The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-07-12

previous arucleS OF TINS series, WOuiQ
be sufficient justification for this ma.
ton 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.
1t has been shown that Germany,
for years, had been plotting within our
bONlers, encouraging immigrants to
became citizens and at the same time
remain faithful to the kaiser. She
filled our land with spies and agents
Of dlsorganization when, to all out
ward appearances, relations between
America and Germany, were of the
most friendly character.
From evidence supplied by the Ger
mans themselves, 1t 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 a part, at least, Of the other hall
was still making resistance.
Finally, when the collapse Of Russia
revealed the fact that Germany wal
fighting, not a war of self-preserva'
ton, but one of conquest pure and
simple, and that the freedom Of the
entire world was menaced, any Ques
ton Of why we are fighting seemed
superfuous.
The military party In Germany start
ed the war because 1t believed the time
ripe for conquest.
Proof that ambition, and not consid
Grafton Of its own safety, prompted
Germany to begin the war Is given b.
the fact that Serbia and Belgium, tive
helpless little nations, were the nra
attacked.
Germany had under no compulsion
signed a solemn treaty to protect thu
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
Germany's invasion Of Belgium mean
the tearing up of every treaty which
existed between Germany and othei
nations. It was ample justification fol
America going to war at that moment
This did not spur America at thu
time, but Germany's cruelties In Bel
GUM, surprising anything ever befort
known In modern history, gave furthel
evidence that the world was not safI
az long as such a government existed
In 1t.
Then came Germany's conduct OF
the sea. With her battlefield cravellj
seeking shelter behind the defenses Of
the Kiel canal, Germany sent out hel
submarines and began war on un
armed merchantmen. Women and chill
dren were her victims. American citi
zens by the score went down to dealt
on the Lusitania. The United State
made protest, and Germany promised
to mend her ways. This she did, fol
a time, until she could build a feet Of
bigger and better submarines, and theE
her pirate sea warfare broke out witt
fresh vigor. How could we keep out
Of war when Germany, after ruthlessly
killing our citizens, deliberately closed
the sea to usf
German plotters and spies, undei
the direct leadership Of the Germal
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 foI
discipllning the United States. She
scoffed at the Monroe doctrine, and
tried to create a German state In
Brazil which, In time would be strona
enough to bring about a revolution and
overthrow democratic government
there.
By her huge ornaments, her disre
gard Of treaties, and her evident re-
lance on force alone, Germany was
rapidly making the world an unsafe
place in which to live. forcing all 9th.
er nations to adopt the military sys
TEN, or be at her mercy.
The German ambition to force Gers
man kultur on the remainder OF the
world was well exploited. Kultur, to
the German mind. was not what cul.
ture Is to rs. II was the whole Ger
man system, Of government, Of COM
and Of life. There was
no place for democracy IN a world
which bore the stamp OF German kul-
bur. II we valued our form Of governs
nent, we had to 90 to war.
The fight which England and Francs