70 C. U. C. P. ALUMNI JOURNAL May, 1918 



ment cannot be made at this time. It might have been made with some show of 

 force and strength and verity a year ago to a greater extent than tonight. But 

 even this does not mean that we are not ultimately going to prevail. It is a 

 great thing to live in lhe?e times ; to be a part in all that is transpiring. What 

 has changed the situation in a year? We had no idea that the great Russian 

 nation would, within a period of twelve months be under the control of the enemy 

 of civilization, but in effect that is the case. And what does this mean? It means 

 more than was at first generally supposed or the public understood and appre- 

 ciated. It means that Germany, starting out years ago to establish a great 

 C'ermanic state had no idea that her ascendency would prevail over Russia. But 

 that is what has happened. And what is more, it means that great states— great 

 in extent of territory and in political usefulness — of Asia are now many of thein 

 subject to the same influence. It means that Germany, intent upon her dream 

 to establish her empire in Asia, to divest Great Britain of her power in India. 

 is nearer to the accomplishment of that purpose than she has ever been before. 

 With Russia divided, with the states of that former empire and those territories 

 that were under its influence, now free to do as they will — some of them wiJl 

 undoubtedly come within the despicable influence of the German Empire, — the 

 road that she anticipated she would have to travel to India is no longer necessary. 

 She can find another road through Asia. But what is the additional significance 

 of the situation? It may be if her dreams are fulfilled that her empire will 

 extend into Asia as well. Remember that many of the peoples of Asia are 

 Mohammedans. Remember that Turkey is the ally of Germany. Think of the 

 possibilities of the impulse to an amalgamation of these religious interests 

 throughout Asia. I need not expand upon this point. I think I have said enough 

 to indicate that the Allied nations today have before them the greatest task in 

 history. What stands between civilization and despotism ? What stands against 

 the realization of the Germanic dream? Britain, France and Belgium, Italy and 

 Portugal and the United States of America have got to redeem the world, and 

 that is why everyone has his task to perform at this time. That is why these 

 graduates, nurtured with useful knowledge have a greater opportunity before 

 them todav than they would have had in other periods. What is this task we 

 have got to perform — that we must perform? The preservation of human 

 Hberty! Liberty will not be preserved by a compromise of principles or issues. 

 The defeat of the German dream is only possible through victory. Victory in 

 battle. To admit any other plan of settlement means that we would lose in fact, 

 because the compromise that would take place under any other form of de- 

 termination would leave civilization and human liberty in worse case than they 

 are today — would leave us with nothing to look forward to but other wars 

 impending from year to year. Why do we want this victory? We want this 

 victory for the sake of human liberty, but we want it for another pregnant reason. 

 We want it so that we may have an opportunity to sit at the council table and 

 there readjust the world. Readjust it in what way? For our own aggrandize- 

 ment in territory or material wealth? To see that other nations profit by this 

 war? No! That is not our purpose. That is not why we desire victory. That 



