The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-05

| United States of America-its foreign
commerce forbidden, it's merchant
ships sunk and its citizens foully MUIR
dered--forsook the paths of neutral
ity and went forward to seek with the
sword peace and reparation from a
country which through two years pre-
ceding had broken it's plighted word
to us, had treacherously assailed US
while protesting friendship, and had
drenched the world in blood.
By and through this act and the
consequences growing out of Ameri-
cas- absolutely necessary step, the war
took on i new character, the irrepres-
sible conflict between the worlds two
great systems of government became
clearly defined, and this country, once
sneered at as a mere collection of
/ traders in the misfortunes of others,
stood revealed as one willing to bat
tie and suffer for ideals to which its
enemies declared it was an absolute
stranger. Naturally, the trade history
of such a year as that just closed is
q difficult one to write because old
standards of living were perforce
abandoned, new and strange problems
presented themselves to be solved, and
new rules of action and measures of
attainment were set up. 1t is still, even
nine months after our formal embark
alton in the war, difficult to say what
final success attended this country
efforts to adjust itself to war condi-
lions, but it may at once be said that
many of the steps taken and the pro-
gress made in Transforming it from a
peaceful neutral to a great military
and naval power have been comfort
ing to those who have believed not
only in the desirability, but in the eff
ficiency under strain, of republican
form of government.
Briefly stated, thise ountry has been
disclosed as capable of raising a great
army and, allowing for natural differ
ences of conditions, of building up an
equally great navy, of providing food
and munitions for its own millions and
those of it's Allies, of taking a fairly
active part in war, at the same time
permitting the pursuance of the nee
essary peaceful arts, and of acting as
banker of the Allies and loaning I'M
precedented sums to further the war
In doing this it has had to impose
taxes such as were never dreamed OF
by its own people, it has floated vast
loans to unprecedented numbers OF
subscribers, it has reGuisitioned men
and materials alike for war and peace
purposes, has set up rules for buying
and selling, eating and drinking, and
has directed the growing and market
ing of crops and the disposal Of their
SURPRISES among the nations. In a
ho Of
thought necessary for the success OF
it's policies, and. to the amazement
alike of it's friends and foes, has done
all this with minimum of apparent
compulsion, and indeed with apparent
anxiety on the part of its people sim
ply to learn what was required and to
70 it with a promptitude and COM
pleteneRB unequaled in the worlds his
tory. In the doing of these things
and in preparation for other and
greater undertakings, it has broken as
many precedents of policy as it has
records of production. Indeed, the big
events occurring and the great basic
changes made have been veritably ka-
Ileidoscopic in their number and char
acter, and the words record" "un-
precedented," enormous" and other
adjectives have become time worn and
hackneyed from their constant itera-
ton.
With the great war now moving
through its fourth year, a eird's-eye
view of the big happenings as they
have affected ourselves might not be
amiss. The closing months of 1914
found this country laboring to adapt
itself to the new and strange condt-
tons forced upon it in common with
the rest of the world. Closed ex-
changes, disorganized industries, hun
dreds of thousands of workers idle
and lack of confidence were the sal
lent features. In 1915 liquidation OF
American stocks and bonds hello
abroad and fevertsh activity in supply
ing munitions and foods to our Gus
toners stood out as big features. Ir
1916 we assumed the position of {
creditor nation, loaned freely to this
entire world, bought heavily of bellig-
erent securities, imported both gold
and merchandise in unheard-of vol
ume, and exported food, munitions
land manufactures to a similar extent
while expanding old and establishing
new industries as a dollhouse develops
peace undertaken by our President
failed.
Nineteen hundred and seveteen saw
: US assert our right to life as com
mercial nation, raise two enormou:
popular loans for the prosecution OF
the war, lay the foundation for and
= rear upon this great military and ma
t val forces, part of this voluntarily en-
e listed, and part great popular army
system, to get the latter 100000
young men submitting themselves tt
CONSUMPTION. The government follow.
ed the drafting of soldiers and civil
ians by a great CONSUMPTION of wealth
and industry, regulated outputs of ant
prices in all lines of basic produc
ton, Communicated shipping alread.
; building or contracted for and begar
= construction of a vast fleet of mer'
! chant ships to make up for submarine
sinkings, dispatched hundreds o.
u thousands of coldiers and sailors tt
Europe, abolished speculation in many
lines, and practically, If not in actual
ity; took over control of the country'l
= railways. In fact, despite bureaucratic,
red tape, which delayed but did no
entirely check progress, it took all tn,
g steps necessary ii organize the ceun
d trys forces for offense and defense
+ with, as it turned out, a minimum
amount of disorganization of every
d day business, which, though NATURAL!
!. affected by the diversion of millions
of men. and women from peaceful
pursuits. continued of very large vol
ume. In this connection it would b,
well to state that while economy cam
lpaigns, acquisitions for government
: use and the inevitable requirement.