Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-30
Germany Versus Civilization.

GuatemaIa's declaration of war against Ger
many marks the nineteenth nation to join the
crusade for freedom and humanity, and makes
almost complete the New World array in that
cause The only neutrals left in Europe except
switzerland and Spain, are the little countries
under the shadow of the Prussian heel; and in all
Of them, Spain and Switzerland included, the con-
science and sympathy of the people are with the
Allies So if is the globe around, from China to
peru Precisely as in the old days" aptly re-
marks the New York Tribune, zone of our Western
communities would take arms and TO man 90
eheriffs work rid itself Of horse thief, SO the
world today arms itself against the German; the
task may be tedious and costly, but the duty Is
measurable If homes and families are ever to live
In peace"
To these forces of law and justice Latin America
has made a peculiarly impressive contribution.
Since last April twelve Of the Southern republics
have broken with Germany, most Of them declar-
inc outright war The only ones that cling to a
vastige of neutrality are Chile and Argentina, and
II seems merely matter of time when the latter
will stand with the Allies in action as it already
does in overwhelming sentiment. Allegiance to
democracy Joined with enlightened self-interest
moved these nations to come out against Prusslan-
ism They knew that Germany long had harDored
designs upon their lands and their liberties. AS
far back as 1911 Junker spokesman in high favor
at HOlenZOleTu
MANY takes under her protection the republics of
Argentina Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. the
southern third of Bolivia as much belongs to
the basin of the Rio de la Plata and the southern
mart of Brazil where Germans predominant. Chile
and Argentina will keep their language and
autonomy. but WE SHOULD INSIST UPON THE
TEACHING OF GERMAN IN THE SCHOOLS AS
A SECOND LANGUAGE. Southern Brazil Para
quay and Uruguay are the countries for German
cuIture GERMAN SHOULD BE THEIR Ma
T7ONAL LANGUAGE" This is Interestingly
mindful Of what the Kaiser himself said of one
Herr Hexamer president OF the German-American
Alliance, in 1908:
"If ever man was worthy of decoration at
nv hands" said the Kaiser, 1T was Herr
Dr. Hexamer who may justly be termed by my
grace the acting ruler of all Germans in the
United States
Can We doubt that If he should win the present
war the Kaiser would lose time in ordering
German restored to the American schools from
which it has been banished and in appointing some
staggering Prussian his viceregent this side
OF the Atlantic?
Incredible though they once seemed to u.s.
ambitions like these have swarmed for long years
in the Prussian mind and definitely set down
in its program OF world conquest. Before the
fatefuI summer Of 1914 Englshmen, at least the
great majority of them, refused to believe that
Germany was plotting their nations destruction
along with a gigantic raid upon Europe. Before
the black evidence flung straight into our
faces most Americans refused to believe that Ger
many had filled our country with spies and was
pIotting to attack us at the earliest favorable
moment Supposing Germany to be a morally
sane nation, could not believe that she would
pIunge into organized, wholesale pillage and muir
der We now realize that she is not morally sane,
that indeed her moral is lost in greed and
brutishness. No crime is too monstrous or too
mad for her undertaking. Therefore it is that
civilization stands arrayed against her. The
society of nations is fighting for security, for
ru.,. and fer life itself against desperate GRIM
inaI-a fight that must be won, whatever the cost