Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-25
With Other Editors
Watch the Enemy.


celebrate peace with Germany? Are they that
the wild beast is tanned well shacked? The
proposition to feed Germany, because Germany ap-
pears to be reformed and harmless is certainly start
ling There should be some more convincing evil
dence Of Germanys reformation before the people of
the United States begin to expend their sympathy
upon the people who but lately celebrating the
slaughter of and children
The Russians are natural friends of Americans,
and now the Russian people by millions facing
death by starvation Where is the agonizing wall
for them? Where is the DR.. Solf who appeals fran
ticaIIy for food for the Russians? Russia
the allies and despite the devilish schemes the
Germans and the bolshevki. Russia is still at heart
friendly to America and determined to find the road
to ordered liberty. Yet in Russia there war
and American soldiers may be in that country for
many months before peace is finally obtained. II
the Germans successful in of their plans,
the Russian bolsheviki will make Russia caldron
OF helIbroth for years to come. The allied troops
are there aid the Russians extricate themselves
from the net of the Germans But the bolsheviki
are such a stubborn combination Of stupidity mall
evidence and treason. and opportunities Ger
man intrigue numerous, that the allies are
badly handicapped in their work of reconstruction
in Russia.
Who is so confident Of the genuineness of German
reform that he can assert that the Germans have
ceased their propaganda in Russia? Who show
that the Germans are actually, in good faith pre-
pairing to move out of Russia, bag and baggagc'
For piece Of superficial evidence indicating that
the Germans are reconciIed to the loss of Russia
that powerful German interests are at this moment
hurriedly extending their grasp in Russia, with no
visible intention of complying with the terms of
the armistice. in letter in spirit the dis
guse OF individual action, financial transac-
lions apparently innocent. the Germans are rapidly
absorbing all that IS worth while in Russia
Before jumping to the conclusion that the pres
ent armstice necessarily means immediate salts
factory peace with the enemy, it should be borne
in mind that during the last four years every
cial act Of the persons representing Germany any
capacity has been an act OF fraud. evasion false
hood and crime. Germany has built up standard
a moment The world has paid terrible price in
life and property for the lesson it was forced to
Iearn-the lesson that Germany was destitute of
honor of word or deed. Is that lesson now to be
forgotten, merely because the Germans take on the
appearance of free people and send out frantic ap-
Deals for food? How free are they, and how comes
it that they free? Why are they hungry? II
they should chance to deal treacherous blow.
would the change Of government stop them? If they
could rob other peoples OF food. would they not do
it? Their appeal itself has in it ruthless selfish
ness that gives heed to the greater sufferings of
nations that they lately ravaged.
Bolsheytsm may work havoc in Germany one
of the arguments advanced in favor OF granting
the Germans is that it will save them from
bolshevism and thus enable them establish ordered
government and go ahead with the work Of repaying
their nations they outraged That is a plaust-
Bile arguments plausible indeed that it may have
been made in Germany Certainly the Germans will
not be slow to utilize it, and perhaps at this moment
tho dumb show of anarchy" and red guards IN
Germany is staged to brighten the allies into ready
release Of food caFgoes.
The Germans are capable Of any kind of treach-
cry They will bosheVist if it suits their pur-
pose or they viii squelch the red guards within an
hour il there is something to be gained at the ex-
Douse Of other countries In the meantime it is
only prudent to scrutnize everything emanating
from Germany and to resolve all doubts in favor
Of the allies and against The Germans If the Ger
people suffer because OF this attitude of skept-
cizm, they have themselves to blame. They have
taught the world to be cautious in dealing with the
Post