EFFECT OF AMERICAN ENTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1700, 19 April 1917, Page 4

EFFECT OF AMERICAN ENTRY.

Writing on America’s attitude to the war just after the breach of diplomatic relations, Mr T. P. O’Connor said: —“1 have never lost th.e iiope that before this war was over we might see every free nation in the world joining in the hunt of the mad dog. Apart from the effects of America’s action on neutral countries, I look with confidence to its effect on the German people themselves. Be it remembered that there is not even a small village in Germany which is without relatives and correspondents in some parts of the United States. The UsiriOciation between Germany and America is accordingly intimate and continuous, practically daily through letter and newspaper and relative. After all, with all their insane selfconceit, the Germans are an intelligent and educated people, and assuredly it must have some effect on their belief in either the justice of their cause or the chances of their armies to find that the greatest of neutral countries, in spite of the millions #f their blood among its has come out decisively against them. I look to this declaration of America as being to the allies as much worth as the winning of several big battles. Next to the pressure of famine, it is the most demoralising factor yet brought against the staying power of Germany in this year’s fighting. I find there is speculation on the part which America may play in the conference that must follow the war. With obstinate optimism Ger-

many may look to the entrance of America into that conference as ifkely to bring advantage to Germany. It is palpably the most delusive of hopes. What can there lie in common between the brutal arrogance of German autocracy and German militarism and the pure democracy, with all its democratic ideals of such a country as the United States ?”