walk over. We have to deal
with the most devilish pride and OBJ
stinancy ever known, but American
bravery, dash, courage and organiza-
ton will face the task; and though
it is great one they will do it. All
we want is the whole hearted support
Of the people at home-not merely a
few, nor even a majority, but every
body-all who call themselves Amerf-
cans. There is, belive, little fear of
open rebellion or secret treason; in
difference and false self confidence
these are worse enemies than all the
Kaiser's armies. All Of which would
be superfluous and insulting If per-
sonal.