Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-13
Why We Are Going Across

our great state runs every railway artery
connecting the country 1t is the coal
supply house without which industry and
war must fail. 1t is the center of the iron
and steel industry vital to the nation at
war. It's Bethlehem's Frankfort's s, powder
plants, munition works, ship yards and
varied industries could be most complete
ly crippled. No place could an enemy
deliver more crushing blow.
We do not care to transplant the revolt
ing pictures of Belgium and Northern
France to our own Pennsylvania nor to
contemplate the ruin of our homes, the
murder of our loved ones, the raping of
our mothers, wives and sisters, the en-
Shaving of the aged and young, who in
times of war are left to the mercy of the
invader. The blood boils at the thought.
Though the map may say Pennsylvania
and Northern France are 1000 miles apart
they are side by side in German intent, in
trigue and diabolical purpose. The river
of blood in Europe and not German lack
of desire or our own preparedness until
now has kept these scenes from US. 1t is
not as vivid to fight in France for the
defense of Pennsylvania, but it is just as
real
And now the emphasis on the "are."
Why we ARE going over. A sum
mary of the war situation gives the an
| swers. We are going over-perhaps soon
er than we think. Today Germany is
practically victorious and in a more DOW
erfui position in comparison with our al
lies than at any time since turned back
on the Marne German armies are VIC
torious everywhere except on the west
front. 1t is not peSSimiSIm to review facts
colby, overlooking the seas, as the issue
for victory for US must be on land Bel
Club and Northern France devastated
and overrun, in the enemys hands, Serbia
obHterated Roumania crushed Russia de-
leated, and collapsed. The last great war
| development was the attack on Italy
Wnefe IN three weeks German Austrian
armies disastrously defeated Italy. wipine.
' oIte lazy TWO years of gains and over
running vast territory until winter stop
peu ten campaign; a blow to the allied
cause that shook the west front by pull
ing armies and masses of guns to italy
IN TWO years on the west front 1000 600
nave been killed and wounded and the
lnes have nowhere changed in actual
hght1ng more than few miles
AT the present time, Germany with Rus
sla out, has concentrated for a great
spring drive before Americas aid can be
rlgntly felt. This battle will soon be on.
Gerard, our ambassador who returned
at the outbreak of the war, SAYS it is an
error error TO believe the, German people viii
teYoH; he declares they will not. Ger
many, ne says, has a years food and will
not De starved out, and this was before
me peace with Ukraine which opens
Southern Russia to help feed GERMANY
President Wilson in 4yecember told HE
senate German armies are as vet un-
peaten. Military critics expect Germany
20 MAKE some progress this year. In neu-
!foI countries German money rate is ris-
ing, an indication that they believe the
Germans viii be successful
CIlted states, eXerting great effort now,
IS planning for 1919 We are just start
ing to build ships. Browning machine
guns are contracted for first delivery in
July. War industries are lust e.etfing
STARTED A few battle planes, our first
gre only now on their way to France orr
neld armies will not be ready this wear
Inc war and navy departments are plan
hlng Tor several years of war
we hear of peace talk 1t can he of no
result. ~ Germany believes herself victori-
Gus. me Allies believe they can defeat
German, there can be no agreement and
Wlth tn most necessary thing in the world
Tor uS-the defeat of Germany-the war
must go to a decision 81
we are going over. We will be in the
timex OF real fighting in the worlds most
cruel; oloodiest war. We win test With
our lives. at stake the training we are
now nov receiving. We may well be alive to
me me task that is on this generation as in
Qther periods of our history it came to
those who acquitted themselves well we
gre now at training camp 5000 miles
from the battle front, but we are eoinp
over as surely as if the battle line was
alohg the savannah river, and it win he
Iof a Dig Job and as our highest aim we
might well adopt the words of Paine at
. me tlne OF the Revolutionary War
Ihank Cod for this crisis, it gives us the
opportunity to show that we are men y
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