Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-18
FRIDAY EVENING. OCTOBER 1s, 1918.
NOTHING LESS THAN THIS

NOTHING LESS THAN THIS
There are some things that the Allied powers cannot
permit themselves to do to Germany, not because Of their
solicitude for the sensibilities of the Germans. but out Of
regard for their self respect.
Whether by the capitulation Of the German armies
while they are still on foreign soil or by their being
beaten back into their own country. still fighting, by our
armies. there will presently come a time when German
territory will be entered by the Allied armies, or will be
open to such entry at the pleasure of their governments.
German cities, German farms, German homes and Ger
man people will be at the mercy Of our soldiers.
When that situation has been reached. we will be
withheld from doing many of the things the most ex-
IRENE of which could be but the mildest measure Of
retribution for injuries which have been caused by the
Germans. We cannot ravage the country; we cannot de-
stroy the cities; we cannot kill women and children: we
cannot kill for the sake of killing, nor destroy for the
sake Of destruction. And yet all these things, to say
nothing Of other crimes innumerable and unutterable,
have been committed by the Germans, without cause and
without provocation. and without contributing in the
slightest degree to the accomplishment of any legitimate
national or military purpose.
Laying aside all thought Of the ihfliction Of punish
sment for the sake of punishment, and in a spirit of re-
Nense' something in the nature of a lesson is needed by
the German people. and in the interest of the future OF
civilization. Germany began a war against the liberties
Of the world. She had planned and plotted, schemed and
arranged for it, and by virtue Of her malignant purpose
and sinister lforethought she was able at the outset to
launch a blow which carried the war far afield, and for
four long years the bloodtest tragedy in the history of
mankind has been in progress in lands whose people
sought only the ways Of peace while German soil has
been unstained by blood, and German homes have known
OF war only as it was carried on at a distance.
The most tremendous reprisals that could be con-
celved would be but rs a feather in the scale, and yet the
very humanity in whose name we have fought our battles
will not permit the firing of a building or the striking
Of a blow as an act Of revenge.
In a situation seemingly SO hopeless, what Is to be
done?
The German war lord will be dethroned and made
70 know the bitterness Of having shattered and ground
70 dust the ideals Of his life and the only thinrs that he
has worshipped. But that will not be sumcient
The German people. by whose government and in
whose name these wrongs have been perpetrated. will
have their toll of crippled men to serve as a reminder
Of the war. They will mourn the absence Of some mil
lions who went to the war, never to return. 1hey must
labor and sweat that the awful material burden of war
may be carried. and in time be %lightened. But that is
not enough The German people must be made to I'M
aerstand' as fully - considerations of humanity wilrper-
nit. what the actual and Visible presence Of war right
among them really means.
We cannot burn and ravish, but We can and should
march our armies through the German provinces, The
German people should be made familiar with the appear
ancs Of foreign soldiers on the streets Of their cities; With
foreign flags floating in triumph from their proudest
buildings; their local governments administered under
the direction Of foreign supervisors: their whole country
placed under the military rule of fore,sn generals ana
their own representatives awaiting the decision Of the
people whom they would have destroyed az to tho terms
pm which Germany may be permitted to exist, Germany
pc restored to Its own people. and the German people at
length may be permitted to go their way in peace.
The world is war-weary. It demands peace. But
JUS. as a peace that is worth while can be made possible
only oy the decisive victory Of the Allied armies in the
field. 80 the pernanence Of that peace can-pe MADE Sc
cure only by measures in which sternnes A wal, as
nnagnanimity shall have its place.