Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1918 — ADDRESS LETTER TO WILSON [ARTICLE]

ADDRESS LETTER TO WILSON

DEFENSE SOCIETY AND AMERICAN RIGHTS LEAGUE UNITE TO URGE SPEEDING OF WAR The American Rights League, and the American Defense society today joined in addressing an open letter to President Wilson, and Congress, in which the two societies put themselves on record behind Colonel Roosevelt, Senators Lodge and Thomas, General Leonard Wood, and others who in the last few days have been voicing the need for an immediate speeding up of the war. The letter signed by the two societies, and sent to every senator and congressman states that “it is evident from the recent appeals from the authorities in England and in France, that if the service of America is to count as a factor in the decision of the war co-operation must be largely increased and must be given with all promptness.” The letter follows in full: “To the President, White House, Washington, D. C. Sir:

It seems probable from the reports that come to us from France and from Italy that the crisis of the great war for civilization is at hand. Americans await with hopefulness, but not without anxiety, the results of the great German attack on the lines in France, lines in which our American boys are now doing their part. It is evident from the recent appeals from the authorities in England and France and from the reports brought by Americans who have recently been in direct touch with the campaign lines, that if the service of America is to count as a factor in the decision of the war, our co-operation must be largely increased and must be given with all promptness. General Wood, wno speaks with direct knowledge and with the authoriy of and experienced student of military history and conditions; has told the senate committee on military affairs that if the United States is to do its part towards the fulfillment of its obligations to its allies and to itself, it should have now in the training camps not less that five million men, and that it should be made practicable to place two millions of these in France before the close of the year. Premier Lloyd George

says: “It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of getting American reinforcements across the Atlantic in the shortest possible space of time.” It is understood that similar statements have been made to Secretary Baker by high officials of both French and the British governments. Our people probably do not realize the scale upon which this war of nations is being conducted. It is calculated that since the beginning of the war nearly forty million men have been placed under arms, and that of these from ten millions to fifteen millions have been killed or wounded or reported missing. This would leave under arms, if the Russian troops were still in existence as an organized force, from twenty-five millions .to thirty millions. We understand that within the next few months, America will have been able to place in France in all some five hundred thousand men; and that in addition to those, we have now some eight hundred thousand or nine hundred thousand ;n training. We are <o. d that under the present plans. eight hundred thousand ;f the men in training are to be called to the colors before the close of the present year. Such a force can render service,

but it is to be feared that this service will not be sufficient to count. If the great forces now renewing their invasion of France should succeed in crushing the armies of France and England, the war will probably be decided this summer and decided in favor of Germany. Europe would have to accept the domination of Prussian militarism, and the turn of America would come next. The American Defence society and the American Rights League hereby pledge to the ‘President and to the country their loyal and earnest support of all efforts toward organizing on a large scale and with all possible promptness, the armies that America is to contribute to the contest. Such increase in the contribution from America means, of necessity, greater sacrifices on the part of the American people, but we feel assured that patriotic and loyal Americans will stand with the President in carrying out this necessary policy. Our two organizations have done, and will continue to do, all that is in their power to arouse and to direct the public opinion of the country to support the President and the administration and congress in the largest efforts of which the country is capable. We realize that such increase in the number of men to be called will make requirement for more cantonments, for more equipments, and for the larger use for munition plants of factroies and machinery that are still permitted to produce luxuries. The nation must adjust itself with determination and persistence to the new demand and the new conditions. The acceptance by America of German domination is unthinkable and a compromise peace which would leave Germany in practical control of Europe and would be an acknowledgement of defeat, is equally unthinkable. No course remains compatible with the safety of the public with the fulfillment of its obligations but to bring with all possible promptness into training and overwhelming force of American soldiers for service in France. In this ta#k the American nation is prepared to support the President.” Respectfully, The American Rights League, Geo. Haven Putnam, president. The Americap Defense Society, Richard M. Hurd, chairman, Board of Trustees.