Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-01
THE Evening Star Newspaper Company
18th st. and Pennsylvania Avenue.
1918.

With the dawning of New Year come
hopes that within the twelvemonth peace
will return to the earth. The struggles
pf the past three years and a half have
: cost so terribly, have ravaged SO ruth
|ssly lands once prosperous and happy
ave slain so many men in battle, and
have led to the slaughter of so many
nnocents in barbaric reprisals that il
would seem that the end must surely
be near at hand. Yet there is nc
Iprayer for peace in this country save
FOR peace in victory, peace that will
endure, peace that will bring safety
to the world as we'll as mere cessation
of hostilities.
Momentous changes have occurred dur
ing the past year. Russia alone has
presented a spectacle of revolution and
reaction that would mark the year as
one of the most memorable in history
apart from the events of the war itself
It has passed from absolute autocracy
to a democratic state that is free almost
to the point of anarchy. The supposed
~ irresistible power of the Romanoffs
has been destroyed as by a breath, and
now a new force has been created in Rus
eia, the effect of which is not yet to be
measured. A peace has been practically
negotiated that removes Russia as war
factor and unquestionably strengthens
Germany for a longer resistance to the
power of the entente, though German
victory is impossible.
For ourselves We have taken the step
that for three years seemed to many
Inevitable, a step that when the issues
came could not be avoided with honor
or with safety. We are now at war, not
in an academic sense, but actually, with
our forces in the field, with our full re-
sources under organization to present
the utmost power Of America on the
sighting line as means to "make the
world safer for democracy"
Revolutionary changes have been eff
fected here by our entrance into the
war. We have adopted with little de-
ny and slight demur system of uni
versal military service; we have placed
cur living necessities under federal con-
troll and administration; we have
brought the railroad systems of the
eountry together under government man
sgement. These things have been ac-
eomplished almost In routine provision
for the successful execution Of our war
sEission.
Our complex population has adjusted
with unexpected ease to the entrance
of the country into the war. There have
been efforts at resistance here and there,
and there have been plots and schemes
against the public welfare, inspired by
loyalty to the enemy. But in the main
our people have accepted the national
position as correct and have supported
st. We have made long stride toward
that naturalization that America so
greatly needs.
Oui war worn uds Uecu accomplished
with remarkable smoothness considering
The fact that we started practically from
. standstiI. For years no heed was
paid to the petition Of those who fore
0sw the necessity Of American prepared.
Aess. When the need came it had TO be
enet instantly. There have been delays
and difficulties, confusion and blunders
but in view Of all the circumstances the
marvel is that we have accomplished GO
tnneh and have at this hour SO few rea.
Sons for regret, save for the loss Of valu,
able time after warning was sounded in
Europe three and half years ago
America faces the year in a spirit OF
Faith. There is no faltering. In every
part Of the country the righteousness
Of the nations cause in the world va,
IS profoundly felt, and disposition is
manifest on all sides 10 proceed to the
task that has been set without thought OF
the sacrifices entailed, with no drawing
back, but with a spirit of confidence in
D victory that viii make the world bet
Ter and spare humanity from the menace
bf ruthless dominion by selfish, bar
barrie force.