Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-06-07
SURFE|T GERMANS
WITH WAR, URGES
SEC'Y LANSING
Even the Germs of Prussianism
Must be Destroyed, He Tells
Columbia Students.
CALLS CRITICS "SCOLDS"

New York, June PRUSSIA wickedly
sought war asserted Secretary of State
Lansing in an address at Columbia Uni
versity' commemorative nesday, ''and
Prussia shall have war, and more war,
and more war. until the very thought of
war is abhorrent to the Prrssian mind.
so | read the spirit of America. -
| read the supreme purpose of the Allies.
Victory lies before us. and beyond victory
n Just and enduring peace Until that
peace is sure. America cannot and Will not
put aside the sword.
NO EAR FOR PEACE PROPOSALS.
Mr.. Lansing's pronouncements were
made al the luncheon of the Alumni,
which followed the comforting of honor
arv degrees on him, Lord Reading, the
British Ambassador, and several others.
Mr.. Lansing. cheered often. stirred his
listeners to greatest enthusiasm when he
said:
1T is the supreme task of civilization
TO put an end to Prussanlsm 10 listen 70
proposals for Prlssian peace, to compro-
mise with the butchers of individuals and
OF nations so that they would, by agree
ment. gain a benefit from their crimes,
would he to compound an International
felony. which this Republic Will never do.
BY FORCE, THE ONLY WAY.
'Force Is the one way 10 end Prus-
sianism, for it Is the only thing that
the PrusSian respects. This war for
democracy must he waged 10 a sue
cessful conclusion, 10 make liberty and
Justice supreme in the earth. 1t Will be 4
bitter struggle. with lights and shadows.
for the foe is strong and stubborn; but in
The end we shall triumph for we must
triumph or abandon all that i worth
while in this world
Mr.. Lansing. who called the Germans
'plunderers. the English tenacious
warriors and the Italians superb,
mentioned our affection" for France and
complimented the RelgIans on their in
domitable spirit and the Serbs for their
gallant deeds and noble sacrifice.
MUST PERISH by SWORD.
Asserting that America is united with
the nations which hate PruSSlanIsm and
lnathe the evil desires which il cngenders
ii tie hearts Of men. Mr. Lansing brought
t5 audience TO its feet with this.
prusslanism has appealed 70 the
sword and by the sword Prussianism
must perish 1t is the divine law Of
retributIon which we, as the instru-
ments Of Justice, must enforce, 50 that the
world may be forever rid Of this abomlna-
ton.
1T is not my purpose 70 discuss the
means by which this Is to be done, but /
wish to direct your attention 70 two
things which NAV divert our thoughts and
interrupt our full effort unless we apprc-
ciate the consequence OF unwisely giving
heed to them. The obstacles Of which We
must beware are criticisms at home
which are not constructive, and sug-
gestions of peace which are based on q
perpetuation OF Prussianism.
when time is SO vital to success,
iet US not waste these precious DAYS
vain regrets and complaints over
that which has been done or has not
been done Let us not continually look
behind TO see where we stumbled, but let
us look forward so we viii not stumble
again. Criticisms Of the past are worse
than worthless They are almost criminal
unless they point better way for the
future.
CONTEMPT FOR CERTAIN CRITICS.
II believe that the American people
care very little for what should have
been done, compared with what should
be done For the critic OF public affairs,
whc is manifestly inspired by political
or selfish motives. by cOncclt, or by a
desire for nct0riety, have a profound
contempt Let US, for the present at least,
disregard the mistakes Of the past which
cannot be cured. and let us, impelled by
the will To win the war. drive on toward
the goal with all our vigor.
THE jealous patriot has no time 10
grumble and grieve over errors. He
Is too busy in aiding the government
in the work of today To spend the time IN
picking flaws in the work OF yesterday.
Criticism which IS not clearly constructive
and helpful in winning the war should be
ignored II Is unpatrlotlc and un-Amerl-
can.
NO PRUsSIAS-MADE PEACE.
GAS we turn deaf ears TO common
scolds at home, so must We not relax
our efforts not to listen TO insincere
suggestions OF peace filtering through
from Germany by various channels Let
us understand that a Prussian-made
peace would not be the end; that it would
only postpone the final struggle
Now that this war has come upon
US we must carry 1t through to a decision.
We must transmit TO future generations
the germs of rnilitarism. From be spirit
of despotism, which has caused this
awful tragedy. this war must free the world
We have suffered enough The nations
must never again endure such black
DAYS of agony as those IN which We are
living.
A GoD-IMPOsED DUTY.
May every American SO live and 50
serve said Mr. Lansing finally, that
when the day of victory over the
Prussiains dawns he may. By right Of
faithful service, share in the glory To
that bright hour let us look forward with
confidence. for the Supreme Ruler Of the
Universe would not decree otherwise
He has imposed upon US and our brave
comrades In arms the task Of freeing
mankind from the curse Of avarlce anc
inhumanity which besets US; he has put
upon US the burden Of making this worlc
6 better dwelling place for civilized men.