Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-08-28
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.
'(Des Moines Register

'(Des Moines Register.)
1t is hard to have any sort Of
patience with such newspapers as the
Chicago Tribune, which having start
ed out to prove that this country can
not handle war because it has not
followed the Tribune's advice, seizes
lowed the Tribune's advice, seizes
upon every little crumb Of unsatisfac-
tory news to belittle our amazing
achievements.
The Tribune is one Of the chief Of
the American newspapers that has
fairly exulted in every reported fail
ure of our airplane program. Within
"a few days it has said:
There are over 10000 sorely need
ed and now fully trained aviators wait
ing in this country because we have no
combat planes to carry them. That de-
lay is being paid for in American lives
on the battle front and the account is
not closed" .."
At the very time that this was being
printed, Lord Northcliffe was quoted
In London in praise of our American
airplane, The Associated Press re-
porting: ~
Lord Northcliffe touched on the
output of air engines in the United
States and declared that this was far
greater than the combined output Of
Austria and Germany, or Of the whole
British empire. The new American
Liberty motor he said, was wonder
full production. He estimated that the
United States could produce 10000
motors each month"
The Tribune asserts that: I'VE are
able to be in battle today because of
other peoples preparedness. A brain
THAT does not understand that now is
|driveling." And almost at the very
time this was said, Mr.. Roosevelt was
claiming in the Kansas City Star: eve
should provide so that two years after
we enter the war our army shall be
las large as Germany's, or Of the COM
bined forces Of our allies in France"
On the one side the Tribune arguing
that we are so helpless as to be the
pity of the world, and on the other a
call for part in this war to be won
from a Standing start in twenty-four
months, never before taken by any peo-
pie in any age. ...
It is strange that any American
newspaper should fail to understand
what Lord Reading had in mind when
In reporting to his home government
he said of American resources and
American utilization. of them:
"Since America has acquired know
ledge of the situation her material re-
sources, financial wealth and the
brains and force Of character of her
millions, in fact, all the physical and
moral forces of this giant among ma
tons, are turning in one direction
to the attainment of victory. Ameri-
cans are idealists, but they also are
business people. Having realized what
victory and failure will mean to hui
mainly, with their characteristic
ngle-mindedness and power of con-
centration, they are making the win
ming of the war their only business,
and, If I know anything of them, hay
ing undertaken the task they will per-
severe until their object is achieved"
Lord Reading will hardly be accused
Of driveling and yet what does he en-
phasize as Americas great source of
strength for the war? He does not |
lame thing the Tribune harps about.
lie names material resources, f1nan-
.ial wealth, brains and force of char
letter, single mindedness, power of
Single mindedness he
Qualities with the word character
stic," making it peculiarly an Ameri-
AN asset. ...
It is one of the most remarkable !
eatures of remarkable situation |
hat not foreign observer has spoken
# the things newspapers like the
Tribune make so much over. The hue
nd cry about American deficiency Is
IL confined to this little group of
american newspapers and to the lit
lie group of congressman they repre-
ent
If the Chicago Tribune is to meas
re up in any degree to the opportuni-
y it has in the Mississippi valley it
1ust enlarge its horizon. The Trib-
ne is in another way just where the
Id Inter-Ocean was fifty years ago.
oseph Medill did not win the Chicago
cid for the Tribune fifty years ago
y narrow, dogmatic, half-baked
ditorial policy. His successors have