Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-05-23

1t is not only such Il moment now. II
is in that sort the greatest and most
searching moment which has Yet con
fronted mankind. There is no looking
back. There is no mediocre way. There
is no hating nor refuge in evasion and
lies. There is no issue to be found be
tween victory and defeat. AT any hazard.
Britain and I'rance-and Italy iatcr-muSl
bear the whole b,unt of resistance this
year. lieartcned by American help, and
1t is for president and republic to insure
that after the terrible crisis of this cam
paign the final issue shall be insured ut
last by the full organization and employ
rnent OF American power. The people of
the United States can insure this, and
we'll are we satisfied that they Win so
do. This is all that matters.
The United States will neither hack
down nor back out. IL their organization
for war is behind the time table in some
respects. let us remember that this has
been inevitable owing to two things. First
Of all. owing to the Russian coliapsc
American commitments have become
huger in every respect than was eN-
pected at the outset. Secondly, all deInor-
racies are at a permanent disadvantage
in organizing for war. That is why
democracies must conquer or perish now.
The more free and peaceful they are in
their normal existence, the more they are
embarrassed and delayed when imperilsd
by efficient despotism. But, though in
the case of Il country SO big-with it's
nearer coast 5000 and the further coast
100 miles away from the scene of war
the difficulties are vast. worse than those
with which we ourselves had to grapple
i'll the first is months, they will he as
surely overcome. Ore thing is already
certain. But for Americas Intervention
the cause Of tho allies would have been
l@e$ Shh iS vim har navy ftpr oh ms.
and her shipbuilding. her food supplies,
and her treasure. rs We'll as the millions
of her best manhood. Behind all now lies
the final guaranty of her maritime and
economic power. We on this side can
hold on, fight on. with good heart and
faith. because We know that Within a
measurable period. surely. dccisively.
Americas full comirSs in will make the
league of liberty far stronger in several
ways than before Russia went out.
Twelve months ago America knew that
the cost would be great. bat not how
great. She knew that Intervention was
urgent. but now how urgent. She knew
that the fight would be hard, but not how
hard. She know that much depended on
her. but not nearly how much. She
knew that her own and the allies cause
was just. but was far from knowing
how entirely it stood for:
those firm laws
Which we call Gods: which are the
righteous cause,
The cause of man. and nlanhood's
ministers.
/, The things for which the alliec stand
and the things for which German %.nilitar-
ism stands cannot live togcthe. without
enewed commissions and slaughter. in
which, all the denocracies would be taken
at still worse disadvantage. 1t is now
or never with us all. The circumstance
OF the second Anniversary raise America
to u higher power OF soul and effort.
What Abraham Lincoln said of the union,
President Wilson can now say OF. all
modern civilization. 1t cannot exist half
slave and half free" Between taking or
breaking the German yoke Il Americas
choice. like that Of the other allies. To-
Rether We will break 1t yet. n never
stay our sartny5 tin *tAen.