South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-24
Other Editors Than Ours
THE SUPREME COMMANDER.
Washington Post. Ind. Rep

The fate of Europe hangs upon America. This fact is
admitted 10y every allied statesman and soldier II has
not been admitted by Germany. but as the western front
moves back toward Berlin no admission from German
will be necessary. Upon American steadfastness. amph-
tude of preparation. and clear sighted vision depend the
outcome of the war and the adjustments which VIII
make peace satisfactory and permanent II is impossible
for America to shift the responsibility that is daily be-
coming more apparent.
The war maneuvers Of the allies are supposed 10 he
originated and directed by the supreme war council OF
Versailles. acting through Gen. Foch, supreme com
good work. despite limitations which cannot he re-
moved. Gen. Foch as universally praised for his brilliant
strategy, and no one dreams Of suggesting that his au-
thority be curtailed. ON the contrary. the Americans AS
wen AS British are slsd To obey orders emanatins from
this master military mind.
But the war does not consist ONLY i'm military plans
and their execution. Influences Of immense importance
arc 40 work outside OF the scope OF authority Of the
allied war council and Gen. Foch. Political. economic.
racial. financial. geographical and PSYCHOLOGICAL fac
tors. to name only a few. are quite beyond the purview
of Gen. Foch. whose duty rs principally 60 maueUNer
the allied armies on the western front Yet these factors
are thrust daily before the attention OF Prest Wilson
and he cannot ignore any Of them i'm formulating the
plans which the United States rs adopting for the par
pose Of winning the war. III there were an iuter-aihed
duties might Toe uehtened considerably. hut there is
no such council. and perhaps IT is impracticaoie TO or
ganize one.
The United states must contribute the power that is
20 be the 6naI stroke I'm this war. This nation cannot
delegate that duty. nor could a supreme council con
tribute much OF value 20 the nation plans Prest VII
son. Co All intents and purposes. is the United states
government i'm this war. II is he who stands ~ the
bridge. day and night. directing the ship OF state. He
must give the word IL the course is altered in the slight
est degree. Congress supplies the motive power IN open
ing the nations purse and delivering the sword 20 the
presidents hand. but the conduct OF affairs remains
with him and cannot be referred 20 others
The. president Of the United States has a right to COM
nand the loyal support Of eNerH citizen Any American
who withholds from Woodrow Wilson the whOlehearted
support that Is necessary Boa war IS Withholding il from
the United states government and from the Flag u is
and unnecessary 10 separate Woodrow VII
son the man from Woodrow Wilson the president.
Toward the man. hurdened with the nation and the
worlds problems. there Is due q warm personal SYM
pathy and cordial good will Toward the president. the
executive arm OF the nation. there is due that LOYALTY
that asks no questions and stops at nothing in the quick
execution. OF any task assigned.
The increasing Importance Of the United states as "a
lighting factor means the increasing responsibility of
Prest Wilson in directing the national policy. Every
citizen should bear this iu mind when about to- in
dulee in complaint against some minor fault in the
preparation or operation of the national war strength.
In the long run the conduct OF the war on the allied side
person. All the allied nations recognize this. and are
more than willing TO cooperate according 10 the final
Huasment OF the United states As this judgment
emanates from its chief magistrate 70 would re worse
than foolish. when allied nations We're loyalty cooperat-
ing with the president for Americans themselves 10 in
dulee IN unnecessary OF unprecedented debates on the
wisdom or polio, ~ measures adopted hy the president
rs ommander-in-Chie 10 should also ne bered
that military and political policies I'm war times are
rarely disclosed in FUN until after they have been exc
.cuted. and therefore criticism 81 these measures while
the, arc developing IS usually ba-si on insufficient cr
wholly erroneous Information.