The sun., 1918-07-03


anachronsm it so at variance with all the currents
of modern civilization, that the American people fora
long time simply refused to believe that so intelligent
nation as Germany could contemplate its bloody
programme
Only by repeated acts of the most devilish malig-
nifty the real purpose of the German Govern
ment finally driven home to the consciousness OF this
nation.
When at last war was declared by our Govern
ment, the Hearst papers realized what such action
would mean
They saw that successfully to combat the i'm
mense German military machine with its hordes of
men long trained to subservence, going to take
asupreme effort of strength the part of the United
States 1t going to call for our last resources
OF men, OF money and OF courage.
The feeling long fingered in the minds of many
that this war could be won by exerting only part
Of our power. They moderated Germany, they over
rated the Allies.
They thought that the mere announcement of
Americas entrance INTO the war would mean the
collapse of the enemy. They did not realize his
desperation.
The Hearst papers, however, from the first knew
that no half measures would avail If America
to strike it must strike with the full strength of its
arm, with the last ounce of power in its brain and
Drawn
The Hearst papers, therefore, were insistent from
be wasted in the attempt to secure volunteer army
They urged the draft
They saw that the true theory of democracy in
time of is that every citizen must be supposed
to place his life and his fortune at the disposal of his
country, that it is not question of willingness to
volunteer.
When the existence of democratic nation is at
stake, no man should be exempt.
The Hearst papers, therefore, exerted their full
influence in favor of consumption. They circulated
petitions throughout the country. and presented
petition to Congress with than two million
signatures, praying for the passage of the Seectivc
Consumption act.
In both of the political parties in Congress the
lead rs opposed universal service. They were not
awake to what war means They still fatuously
hoped to please that considerable body of American
public opinion which so dreaded war and hestated
to enter in
The Hearst papers saw the inevitable. What
they saw has been demonstrated by time and the
unfolding OF events
All the world sees now that the winning of the
depends upon the entry of Americas full power.
France and England are stubbornly holding the
foe while they await our reinforcements.
The country is at last awakening. We have
been forced to believe the unbelievable and against
the dark powers of destruction we are rapidly rally
ing our full strength.
united public opinion is essential to victory
in war as ships and soldiers. Back of the fighting
fist must be fighting heart. Back of the operations
in the field and of the navy upon the there
must be an uncomfortable spirit at home.
The only way by which this spirit can be main
tanned in democratic state is through the press
The newspaper is the nervous system of republic
If the newspapers are feeble and temporzirg the
effect will be shown in weakened condition of the
public mind.
If the newspapers quareirg among them
selves or constantly criticizing the Administration
there can be wholehearted support from the
populace.
The Hearst papers have bent every energy
toward swinging the last man, woman and child in
the United States into line to make the power of this
great nation Enthusiastically felt
They have realized their responsibility to the
country, to the world at large, and to Destiny.
The ore thing that Germany fears to-day is the
power of the United States. Germany is not ignor-
ant of our inexhaustibe resources. There
millions of Germans in this country, there were mill
ions of dollars of German capital in this country.
Through these, as we'll as through it's spy system,
Germany has known from the beginning what it
would mean when America entered the war.
She only hoped against time. She trusted in
her power to smash the allied opposition before
Americas strength could be nobilized. She believed
that her insdious propaganda could dssipate Amer
ica's energy. She deluded herself with the fiction