THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WAR

With every sign pointing towards an immediate declaration of war by the Congress that convenes today, it is well to consider what the country's attitude should be after the decision. On the supposition that war is declared against Germany before the end of the week, what will be the object of such a war? In a military sense according to the principles of international law the object will be "to procure the complete submission of the enemy at the earliest possible period with the least possible expenditure of men and money." Politically this nation will aid in the final overthrow of a Prussianized aggressive government that has shown a continued disrespect for the traditional rights of belligerents and neutrals alike. It would seem idiotic not to be able to conclude from these two statements the obvious course of action for this country. Yet many of us feel that a mere declaration of war is all that is necessary to regain our national honor and make us a glorious ally of the Entente. Naturally, this step will give a certain amount of moral support to the Allies, but real war is not composed of moral support alone. The man who stands with arms folded while his brother is struggling to throw off a madman might as well not exist. He may have the best wishes in the world for his brother's safety, but what good is he? America must regard the declaration of war as the overture to a tremendous movement of preparedness activity. First the army and navy, and then all our financial and economic resources must be mustered for the immediate successful pursuit of the war.

Just as the individual never wants to remain inactive and useless when his country is at war, so we as a nation cannot cowardly stand aloof and lend our moral support. We are all citizens of the United States, and we are proud of our country. Let us resolve to make other nations admire this country at war even as they have always admired us at peace.