The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-11-23
WHEN WILL THE WAR END,

What's the use Of spending any
more money to win the war. whom the
var II already won? What's the use
Of all this stir about raising s360.c00.-
900 for the United War Work drive
when our boys will all be "out Of the
branches by Christmas?"
is THE WAR OVER? Ten days
ago Mr.. John R. Mott. director sener-
n Of the United War Work campaign,
said in an address at Chicago. 1--WE
are far from the end Of the war" The
War Department does not consider
that the war is over. for 1t is assem-
bling and training the new draft army
Is rapidly a. possible. and 100000
men are going to France every month.
Even in the face Of the amazing devsl.
opments Of the past few days. 1t 10
yet entirely possible that Germany.
with the insane stupidity which has
characterized her entire course In the
war. may elect to retire behind her
frontiers and fight desperately
through another season. 1t is not at
ali certain that the war is over.
But let US assume that Germany
will accept the terms Of surrender die
tated by the allies. and an armistice
II concluded within a few weeks.
Does that end the war. does
that secure the immediate return
of our men from overseas? Let 1t be
remembered that In the Franco-P rus-
sian war seven months were required
for the negotiations for armistice and
for peace settlements. before the
armies could be demobilized. II Ger
many were to indicate tomorrow her
readiness to cease fighting and to
treat for permanent peace. months
must elapse while the innumerable
problems involved are in process OF
solution: and during these months our
army and our navy will stand guard
with undated vigilance and efficiency.
The war 10 not over until peace has
been signed.
Will the war end for US with the
adjournment Of the peace conference?
Far from It! The war will not end
until every man and boy who has
been taken from pillow and forge
and desk and schoolroom to 70 to
France to fight has been brought
hack to the land for whose sake he
went overseas with the colors. So
long As our armies are In Europe and
Asia. 80 long do we owe them In un-
broken measure the helpful service
and comforting ministry conveyed by
the welfare activities Of the seven rec
ognized agencies united In the War
Work Campaign. How long will they
be there! Mr.. John r. Mott recently
said: while In Europe. was told
BY military authorities that It will re-
Quire \ period Of fifteen months from
the time that the conflict ceases to
transport the Canadian army to their
homes. and that II will call for not
lees than eighteen months to convey
the armies Of Australia and New Tea
land homeward." He estimates that
to bring home our own army Of two
million men now In France will re-
quire not less than twelve months.
That army Is growing every hour. and
when the time comes for the tide to
turn again home. there may be nearer
four million than two million to be
transported. General C. T. Du Point
stated last week that the work
OF returning our army from France
will consume from eighteen months
to two years. The war 10 not over for
us Americans, until this army 10 a
home again. The long interval be.
tween Germany's first intimation OF
surrender and the arrival at New
York Of the last troopship with its re.
turning soldiers. will present a need
Of welfare work and Of social and
spiritual ministry to our army. even
greater aad more urgent than the
present situation. Says Mr.. Mott:
During that long period they will
have virtually all their time on their
hands. They will not have the ex.
element and the Indictment OF the
war period TO stimulate their spirits
or its intense activities to absorb
their attention and utilize their time.
Their temptations will be more numer.
Gus and persistent. There will be
tendency to let down standards and
relax discipline. II 10 Of the utmost
importance that plans be made for
the wise use Of their leisure hours
Tho practical and significant question
Is. Shall our men and boys come back
to Us weaker or stronger men! The
period OF rehabilitation should not be
allowed TO become q period OF demon.
aiisation but rather should be made
one Of growth In knowledge and work.
Ing efficiency and Of siren theuins OF
character and life purposes.
We are in fact helping to determine
by our generous gifts for the present
United War Work Campaign. that the
morale and courage which has thus
far characterized our mon will he
mintained under the hard conditions