Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1917 — WAR TALKS [ARTICLE]

WAR TALKS

By UNCLE DAN

Number Five

Jimmie and a GermAn Boy ClashMust Do Things to Save Country. I «* It was a warm evening, so Uncle Dan went out to a lawn seat under the spreading branches of the great tree that suggested the farm’s name of Oak Hill. Billie and Jimmie had been laying for him, so Uncle Dan was captured by the boys on short order. s“Say. Uncle Dan,” Billie began. “We had a red-hot argument at school yesterday with Carl Newman. Carl said that German schools miles ahead of our schools and that no one could come up to the educated German. Well, ..Jimmie -got-hot under the collar and handed it back to him good and plenty. Jimmie said if their education taught them to torpedo Lusitanias. sink hospital ships, murder hundreds of women and children, make slaves of the Belgians, poison wells, destroy fruit trees and commit all sorts of crimes, then we did not want that kind jif education here. What do you think about it. Uncle Dan? I told Jimmie you spent a lot; of time In Europe and knew all about schools, so, give us your opinion.” “Well, 4, replied Uncle Dan, deliberately, “the German schools are very thorough; they furnish exceedingly valuable and practical instruction. The industrial training .giyien there is probably the best to be found. The schools as a whole, however, Tn my opinion, appeal to the head only, and never to the heart. The aim and trend is to make the individual blindly submissive to the Prussian plan of world dominion; they teach that it.ikthe destiny of Germany to rule the world, and that to the glory and advance of Germany, in this plan, all things must give way; that the kaiser as head of the state, can do no wrong if he carries forward the plan of world control. Some of the greatest teachers and

preachers even defend and justify her heartless crushing of Belgians and the many other atrocious crimes she has committed in this war. Thank God our American education reaches both the head and the heart. It is an education with a soul, and we must "maintain the high ideals we have fixed. In a word, in Germany, the people are taught that they exist sos the government, while here the government ex ists to serve the people.” “Just wait a minute,” interrupted Billie. .Say that over again slowly, so I can write it down.” Uncle Dan, smilingly, complied. Billie exclaimed: “Now, we will hand that nut out for Carl to crack. Carl, you know,” continued Billie, “has a very smart father who keeps him posted on the German arguments. Carl said our government was only an experiment anyway; that it would not last twenty years, and that it might burst up any old time. Jimmie asked him if Germany was so mighty good, why they did not go back there to live.”

“Our government will go on forever, won’t it. Uncle Dan?” “Now,” said Uncle Dan. “you are raising a big question, *nd one that has troubled me for years. Our government is still in the experimental stage; in fact, it is the’greatest experiment ever undertaken, and if popular government is to be successful, a few things must be done, otherwise, to paraphrase the great Lincoln,, the government of the people, by the people and for the people, will perish. It is my firm conviction,” safd Uncle Dan, In a very impressive manner, “that if our country is to go on, as we hope and pray, we must very quickly do at least three things, and I will name them In the order of importance as it

appears to me: “First, adopt compulsory universal military training of all young men physically fit before they reach the age of twenty years. » “Next, require that every foreigner who comes here to live must, within a reasonable time, say a year, declare his Intention of becoming an American citizen and take the necessary steps to do so, tli'ereby, from that monient, assuming all the obligations of citizenship of our country, and that means he must defend our flag upon equal terms with our native born, and if he is not willing to do this, he should be sent back from whence he came." . “That’s the stuff," exclaimed Billie. “And, finally, enact such legislation as will matye voting compulsory. Popular government Is based upon, kite participation of all and ~ the rifle of the majority, and democracy cannel continue and be successful unless we live up to the spirit of the institution. < “The first step, however, is the passing of the Chamberlain bill for un : versal military training. If you will g.i the leading citizen,’and especially th ■ editor of your paper, to write person il letters to your congressman and both senators, urging their support, it will help enormously. “I see by the morning papers." said

Uncle Dan, “that the Rotary clubs of the entire country, the llvest, most cfliiclent organization to be found, have unanimously decided to get back ..of ithe Chamberlain bill and gitf£ It loyal ,and enthusiastic support. - They will work with the Universal Military Training league to accomplish this important piece of legislation, which will do more than anything else to make us a real nation with a common viewpoint, bring us back to sane living, and teach us the patriotism of service.’*