THE SILVER LINING

Criticism of our program as a warring nation tends too often toward censure. It is the faults, the delays, and the inefficiency that are pointed out, in no uncertain amount of reason what we condemn the activities of the War Department. for the proof of investigations tends to show that those men whose duty is to manage the military preparation have not altogether justified our trust in them. Errors are pointed out and discussed, in order to have them remedied. Not from malice nor from political prejudice do we try to discover faults, but the benefit by their elimination. At the same time, however, dissatisfaction over one subject causes un-intentional blindness to the merits of others, as we are silently contented to make few comments on beneficent results, or because a steady success attracts only casual attention, we over-emphasize the mistakes. There do exist, nevertheless, numerous causes for satisfaction, which deserve favorable criticism no less than others deserve unfavorable.

Although we may be slow in securing rifles and supplies, yet out contribution in funds has not been slight. To partially remedy the lack of men with complete training, equipment and accessories, we have furnished certain other "sinews of war." In ten months the Government has spent seven billion dollars, of which one half has been loaned to the Allies. To have used is no small aid to the nations struggling against Germany. Without investigations, censure, or even criticism valuable progress has been made.

Four-fifths of the Government's expenses have been paid for by Liberty Loans. In this way the bonds we bought last year are doing their share, and consequently part of ours, to increase the resistance to Prussianism. Commercialized America, the land of dollars, is showing Europe that her greed for money does not prevent a generous gift. To be sure, this only begins the payment of our obligations, but it is a propitious start. This actual and efficient aid can not be blotted out by any adverse criticism of our military participation.