The Prescott daily news., 1918-07-03
Why We Fight
 No. ( Because German Lust of Conquest Menaces in Many Ways Our Very National Existence
By CLARENCE l.. SPEED Secretary of the War Committee of tn, Union League Club of Chicago

De Sufilclent JuStlhcati0n for this na. tion taking up arms. Only extreme patience, coupled, often, with complete failure to recognize the seriousness of the German menace to America and the world, kept the United States out of the war for nearly three years be- fore it finally decided to join in. In fact Justification for war with Ger many existed years before the conflict in Europe was begun.
 It has been shown that Germany, for years, had been plotting within our borders, encouraging immigrants to became citizens and at the same time remain faithful to the kaiser. She filled our land with spies and agents ward appearances, relations between America and Germany, were of the most friendly character.
 From evidence supplied by the Ger mans themselves, it has been shown that Germany's doctrine that might alone is right would menace the very independence of the United States just as surely as it destroyed that of Ser bia and Belgium, just as soon as Ger many felt herself strong enough to make a formal attack. German lust of conquest knew no bounds.
 Events of the last year have proven that Germany, having split the world in half by her creation of Mitteleu- ropa, extending from the Baltic almost to the Persian gulf, was planning to devour the halves separately. The fact that our half of the world was being reserved for dessert was all the more reason why we should enter the war while part. at least, of the other half was still making resistance.
 Finally, when the collapse of Russia revealed the fact that Germany was fighting, not a war of self-preserva- tiop, but one of conquest pure and simple, and that the freedom of the entire world was menaced, any ques- tion of why we are fighting seemed supertuous.
 The military party in Germany start ed the war because it believed the time ripe for conquest.
 Proof that ambition, and not consid- eration of its own safety, prompted Germany to begin the war is given by the fact that Serbia and Belgium, two helpless little nations, were the first attacked.
 Germany had under no compulsion, signed a solemn treaty to protect the neutrality of Belgium. When she branded this treaty "a scrap of paper" she gave proof that all her treaties would be so considered when her in- terests demanded. In other words, Germanys invasion of Belgium meant the tearing up of every treaty which existed between Germany and other nations. It was ample justification for America going to war at that moment. This did not spur America at the time, but Germanys cruelties in Bel gium, surpassing anything ever before known in modern history, gave further evidence that the world was not safe as long as such a government existed l in it.
 Then came Germany's conduct on the sea- With her battletieet cravenly | seeking shelter behind the defenses of the Kiel canal, Germany sent out her | submarines and began war on un- armed merchantmen. Women and chll- l dren were her victims. American clti' zens by the score went down to death l on the Lusitania. The United States made a protest, and Germany promised | to mend her ways. This she did, for
 a time. until she could build fleet of | bigger and better submarines. and then her pirate sea warfare broke out with
 fresh vigor. How could we keep out of war when Germany, after ruthleSsly killing our citizens, deliberately closed | the sea to us?
 German plotters and spies, under | the direct leadership of the German
 ambassador to this country, worked
 almost openly, blowing up industrial
 plants sinking ships in our harbors | and menacing railroads and canals.
 Germany, spurred by successes
 openly began to announce plans TOT | disciplining the United States. She
 scoffed at the Monroe doctrine. and tried to create German state 10
 Brazil which, in time would be strong
 enough to bring about revolution and
 overthrow democratic government
 there.
 By her huge armaments, her disre'
 gard of treaties, and her evident re liance on force alone, Germany was
 rapidly making the world an unsafe
 place in which to live forcing all oth'
 CT nations to adopt the military sys' tenn, or be at her mercy.