Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-06-15


lodged its independence.
The American people were now
aroused as never before to strike a
decisive blow for struggling Liberty
The timely aid of France in this try
ing hour has never been forgotten,
for by it she won the American
heart. After obtaining her indepen-
dence America, it is true, has come
to love old England again, as she
should, but her iHal and sympathe-
tic love for France remains unbro-
ken. -
To us of the twentieth century we
view the situation changed. France,
after saving the world for demo-
crazy, lies torn and bleeding, yet
brave, grand, defiant and powerful
still Engulfed in the greatest war
ever known, she labors on, suffers
mutely, yet still hurting her defiance
at the Teuton horde, "They Shall
not pass as brave,y today as at the
acknowledgement defense of Yer
dun.
The United States government, ia
ken by surprise at the outbreak of
war in 1914, for more than two years
he ID TO the spirit of neutrality,
which was preserved only with the
greatest difficulty. The American
people were greatly stirred by re-
ports of the wicked and outrageous
deeds committed by Germany in her
invasion of Belgium and Northern
France. The Royal Belgian Commits
sion, which came in Sept, 1914, to
lay their country's cause for COM
paint before our National Govern
ment, was received with the most
sincere respect and sympathy. AL
though we were forced to withhold
our decision in the affair, the COM
passion of America was clearly
shown Iby the money contributions
and supplies of food and clothing,
which came from every section of
the country for the relief of the suf-
fering French and Belgians.
From this time on, Germany by
her ruthless submarine warfare was
continually expressing the American
people. She sank without mercy the
great Transatlantic steamship Lusi-
tania, and ignored the rights of all
neutrals at sea. She advanced her
battle line out upon the Atlantic in
our direction, asserting her sover-
eighty There as she did in Belgium
and Northern France She killed
American citizens on ships flying
the American flag upon waters where
they had as good right to be as in
their own cities. SO America grad
ually came to the realizing sense that
not only was the freedom of Euro
pean nations at stake but that the
liberty of. the United States and
throughout the world was threaten
ed by powerful autocratic Germany.
And the American people with
thoughtful consideration reached the
only decision which was possible
from the standpoint of their own ma
tlonal safety and self-defense On
the 9th of April, 1917, Congress by
an overwhelming vote passed a Joint
resolution, declaring that a state of
war existed between the United
States and the Imperial Government
OF Germany, and this country united
with the allies to crush the power
W'lIch sought to ruin humanity and
democracy and to dominate the world.
Immediately after America entered
the war, the French mission, led by
Marshal JOffre, victor of the famous
battle of the Marine, laid before the
United States government the condi.
tlons in France and planned for a
strict cooperation during the course
of the war. Without delay, and with
absolute secrecy observed, Major
Gen. John J. Pershing, with his staff
safely reached the shores of France
on June 18th. ready to take COM
mand Of the first expeditionary force
that ever set foot on European soil
10 make war. AS the band played
the ~Marseillaise" and the great gen
eral stepped upon shore, a wild en-
thusiasm arose from the crowds. The
vessels flying the Stars and Stripes
came steaming along the shore and
American colors were everywhere
shown as token of the French wei.
come
The first year of the entrance of
the United States into the great
world war for the cause of right and
civilization, has seen a tremendous
effort put forth in all the executive