The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-01-02
THE TRAGEDY OF THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Professor Levant Dodge
II. Our Part in the War

Last weeks article attempted some
comparison Of the war which has
shaken the world for the past four
years with other contests. We con-
clude that in this one, most of all,
, momentous world interests have
trembled in the balance. We now
seek some realization of the rela-
tive sacrifices Of the United States
and other nations.
For the past twenty months the
war has been the leading topic in
serious conversations. And yet, lest
we unduly magnify the part which
we have borne, IL seems well at the
outset 10 make the general state
ment that our sacrifices have been
slight, compared with those Of any
one Of the eight or ten leading COM
batants. Let il be borne in mind
that the time since our declaration
of war is only about One-third OF
the period during which those ma
/ NlNilN ndNt b'Rn 'hthtNts w hsh
most of the others active hostilities
began at once, but with us it was
several months before the raising
Of troops was fairly begun. Many
months more elapsed before any
soldiers were prepared for being
sent to the scene of conflict. A large
majority of those called TO service
never have been within three
thousand miles Of any Of the battle
lines. IL has been only seven or
eight months since any considerable
number of American troops have
really been engaged in the fray.
Years before that time some OF the
contending nations abroad had been
completely crushed; and in the case
Of all there was mourning in every
neighborhood and in almost every
house.
Our fatalities are counted by
thousands; those Of the other coun-
tries by millions. The loss of life
among the Russians is stated as be-
ing a hundred times our own. Can
ada alone, only one of Great Brit
aims dependencies, has had several
times as many visits Of the death
angel as we have had. In France,
Belgium, Serbia and Poland, hun
dreds of thousands of non-combat-
ants-men. women and children
have been torn from home and COM
PEELED 10 work for a pittance, with
only the scantiest food. Others have
been brutally manned, and outraged
in ways too fearful 10 mention. To
such enormities We have been
strangers. Within those areas where
the storm has ragged through the
tedious years, hundreds of towns,
including several populous cities,
have been destroyed. Magnificent
cathedrals and other structures
which have been the pride of Gen.
turtles lie in ruins. The very earth
has been so rent by mighty explo-
sives as 10 be made a vast desert.
Many years will be required TO re-
store its productiveness. Several
others of the more than twenty ma
tionalities which ostensibly have
, been at war likewise have been Sd
remote, late in beginning, or chary
of their resources as TO feel but
lightly the brunt Of the battle. To
France, Great Britain and Italy,
with Serbia, Rumania and heroic
little Belgium, according TO their
means, must be awarded the chief
praise for defending the liberties of
mankind. We may as well frankly
admit that we were almost disgrace
fully slow in coming TO the rescue.
Only when the shadow of the i'm
minent world-calamity crossed our
own threshold did we arouse our
selves. Certainly we have not
borne the burden and the heat OF
the day" We have suffered some
privations; but most of these have
been Of luxuries rather than neces-
, stiles. Millions Of our compatriots
/ across the waves have been put
i upon meager rations of the COM
, monest essentials. And millions
have been able to keep the breath
, Of life only as objects Of charity.
Facts might be multiplied to en-
phasize the truth that others than
/ we are the leading contributors and
the heaviest sufferers. Our people
, have tho most wealth and our gov
, rnment the best credit OF any in
? the world. We are glad that thus
, we are able TO pay our soldiers bet
? ter and provide for them far more
I comforts than were enjoyed by our
defenders in any former crisis. II
, the cost of living has been increased
4 the wage Garner has his pay in
, creased correspondingly. Most OF
/ the money loaned the government