The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-17
June l6, 1910.
the WaterhIru DENIM.


Editor Of the Waterbury Demo-
crat:
Today the whole world stands at
a great crossroads and the de-
cisions that will be made within
the next few weeks may well con-
troll the history of mankind for
several centuries. Our chief con-
Germ in this present day crisis is
the role that America should play.
Most Americans are opposed to a
policy Of Intervention in the strug.
gle that is now raging in Europe,
but there are some voices that
loudly proclaim immediate par
ticipation in a new crusade to
make the world safe for democ-
racy. These voices often speak
with an official accent so positive
in tone that an increasing number
Of Americans are casting aside
their former convictions and are
now ready to abandon our historic
policy Of neutrality.
Pattern Of Peace.
"In other words, America Is to
cast aside the pattern of peace
that has made her a great nation,
and adopt a design for war that
has repeatedly brought European
civilization to the verge Of de-
struction The war-like features
Of this European plan are made
manifest when we consider the
fact that a highly civilized nation
like France has been engaged In
war during three hundred and
sixty-seven Of the last seven hun
dred and thirty-nine years. Ma
poleon once said that war Is one
Of the Industries" Of France.
Shall the lives Of American SOL
diers be sacrificed to make this
French industry successful
Our American government, says
Col. John H. Parker, former war;
time commander Of the 102nd U.
s. Infantry, 26th Div, at a recent
speech before the D. A. v. con-
vention In Waterbury, is rapidly
becoming an international busy
body with a long nose that con-
tinually shifts into every odor of
wrong doing that comes from all
the corners Of the world, but this
role Of common scold carries with
1t certain dangers. Nations get
tired Of repeated denunciations Of
their conduct and at times they
consider certain types Of replies
that cannot be classed as pacific.
Our Chief Executive is constantly
inviting sharp blows from the ma
lions he holds up to world scorn.
Certain nations have been warned
In unmeasured terms tAat their
actions are not In accordance with
American interpretations Of inter-
national law. The unmistakable
Implications Of these notes Is a
very simple one. Unless these
wicked nations change their modes
Of conduct, America will compel
them to adopt an American de-
sign for international living, COR
ELSE?
Unity Necessary.
In these eventful days when our
country demands that It's citizens
remain united we must not forget
as war veterans that the seeds Of
this bloody conflict now raging In
Europe were shown at Versailles.
The Allies dictated and forced
through the terms Of the treaty
treaty that was 50 unjust, so UNI
christian, so filled with vengeance
"a treaty which excluded the
name OF God from its covenant,
that our own fair-minded Aineri-
can Congress refused to ratify 1t.
have every respect for the opin-
ions Of all classes Of citizens. AS
long as America remains a free
country, where every citizen has
a right to express his opinion, no
one should be nuzzled. For the
benefit Of fear-mongers who
spread warnings that should the
Allies lose the war America will
be doomed to the fate Of the dodo
birds-let this much be UNDER
stood-America Is safe II America
remains American and does not
repeat he mistake Of 1917-18l
Should our politicians involve us
In the war In a military way, this
nation will be forced to fight on
more fronts than during the last
war. Our problem In America Is
to defeat all foreign propaganda.
AS American war veterans let's
keep Our emotions In check. Our
intelligence must rule our deci-
sions. We are Americans!
without fear Of criticism ! take
my stand 100 per cent behind such
men as John Barry, former COM
rnander Of the d. A. ", who says
there are forces in this country
who are moving heaven and earth
to ernbroil us In the war on the
side Of the Allies.
Dangers Threaten.
It Is high time that American
patriots wake up to the dangers
that threaten. the destruction Of
this country. We must not forget
the part our disabled veterans
played during the last war. They
shed their blood In defense Of
American principles. America has
been great because 1t has been
able to persue a policy Of peace,
while Europe has been wasting not
only its strength, BUT OUR
MONEY, in r1umberless wars. De-
rnocracy has thrived here because
1t has offered hope and abundant
living to every man, but this
march Of democracy has not been
In keeping with any European