The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-28
GERMANY MUST REPAY.

Los Angeles Tribune: The devasta-
ton wrought in France and in other
countries by the Germans should be
repaired the buildings and the
property destroyed by German van
dals should be paid for, but simple
Justice demands that the cost shall
fall upon Germany. 1t is not the
business of America or Of Americans
to rebuild the ruined cities of France,
but it is their business to see to it
that the nation which destroyed these
cities also shall rebuild them. Con-
tribuuons by American citizens TO
assist in the restoration of French
cities destroyed by Germans is not a
kindly act toward France, but. in eff
feet is merely to assist Germany
discharge the debt she owes to
France.
Germany must be taught that what
she tears down she also must build
up; that which she destroys wanton-
ly and in furtherance of her doctrine
of terrorism and frightfulness she
must pay for to the last cent. Ger
many, so far as is possible, must
right the wrongs she has committed.
If this is not done, then there can
be no permanent peace in the world
or security for any nation save such
dS III may Ue dole 10 SuloECS lHiouSh
its own might.
Today the whole world is fighting
to destroy the German doctrine that
:saight vsSoS--~- 3D. ( .loct.dus
cannot be destroyed unless In the
settlements which must come with
the close of the conflict Germany un-
dertakes to do those things which are
right, lit is right and just that Ger.
many should, so far as is within her
eAsa rebllild thee faces she has
| laIo waste. Unless Germany attempts
| to make PREPARATION for the wrongs
which she has committed in her ar
rogance and in her might, then there
can be no triumph or right over
might.
1t is desirable that the wanton de-
struction committed by the Germans
be repaired, but it is still more iu-
portant that the reparation besmade
by the Germans. To assist in com
| polling such reparation the United
States now is at war with Germany.
| What we seek from Germany is JUS
] tice, not only for ourselves, but for
all other peoples. Germany will not
learn that she must deal fairly and
{ justly with other nations and other
/ peoples if we pay her debts for her.
| Germany must pay her own debts. 1t
(! is not right that the innocent be
made 10 suffer for the guilty.
| Now being at war with Germany,
our principal business is to win the
war. To achieve a victory so neces-
| sary for the peace and safety of our
selves and all the rest of the world,
we need to husband all our resources.
Our men, our money and the prod
ucts of our toll all must be devoted
to the triumph of the righteous cause
TO which we are devoted. Upon the
fidelity with which we perform our
part depends whether or not the
world shall be made safe for free
peoples seeking TO develop their own
civilization under their own institu
tons and in no way encroaching on
the rights or privileges of other peo'
/ pies.
Until victory has been secured we
have no right to devote our energies
or our resources to other objects. We
must support this great cause with
our lives, our fortunes and all our
energies. To finance the war we
must buy Liberty bonds; we must
support the Red Cross. and all the
other organizations so nobly perform
ing their work in helping the men in
camp and in the trenches. We mus
increase our production of foodstuffs
and of war materials and solve prob
lens Of transportation and distribu
ton To this task we must bring ali
our energies. When they have been
accomplished: when victory shall
have come to ourselves and our al
lies as a result Of our efforts, the
places in France and elsewhere laid
waste by the vandals of the TWEEN.
tieth century will be restored by the
same hand that destroyed them. Tha;
Germany must rebuild that which
she has destroyed in pursuance of her
policy of frightfulness is not retri
button; it is merely justice.