Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-26
THE GRIM FACTS
(Tron Fridays Daily. !

A few weeks ago inc courier feIef>
red to the article written for Golfers
Weekly BY Mark Sullivan, in which he
declared the losses of ships since the
war bex,n were approximately double
the tonnage constructed for the use OF
the United States and its allies In the
same period.
yesterday, revelation Of tho British
admiralty's figures which had been
kept secret for 30 long showed thai
Mr.. Sullivan's diagnosis OF tho situa
ton was practically correct. Owing
to the seizure Of 100000 tons Of
Holland shipping and the carrier
seizure OF ships which formerly Flew
the flags Of central powers, 1t 10 pos
sible to show q net loss OF less than
1000, 900 tons.
But It is not safe to consider these
figures merely at their face value
The fact which Americans must con
slider 10 that for every ton OF new
shipping that has been CONSTRUCTED
almost two tons have been destroyed
and practically all the destruction has
been by German submarines.
The seizure Of ships cannot 90 on
indefinitely, because the ships are
not afloat to be taken. With def
mite difference Of about 100000 tons
IN the U.boat's favor, the allies must
depend on ship building to even the
.core. keep 1t even and swing the pen.
dulum to the side OF Germany's
enemies.
In other words, ships must be pro
duced more than twice as rapidly %
they have been produced since the
war BEGAN before we can breathe
freely and say that the U-boat has
been beaten. Even then the building
Of ships must go on and on, as long
a. the war lasts and longer.
It 10 comforting to know that Ger
many's claims Of allied shipping des-
tructton have been over-drawn by
about the same proportion that most
OF her claims cd advantage in the Wal
have been overthrown. But much OF
the feeling Of security which that
thought brings Is wiped out BY 9
dance at any map Of Europe which
illustrates the extent to when uel.
many has advanced toward MAKING
good her dreams Of middle EURO
pean empire.
Al the seriousness Of the situation
IL forced home to the intollects OF the
public, here In America, 20 is reaiisa'
ton Of the absolute necessity OF VIC
torv over Germany-compiete, crush
ing. merciless victory Of the sort tna'
viii leave no hope in the Pruscian
heart for q renewal Of the war against
humanity. -
And victory cannot be won with
ont sreat sacrifices. Men must die
others must mourn, but still the wal
must 20 on m on and on. until by
sheer weight Of determination and
superior strength, America and hel
allies shall be able to dictate the fu'
ture activities Of the race which, un'
der q conscienceless monarch. SCI
out in 1914 to make conquest OF the
world.
This is the critical period of the
war. This IL the test OF civilization
as It Is Of democracy. It ts the test OF
the Anglo-Sa1on race. 1t Is the test
Of every American citizens loyalty
II is the test Of the strength which an
abiding faith In the Creator bestows
upon his creatures. It Is the test OF
the theories OF self.government, free
dom and human liberties which are
heritage from the heroes Of the Amer
lean revolution.
Over in France Americans are meet
ing that test with a standard OF valor
which merits and receives the high
est praise from the veteran leaders Of
fhe battle-scarred armies Of Europe
Here at home there are thousands 0,
men and women exhibiting equal
courage. But the service ana the
willingness to sacrifice must be
unanimous. There must be no slack
ers and no holding back If victory
Is to be won.