Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 287, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1917 — WAR TALKS [ARTICLE]

WAR TALKS

By UNCLE DAN

Nttmbtr Ont

America Must Fight Hard or Germany May Win—Necessity for Military Training.

“Now, Billie,’’ said his mother, “your Uncle Dan la coming tomorrow to spend a week with us on the farm, and if you want to know about the war, here’s your opportunity. Uncle Dan is probably one of the best-informed men In the country” Billie clapped his hands and gave such a whoop that he wakened the baby, but what could you expect of » fifteen-year-old boy who Is a living interrogation point and wants to know about war? Uncle Dan arrived in due time and Billie watched for an opportunity. It came that evening after dinner when Uncle Dan had lighted a cigar and taken a seat on the porch. “I’m mighty glad you came, Uncle Dan. I want to talk to you about the war. We have just put military training in our township high school, but we had a hard time to do it. The Joneses and the Greggs objected. They said the war wouldn’t come over here. Grandma Jones said: “They ain’t no use to worrit, it will soon blow over.’ Well, we put the training In just the same. You orter heard Judge Brownell, the president of the school board, do the slackers up. He said unless we take off our coats and go to It, Germany may yet win, and If she does, she will take over the great British fleet as a war trophy and compel us to do what ever she wants to; that she could make us pay all the cost of the war; the kaiser could tax us as he pleased and that we couldn’t help ourselves. He could make every one pay over a part of what he earns; that he could make the farmers pay rent for their own farms, etc. Now, Unde, what do you think of that?"

“Well, my boy," said Unde Dan, “all that Judge Brownell says might easily come true and may unless we go quickly to the aid of the allies with large numbers of men and help them break the German line. Unless we can beat the submarines, they may prevent us from getting enough food to tho allies to keep them going. In that case Germany would win. As matters stand today, our greatest need is trained men. If we had had several millions of men with military training in our industries and on our farms when the war came, who could have been called at once for service, I do not believe the kaiser would have forced the war upon us. As it was, he had no respect for us, and now we are in It arid must go through with It But never again must we be caught so wholly unprepared. "There is only one safe way,” said, Uncle Dan, “and that is to adopt permanently universal military training, apply it to every young man who is physically fit say in his nineteenth or twentieth year. The training can be carried forward in the United States training camps that are now being established for training men called by the selective draft As soon as these men vacate these stations, they should be filled by younger men, and this shpuld be made the permanent policy or the country.” Billie’s mother, Mrs; Graham, had overheard the conversation. She came out and said: "Really, Brother Dan, are you serious as to the dangers of our country? If it is as bad as that, it is high time for us to wake up and do something about it.” ■ “Exactly," replied Uncle Dan. "It is better to wake up now than to be rudely awakened later. We may as well understand, sister, that this is our war and we must win it or God help America. Everything that we have or hope to have—our liberties, our blessings, our opportunities are all involved in the great Issue before us. Nothing must stand between us ami winning this war. It Is a question whether the peoples’ right or the kaiser’s might shall dominate the world. If there ever was a holy war, this U it We are fighting for world liberty. We are fighting for the freedom <>t humanity. We are fighting for the right of men to govern themselves instead of being governed against their will by a war-mad overlord. Perilous times are ahead of us. We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, to perform any service that may be required •of us." | “Oh, Unde Dan,” exclaimed Billie, “may I bring my chum, Jimmie Collins, when we have our next talk? He is a bug on this war business and just crazy to see you.” "Certainly," said Unde Dan, with a hearty laugh. "If we are to have more talks, I shall be glad to have Jimmie Joints.” ‘ A Billie dapped ais hands and ran to the .’phone and told Jimmie to be oyer at seven o’clock the next evening.