Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-09

COUKlEH, TUESDAY, a.
! il universally recognized as the under
lying cause Of numerous delays and
failures IL being corrected, gradually,
|! to be sure, but with q hopeful and en-
|couraging certainty that promises
genuine efficiency in the near future
Secretary Baker. whose pacifist
ideas and ideals gave him twisted
view of the part he should play as
secretary Of war, gives indication OF
having assimilated something of the
war spirit during his visit to Europe.
dispatches record him as having
cabled from France to urge the I'm
mediate dispatch of troops from
America on schedule which exceeds
anything he would have believed pos
sible or necessary few months ago.
There is reason to believe that Mr..
Baker Is waking up, and no more hope
full sign than that could rise from the
clouds of battle smoke which shroud
Europes shelltorn battleflelds.
It will mean that when Mr.. Baker
returns home he will give his atten'
ton to speeding the training. equip
ment and sailing. OF soldiers, when
should be his first and most urgent
lob from now until the signatures are
afaxed to the dnal treaty of peace. II
viii mean that he will, Of necessity
10 distribute the duties which devolve
on him az to get the work done WITH
out particular regard for the niceties
Of oficial intercourse and the red tape
of oficial inedhciency.
America has been crippled IN her
army-raising activities by a lack OF
ships. Quarrels, strikes, disloyalty,
sabotage. jealousies and ineniciency
have combined to delay an ambitious
program for constructing vessels. Inc
submarine has been aided BY these IN
fuences and even now its menace 70
the United States and our allies 10 an
ever present and ever serious one.
But the seizure of Hollands ships has
helped to ease the strain; the action
OF Japan in furnishing more vessels
will help still more; the Russian ships
which have been Communicated fos
war work will add so much more to
turn the scale against the U-boat.
Meanwhile, tangles in the ship-buhd.
ing situation are being Strengthened
out and there il hope for definite re
suits from Mr.. Hurley's conscientious
efforts.
We have done much, in the year we
have been a. war, but we have fallen
far short OF doing enough. There are
ample explanations at hand for every
failure and every delay, but the
Americans who, at this very moment
are opposing their strength and cour-
age and patriotism to the brutal force
OF the Prussian militaristtc machine
on the blo0d-stained Picardy battle
field. cannot substitute an explanation
for a bayonet thrust nor record OF
good Intentions for a hand grenade.
It is humiliating to confess that
America, after year at war, IL able
to take only small part In the crucial
struggle, but It is a fact which must
burn itself into the consciousness OF
every American citizen II We are to be
able. a year from today, to look back
over twelve months achievement with
pride and a sense Of patriotic satisfac.
ton.
We have been no more than playing
1t war In the year which closes today.
And yet. hundreds Of Americana have
given their lives to the cause for
which perhaps hundred thousand are
engaged in battle today, over there IN
France. We have known the sorrow
Of mourning, few Of US, but We have
taken only hint Of warning nom the
fact that a minority Of frances fAm'
lilies remain intact. while England's
dead are counted by the hundreds Of
thousands. Hero In America We have
no more than scratched the surface OF
wars horrors and wars sacrifices.
President Wilson has said tho COM
ing year II to be the crucial one IN the
progress Of the great war. 1t VIII Dc
more. for It will bring the test OF
American patriotism, American fortt-
tude and American resourcefulness.
Our government and its institutions
are nut to the supreme test; our indi-
vidual devotion to all for which Amer
lea stands IL put to the supreme test.
in the fire which il trying at once the
kaiser's system OF government by rear
and might, and Christianity's plan OF
government by principle and precept.
As the second year OF Americas
participation in the war dawns. Amer
lea, II she ID to win victory, must re-
consecrate herself and every atom OF
even her most lowly citizens strength
to the cause. Nothing less than unani-
nous determination to buy victory,
whatever the cost. can insure the fut-
ure Of our government and our poster
ity.
OVER THE TOP
The enthusiasm displayed at last
nights Liberty Loan meeting Is
splendid indication of Wapello coun-
TVS patriotism, but 1t Is Of vital i'm
portance that It shall not be misin-
terpreted by any campaign worker or
any prospective or possible bond pur-
chaser.
More than 100000 was subscribed
by a comparatively few residents
within an hour. That is an inspiring
and a reassuring evidence of loyalty.