Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1918 — LESSON TAUGHT BY YEAR OF THE WAR [ARTICLE]

LESSON TAUGHT BY YEAR OF THE WAR

Truths Brought Home to Ameri cans by Great Fight for Democracy. ALL CAN SHARE IN BATTLE Send Your Dollars to GovernmentRout Our Enemy Within Our Gates—Your Patriotism on Trial. By GELETT BURGESS of The Vigilantes. What have you learned from this first year of the war? Have you learned that no peace is possible but one founded< upon the triumph of democracy? Germany’s faithlessness to her treaty agreements In Belgium has had its sequel in her deceit in Russia. German’s frightfulness Is the deliberate policy of autocracy in Its design to enslave the world. All pretenses of liberal reforms have been drowned in the rising lust for world-conquest. Intoxicated by self love and ruthless ambition the kaiser and his war lords seek to bring all civilizations under the reign of brute force. Nation after nation has fallen their prey. If we are to survive, that malign doctrine of might-makes-rlght must be destroyed forever.

Have you learned that you, too, can fight in the battle for freedom? Lend your money to the Liberty Loans; give it to the Red Cross. Every dollar lent the government helps equip a soldier: every dollar to the Red Cross succors him In his time of need. If you are a patriot you can no more keep out of these “drives” than, if a soldier, you could refuse to go over the top into No Man’s Land. Dollars Are Soldiers. Dollars are soldiers, too! Your dollars will fight to end the war. Each private may think his own worth small —but all together they make an army. Your dollar seems small, but if each does his share the war will have sufficient backing. For your boy’s sake. If he is “over there.” subscribe! You would not refuse to help a pal? Well, you have a million pals! Help them ! Have you learned that the enemy is here—with us, too? The soldiers’ blood, in the trenches, is not only drained by flying shells —it Is sucked by rats and lice. Here at home we have a human vermin preying upon us. Just as evil and Insidious as the trench pests are the pro-German spies and propagandists and the pacifists who ■S?ek to Impede or discountenance the war. Watch them, watch for them, seek them out. Let no seditious word or act go unreported. Let the alien enemy subject declare plainly where he stands, whether he is for us or against us. If German born, urge him to jojn the League for Americans of German Origin and thus manifest at once his ineradicable love for the fatherland and his devotion to his adopted country. Those who are not for us are against ”us! t Have you learned that your patriotism is being tried by your faith and your works? Be not cast-down by defeat. Spread no rumors of calamity. When the dark days come, encourage the timid and fearful, reprove the alarmist and back-

sliders. Aroused now to the solemnity of our task, the duty will be performed to the end —victory! Yet only when every one does his full share shall that victory come. War Is Grim Work. Urge haste, urge thoroughness, urge unremitting effort. Take the war seriously, for war Is grim work, and we have an enemy who thinks of nothing but efficiency. Onr soldiers are not only to be amused, but armed and taught to fight. Insist that this comes first. More guns, more ships, more airplanes! Is your congressman or senator lagging? Punch him up. Act every day as If your life and your wife were in danger. They are! Speed up the war! Have you learned that waste la treason? Upon us our allies depend not only for men and munitions but for food and clothing. If our permanent liberty is to be won, they must for a while defend it fofus, till we, too, can fight. Shall we waste, then, while they want? While they are to be fed and clad, waste Is treason. Save wheat, save meat, save wool! The war needs everyone’s strictest economy. The good ship Democracy is sorely beset by the storm. Shall the passengers revel while the crew starve? Divide ! Divide, and save the ship lest* all be lost!