Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-29
FOUR YEARS OF WAR.

Four wears ago Yesterday AuStrO- O-HungaTy decar-
ed war on Serbia and gave Germany excuse for lift
ing the lid off hell and letting all its ures loose on earth
This was just thirty days after the killing OF Archduke
Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, by
crazy fanatic at Saraevo Germany rather the KAISER
and the mtarss had been preparing for war ever since
their victory France, and being ready were more
than anxious for any kind of opportunity to begin the
conquest Of the world. Urged by Germany Emperor
Francis Joseph made impossible demands OF Serbia, and
these not being acceded to war was declared still at the
instigaton of Germany Following this on August first
the kaiser declared war Russia. Two days later he
declared war France making the excuse in both cases
that he doing in self defense because those cou-
tries were mobzing against him. He knew it was un-
true for results showed neither country was prepared
for war; and Germany had reason to fear either Aug
ust Great Britain declared Germany and August
10 France declared Austria Hungary, Great Brit
ain doing the same the 18th November Great Brit
ain declared war Turkey and two days later JAPAN,
having sided with the allies captured the German possess
sions in Asia May 23rd 1915 Italy which had at the be-
ginning OF the war been bound up with the central powers
declared war Austra-Hunga1y and on August 2l on
Turkey. October Bulgaria sided with the leutons
March g. 1916 Germany declared war Portugal. Aug
ust 27 Rumania declared Austro- Hungary which
was followed by the central powers all declaring war on
her.
Such was the order in which the nations drawn
into the war; On April g. 1917 the United States after
display of forbearance unequaed in history reached the
limit Of endurance of wrongs and declared war on Ger
many
Up to the present time the Central Powers have had
the better of the contest They have much ter
rtory some of it neutral and this they still hold They
have foothold in France and another in Italy, though
both of these getting precafious That the war VIII
last two years the opinion of the leaders in prac
tcalv all of the allied nations At the time the sit
uaon has greatly improved largely due to the United
States with her vast of men and money taking
upthe gage flung at her by Germany There will be much
hard fighting yet unless unforeseen circumstances arise
SUCH for instance the dsnergation of Austria but
Ilxy
Powers is certainty and the result will be the defeat of
Germany and the destruction of militarism The allies
enter the fifth year Of the war under hopeful con-
dtions than have existed since its inception Had 1t not
been for the falling down of Russia it would most likely
have been ended by this time That misfortune delayed
but it will not change the final result At the same time
here in America must be prepared for any and every
demand that may be made us, and we must continue
to exert every ounce of energy in pouring out men
and money until Prussianism is simply overwhelmed h
There must be no let up until peace is declared.
Crop indications are that the wheat yield for the
United States will fall below thG 600 bushe mark
though not far below it, At that we will have than
300O00O00 bushels more than last year, and that is
siderable wheat AT the same time the increase in ship
ping will before another year make it possible to draw
on Australas 300000000 bushe surplus, and the sur
plus in Argentina Just there is more wheat avail
able in the wheat growing countries than ever before
though Russia is decidedly short II is only ques
tion of transportation for with this there bread in
abundance for ALL
1t is pretty difficult to get too much of good thing
and that the reason many farmers are already wishing