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Show u IMMEDIATE PEACE. The people whtj' are demanding an immediate, peace should reflect that on the basis. of present territory ,holk ings, this would leave Germany the winner of the war. Her autocracy would claim that it had made good, that its theory of government had vindicated itself, that autocracy autoc-racy is niore efficient than democracy, and that the necessity nec-essity of militarism ,had been thoroughly demonstrated. Germany would remain on her militaristic basis. That would make it necessary for all the other great powers to continue on the same basis. The United States would not forget Ambassador Gerard's warning, that Germany proposed to.collect the indemnity it desired from the United States. It also would remember Germany's aspirations for colonial holdings in Central and South America. Such holdings would be contrary to American principles and in defiance of our Monroe Doctrine. Universal service would be necessary in this countiy with a large standing army and a vast body of thoroughly trained men ready for instant mobilization. A vast equipment equip-ment of explosives, small arms, big guns of all calibres, air craft, coast defence, must be created. The navy would need to be greatly augmented, with a big number of submarines. sub-marines. This force would have to keep up to date with incessant changes. The United States would be spending several billions a year on its army and navy. If the United States will continue in this war with all its heart, it can put an .end to this menace. It is not a question of seizing any territory belonging to the German people. It is simply a question of demonstrating to them that autocracy does not pay. When that fact is demonstrated, demon-strated, they will reorganize on a democratic basis. Then the United States can disarm, or nearly so. It will be made much cheaper o fight it out for a year or two than to endure militarism indefinitely. |
