Mukwonago High School - Arrow Yearbook (Mukwonago, WI)

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 ----T HE A R R () W—page fourteen President................................Gerald Goodman Vice President...........................Frank Sheridan Secretary................................Dorothy Ahrens Treasurer................................Joseph Borhofen Colors: Brown and Gold Motto: “Honors Wait at Labor’s Gate.” Y

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 T II E A R R O W----I’A K SIXTKKN UNITED STATES IN THE PRESENT CARNAGE The part the United States plays in this present war is both interesting and important, not only to us as students of American history, not only to you as American patriots, but to our foes and allies. The manner of U. S. en- trance into the present war is both startling and noble. Never before in all the annals of history has a power taken up arms in defense of helpless humanity, and in the interests of humanity alone. With nothing to gain, but everything to lose, it is a noble act which plunges a nation such as our glorious U. S. into the horrors of war, and leads the way to victory. Nor can these horrors be overestimated. Not only are millions and billions of dollars spent daily, and not only are millions and billions of lives sacrificed every day on the altar of greed and ambition, but think of the tears of the widows and orphans which nothing can quench, and the sorrow' of fathers and mothers which nothing can alleviate. Every day death stalks abroad on the battle field, taking away the son or the father from the fighting line, or the sweet daughter from her errand of mercy among the Red Cross workers; while far away, in the homes of the rich and poor alike, are the tears shed, and the sorrow for the victim of that day’s battle. And far away, in some dank, unhealthy prison, languishes the soldier, vainly hoping for his exchange, but often wait- ing in vain, while he often nears his “journey’s end” as a prisoner of war. Thus while we wait • at home in a fever of anxiety and uncertainty, the war goes on. each day adding some dear one to the list of dead, wounded and missing. But great as are these horrors, and great as is the suffering both at home and abroad, there is one thing that is greater. Yes, a thousand times greater and a thousand times more shameful and disgraceful! That is to stand back and let Germany ruthlessly carry on her submarine warfare, which sends to the bottom of the ocean the lives of our people for no cause whatsoever. It was a shameful act w'hich sent the Lusitania, with her cargo of human lives, to the bottom of the “deep blue sea.” It was a ruthless act which sunk the Asiatic and a score of others with their passengers and sailors. These are the victims of Germany’s inhuman warfare. And wliy? What is the motive back of these? What is the excuse for these cruel acts? There is but one answ'er to all these questions. Germany wants to build up a world-wide empire and intends to break up England’s sea power through U. S. And must our lives and the lives of our peo- ple of U. S. be taken for no reason at all ex- cept Germany’s ambition? No! Never! No, al- ways, and forever, no! Let us rise as one man to the call “to arms” as our congress and our government prepare to avenge these shameful acts. We are not content to be branded as “cowards” by the whole world! We are not content to have the finger of scorn and derision pointed at us because we are afraid to do our part across the seas! No! We, the people of U. S. and descendants of our brave forefathers, will follow the example of our illustrious Washington, and march on to victory. U. S. must do her part in this war. No turning back now. She must raise a grand army and send across the ocean and with the help of our allies repeat the glorious victories of England and France. We must avenge the insult offered our nation and the innocent lives so ruthlessly destroyed. Then, and only then, will wre consent to sign the treaty of peace. We must raise money to carry on our part in the war. The call has been issued for seven billion dollars. But more will be needed and yet more to enable us to carry on our warfare. We must have food, not only at home, but for our soldiers and for our allies. England needs food and wre must supply it in order to secure the victory w’e so earnestly desire. France is weakening and may be so crippled that she can only play a small part in the field. Russia may retire. Italy may not be able to do very much. But no matter. U. S. must do her part, and with Great Britain push on. Eng- land hopes to crush Germany and looks to U. S. for help. And U. S. must feed her allies, fight her battles and successfully float her war bonds. She must “tole” her share no matter how heavy it may be. If we are to uphold our honor and preserve the nation for which our forefathers fought and died and for which “Old Abe” sacrificed his life that she might stand united, we must fight Germany. And now, are we going to stand by while barbarians from the south and invaders from the west destroy their work?