Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1918 — A WARNING! [ARTICLE]

A WARNING!

With the hearty approval and the unqualified endorsement of Governor James P. Goodrich, the Indiana State Council of Defense says to the people of Indiana that until the war is brought to a successful conclusion there can be no division of sentiment regarding the plain duties ahead of us. The State Council backs up President Wilson’s message of Oct. 14th in reply to Germany’s peace proffer. It is the evident will of our people that we shall not discuss terms of compromise with violent criminals who are still intent upon crime. We ask the people of Indiana ■to be guided in • their judgments at this time by the opinions of our trusted soldiers who are at close quarters with the .enemy, by the unanimous expressions of our best military experts and by the deliberate pronouncements of our most prudent statesmen. . Be guided by them and do not be misled by the plausible promises of those who break their promises. Let the verdict of the American people be that peace can not come until all the evil forces we combat are made helpless. The enemy of civilisation must not be allowed to appeal to the laws which he is trying to destroy. Let us not be duped into believing that peace can come before the just objects of the war have been accomplished. To think or act in peaceful mood at present help to the enemy and discouragement to all of our forces organized to win the war. ’

The State Council of Defense joins with the people of Indiana in declaring that the war spirit, which now carries us to victory, is not to be chilled and destroyed by deceptive and carefully-timed peace propositions. To secure the only peace under which the world can live in safety, we must drive on, with no let-up of speed or energy or stubborfi determination. There must be no slowing down of war activities. It is more than ever important that the Fourth Liberty Loan shall be fully subscribed. • The State Council of Defense calls upon the county councils and all of the community councils to support the Liberty Loan with the utmost zeal iand continue all other war activitdea with hard and earnest persistence. The kind of peace that we and our allies must secure, in justice to the millions who have died, will not come soon if we relax our efforts. A desperate foe, even at bay, will not be overcome by half-hearted opposition. Throw in every reserve force that will help to win the war and win it speedily. Also remember that the agents of justice and not the criminals still at large must dictate the final verdict.