East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-04-02
BY G p. STRAIN

Let us in fancy roll up the eastern
sky line eliminating time and space
so that we shall stand amid the gas
fumes and the deluges OF angry metal
upon the Western fighting line where
We can grasp through our all senses
the fun tragedy of its horrors. Let
us hear as our boys over there are
hearing the thunders of battle, and
feel as they are feeling the very earth
toss and tremble like ship in storm
under the awful impact of numberless
guns in stupendous action. Let us
see as they are seeing shell torn cities
and ruined country sides within the
zone of fire. Let our hearts go out
as theirs have gone to the outraged
People of the bleeding allied nations
where wounds and death and gloom
have been thrust upon millions of un-
offending families; and let us learn
as they have learned the cruel purpose
and the brutal methods of the sinister
monarchs who forced this clamity up
on protesting world.
Then let us assume those allied lines
of Belgium and Italy and France
broken; their brave defenders scatter
ed, decimated, destroyed. There has
come in other wars a supreme hour
when the winning side inflicted
death wound upon the opposing army
and such has settled for centuries at
a time the fate of whole peoples, and
SO the hand of doom may hang sus-
pended over our heads at this moment.
Since Americas entry into the war
there can be no question that the issue
has come to be the rule of might by
hereditary despots VS.. the rule of right
by enfranchised peoples. It follows,
therefore. that a decisive blow either
iberate or enslave; allied victory libe-
rationg the oppressed, and German
victory enslaving the free.
1t is not conceivable to the Ameri-
can mind that any other power or all
of them together could crush this re-
public. Assuming that they could not
the fact of their purpose to do so
would transform us, diverting our
mighty energies from the ways of
peace to those of war, thereby rob-
sPing us of that sweet security which
comes from assurance of international
justice.
But let us suppose Italy, France and
England beaten and disarmed, with
Germany triumphant, her navy aug
mented by the surrendered navies of
her conquered European foes and
their artillery added to hers, then there
there is no denying that we should
have to fight for our very existance,
That we would fight to the bitter end
is attested by the history of each ana
every war in our past. In a contest
such as might result from the mastery
n f.ar II, L,
would surpass our own. unless by
timely negotiation we should acquire
the allied fleets prior to allied surren-
der.
With superior navy she would
give the alternative of paying bill
ions upon billions of indemnity or of
having our great seaport cities batter
ed into duin. We should have to
withdraw beyond the reach of her
naval guns and remain there isolated
from oversee communication and
oversee markets until such time as we
could construct along our inland wat
ers navy strong enough to expel her. |
She could occupy Canada and Mexi- !
co and possibly land troops directly |
upon our shores where she could at
tack us by land. Such are the dangers |
which threaten us, and therefore we
must as matter of self presarva- |
ton, regardless of former sympathies, |
get behind this war with oil our might |
and speed while the allied powers of |
Europe are yet unbroken. To support |
lt with all the money that we have
and all that we can save without ac- /
tual want is the cheapest contribution |
that we can make; and yet the most |
helpful, owing to lack of ships to |
transport American soldiers and mu-
nitions abroad.
1t may be that another decisive bat
tie impends, that the hour of doom |
hangs this minute in the balance over
the world and that our good American |
dollars invested freely now in Liberty |
bonds will avert disater. We are not /
of the heart Pangs that dis
-ress those among us who have blood |
relations in the armies of the enemy. |
Neither would we Withhold from them /
of the splendid part |
that Teutonic blood has played in the |
Droseprity of this noble republic. But |
We owe it to ourselves, to them, and |
10 mankind to insist that they assumed |
Voluntarily, an dto their own advant- /
age, a place among US; and that they
lid so, in large numbers, to escape |
oppression at home.
This country is our country and /
heir country. None of us can suffer
alone. All who remain here must