Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1920 — LETTERS FROM OUR READERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

A Soldier View of Republican ProGerman Vote-Getting Scheme. Many people are considerably disturbed over the question of the league of nations. t A fog of political dust has been stirred up until clearvisioned men and women can hardly see which way to go. These people have reposed confidence In some supposedly great man, thinking he Is a statesman. His exposition of many subjects have been according to their way of thinking. They conclude they cannot be led very far

astray by following his leadership. Herein lies their difficulty. In the years 1915 and 1916 this “statesman” believed and advocated that the United States should declare war on Germany and throw our force behind it. His concern was not for the mothers’ sons, who must back up his position, but a great principle which he said was in danger. He

criticised the president tor not urging congress to declare war. His position was that the U. S. should join (league with) the allies to protect a weak nation and also for self protection. He could see no danger to the U. S. in leaguing with the allies to make war. After the anwistice was signed this same president, whom he criticised for not forming a league of war, proposed a league of nations to secure peace for all time to come. This league provides tor disarmament, which must lessen the possibility of war. Now their statesman and leader has changed front. He is afraid for the U. S. to join with our allies to make and keep peace. After the armistice was signed, he begah to throw a shadow of suspicion over our allies. When he wanted us to enter the war he did not even mention that every able-bodied mother’s son would be called upon to cross the Atlantic to fight. But now, when we propose a league to keep peace. Jie fears these mother’s sons will have to leave home to fight! “Oh, consistency, thou art a jewel!" He is not now concerned over any great principle. His suggestjon is that we desert our allies and make a separate peace with Germany. »This great monster of 1914, 1915 and 1916 is not a monster at all, but a lamb. We need not fear the Huns —the real monsters are our allies. Why should not many be confused when their “statesman” changes front like that? But someone says it is different now, as a campaign for votes is on. Exactly so. It is very plain to many of us that the mother’s sons in whom he is so much interested are not those who defended his country for him. If his interest is in any sons at all it must be of a far-distani generation. He cares not to forsake the cause for which these sons offered their lives and many gave their lives, if only he can make friends with the pro-Ger-man voter. He may get a few proGerman votes, in fact he should have all of them, but the 4,000,000 men who wore the khaki and blue, as well as their fathers, mothers, sisters and sweethearts can see through his vote-getting scheme. Already many have seen the.--light and many more will before Nov. 2. The confusion will be over so soon as the people see the length he is willing to go to get a few pro-German votes. A SOLDIER.