12
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
weakest are crushed and the fittest survive. Those questions are for
wiser men than I. Answered they may be indeed, must be; but only
after the world has recovered its balance and men are able to view the
issues in the clear perspective that time can only grant.
Nor am I primarily concerned with the outcome of the war and the
possibility of establishing a permanent peace. I know not whether, as
some predict, this war is but the last great conflict, the horror of which
will be such that mankind will take effectual steps to banish forever the
institution of war. I cannot say that the universal peace that is today
the one great yearning of mankind is to be gained by the fear inspired by
great armaments, or by the world-wide agreement to disarm, or by the
sanction of neutral power invested with authority and clothed with
force to effectuate the decrees of a world tribunal. Of tremendous in
terest and import as are these questions, it is not to them that I look for
my theme, but rather to two of the war's reactions that may seem to
apply to your life and mine.
As I have said, there can be no question that so great an orgasm will
exert a powerful influence on the institutions, the standards, the ideals
of the world.
The first of the two considerations that I desire to present is that of
efficiency especially that of the German nation. Whatever we may
think of the German cause, we cannot but render our fullest tribute of
admiration to this paramount quality. For nearly a year now, Germany
(and when I say Germany I include the Austria-Hungarian monarchy,
because these allied nations represent the same character so thor
ough has Germany dominated the sister nation) for nearly a year has
Germany held at bay all the great nations of the world, America alone
excepted and not only held them at bay, but so far, has won the
balance of victory. These nations represent quadruple her resources both
in men and in wealth. All that she has done is simply because of the
greater efficiency of Germany as a people.
In this marvelous demonstration of efficiency, we find several salient
features. One is preparedness the ability to look ahead and provide
against all possible contingencies. Another is knowledge. In her ex
periments, her research, her information, her mastery of facts, her
scientific discoveries and inventions, German has set the pace for the
world. And this great body of applied knowledge is giving Germany
an incalculable advantage. Another factor is the willingness to take
pains. Attention to detail is one of the marvels of the German system.
Nothing is overlooked. Suppose, at the outbreak of the war, a German
citizen who had been residing in America, desired to return to fight for
the Fatherland. Upon arriving he goes to a building somewhat analo
gous to one of our armories. In a certain room he opens his individual