The Redwood gazette., 1919-03-26
Why We Went to War.

i We went to war because we had to.
We couldn't stand on the sidellnes
and see the defenders of the Liberty
goal tskneed." ssstraight-armed," and
agouged," contrary to all the rules OF
! the game. We couldn't inertly wait
for our turn to be come prey to the
"wild animals" of Europe; we couldn't
"sit tight" and let the boche laugh at
our cowardice and our love of gain,
while they murdered the hundreds OF
our men, women and children who
were on the Lusitania and twenty 9TH
er ships, where they had perfect
right to be. We went into war to pro-
tect ourselves and the other free, hon
est people of the world.
How We Went To War
Because we are what we are, once
decided, we went to war in deadly
earnest. Without hate for our mis-
guided foe, and grimly smiling, we
set about preparing for the CHASTITY
business of killing. We knew it was
up to us to beat the enemy at his
own game. The Alladin's lamp of
American management sent money,
men, and munitions flowing Europe
ward. From farm, factory, office our
youths marched into battlefields of
France, and with eager, joyous de-
termination prepared to give battle
for the right. The stay-at-homes,
with the same spirit, worked, saved
loaned, and gave to keep the supply
lires open and full. They played their
part just as bravely and smilingly
as did the lads in khaki.
What We Did in the War.
Our hats are off to the heroic peo-
pie of France, Belgium, Great Britain
and Italy. We must always pay them
homage before we speak of what Am
erica did. Through four terrible years
they gave and suffered immeasura-
bly,. The veterans of the European
armies, though hard pressed, never
quit. They would not have quit, but
they were weary and Americas fresh,
keen soldiers heartened them as they
disheartened the boche. Eagerly, I'm
Gle Sans troops took their places in
the great battle line, and when the
time came, they blazoned on the i'm
perishable tablets of American hist
ory the names, of Chateau Thierry,
Belleau-W Wood, ST. Mihiel, the Ar
gonne, and Sedan.
Uncle Sans navy, manned by AM
erica's, best did it's part in the dreary
watches of the North Sea, in the ha-
zardous sport of hunting "hell divers"
and in the marvellous feat of conveying
to France, practically without loss,
two million soldiers and millions of
tons of supplies. Americas "heroes
of the air" made records second to
none and Americans in every other
department of the war-making work
ed effectively for victory.
At home, practically 30,000,0000
Americans bought Government secur-
tiles with their savings and thus made
it possible for this country to help fin
ance it's exhausted Allies and to launch
the most stupendous war production
plans ever conceived. With wonder
full cooperation, loyal Americans saw
ed and bought, worked and gave-to
win The business forces were mobi-
lized at the Governments call, with
the result that if the fighting had con-
tinued into 1919, Germany would have
smothered The United States by now
would have had tank for every sew
enty-five feet of the firing line; TO-
900 gas shells for every one Germany
could produce; aeroplanes in droves
guns, big and little; and munitions of
all kinds upon a scale hitherto un-
dreamed of.