The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1919-10-02
TELLING 1T STRAIGHT

The esteemed Hutchinson Gazette
is much concerned over the future
, naval policy of the United States.
The Gazette is wise in some of its
conclusions. Closing a red-hot edi-
torial on the subject of Japan and
future wars it says: "But the
Prussian of the Orient cherishes no
such delusions. He puts his trust
not in paper covenant but in
legions of dreadnaughts"
Meaning that the United States
should follow suit and build up a
military and naval force superior
to the "Prussans of the Orient"
Well, let us see whether such be-
lief is well founded Germany was
the strongest military power in the
world at the outbreak of the war.
Great Britain was a power in naval
preparedness. Russia was among
the strongest. The United States,
according to previous article in
the Gazette, was almost totally I'M
prepared for war.
When the great military organ
izations of the world could not set
tie the fight the United States
stepped in and put the highly
trained armies of Germany to COM
plete route. No one denies but |
that the Americans literally walked !
over the Germans at the battle of
ArgOnne. Military tactics availed
nothing, supply trains were left be-
hind and a position believed by the
Germans to be impregnabe was
captured by the Americans.
In the face of this fact the Ca
zette and other papers which are
backing the militaristic element in
Washington are still crying for
preparedness, for big army, a big
navy, a military policy which will in
their opinion surpass that of any
other nation.
And Japan, knowing that Ameri-
ca is training an army and building
a navy especially for her benefit,
will seek to out-do her. Thus two
great powers will spend countless
millions building war machines.
And, pray of what use is a machine
)ne cannot use?
The use will be found. When
The machines are completed, Japan,
ike Germany, will get the idea that
she is ready to win big war-a
slight excuse will be found, and the
bloody orgy of the past four years
will be repeated. America will win
put at what cost?
The League of Nations offers the :
,nly alternative. While time may
prove it not wholly effective it will
ave the great expense of prepared :
less and there is good chance
hat it will prevent future wars.
The people of the United States
AN take their choice. The militar- Il
SITS seek control and it is only the T
masses of the people who can intiu- c
nee them. Every word uttered
against the League is boost for t
he militarists Fathers, mothers, p
low are you talking Don't be mis- d
ed by politicians of any party. In c
he interests of the coming genera
ion read and study and think for $
'ourself. Get copy of the League
ovenant and read it and ponder on v
t. Ninety per cent of opposition f
o the covenant is by people who
lave never read. it. This is not fair
o those who may have to 90 to war O
en- years from now if it is not Q
q
1t is serious matter wasting the
ives of thousands of young men.
t is bigger problem than America \
las ever before tackled, and it v
should be weighed carefully and a
'onscientiously Every father and =
very mother should know its pro- v
,isiOns, every boy should study it, VI
md we feel confident that if this
5 done there is not a chance that
t will fail.