THE RAMPARTS WE WATCH

[Music] the world was ready to believe anything by 1915 of a nation for whom frightfulness was an accepted principle of warfare and too isolated America the bombing of London came as a grave shock it was the first time an enemy had struck at English soil for nearly 900 years then early in 1915 appeared the German u-boat sinking without trace ship after ship armed or unarmed it was the German submarine which gave Americans their first real warning of how vital was their concern with Europe's war for America was a neutral nation and the rights of neutral nations on the high seas were being openly and flagrantly violated by Germany what a way for a civilized nation to fight a war why shouldn't they sinking the ships well why don't the submarines give warning so the crews will have a chance to get into lifeboats the Germans have got to sink ships if their cang munitions for the Allies and supposed to have Americans on them they shouldn't be there the German government has warned him what would happen they shouldn't be there huh don't make me laugh [Music] but far more fateful in its influence on American opinion and the loss of cargoes or questions of international law was the submarine steadily mounting toll of human lives [Applause] men like Theodore Roosevelt were now demanding forceful action to uphold the nation's traditional freedom of the seas but few Americans would believe that their rights were seriously threatened [Music] and if something Lusitania [Music] no circulation we have an extra coming up [Music] how many Americans avoid 228 96 point banner play up the American Act [Applause] the Germans that run a warning to Lusitania patented what do you mean in an ad the New York time in the time have you got a copy I didn't think they'd dare to sinkers the warning of the German embassy had attracted little notice it was unthinkable that Germany would sink the Lusitania her sailing had been set for a Saturday forenoon on her passenger list were some of the proudest names of two continents while the Lusitania was queen of the great cannot fleet it was to be a gay and festive voyage [Applause] nearly 2,000 souls were aboard 1,200 never reached Shore no single disaster in half a century had stirred American emotions more profoundly [Music] Wilson stands for this Hill stands for anything for what stands for murder murder of 114 Americans they shouldn't have been there an American citizen has the right to travel anywhere he wants to we ought to lick the Kaiser now and have it over with I'm gonna have a hard time getting the folks in Montana to go chasing after the Kaiser I suppose in Montana they don't care how many Americans get killed and what they say about the Lusitania well in Montana I think if a man goes out in the street when the shooting going on it's his own fault if he gets it [Music] anger and indignation deep and mounting swept every community in the land throughout the nation on the following Sabbath there were memorial services for the men the women and the children who were the Lusitania smarter Dead well boys what's on your minds we came to find out what you're going to do about the Lusitania to tell the truth I hadn't thought of doing anything John you're our congressman you know how we're feeling don't you think you ought to go to Washington and talk with President Wilson about this thing well now boys you don't walk in on the president just that way he's already said he'd hold Germany to strict accountability John we've been hearing about strict accountability for a long time it seems to mean that when a German u-boat killed some more Americans the president just sends another note what do you want to do you ought to go to Wilson and tell him he's got to act and act quick all right I can go to Wilson now you boys willing to go to war that's not the point John and you know it isn't the point is you want to do something but you don't want to do the only thing the Germans would understand whoa this country isn't ready to fight a war even if it wanted to just suppose I do go to the president suppose he says all right if you want a war you'll get it you want your boy to go to war Edie do you Frank I know how you feel I feel the same way but it's war or nothing and I still think it ought to be nothing us opinion was still deeply divided two demands for action Woodrow Wilson answered there is such a thing as a nation being too proud to fight it was a bitterly disputed phrase but other US citizens were going to war across the border thousands of young Americans of military age were joining famed Canadian regiments the Black Watch and the princess Pat's to fight alongside Canadians in a cause they believed to be just bought and sent overseas by the contributions of US communities driven by Americans who paid their own expenses nearly 100 ambulances by the end of 1915 were on the battlefields of France [Music] bearing the name of a French soldier who had helped America to win her independence the Lafayette Escadrille was an elite core of us volunteers [Music] in the American community emotion for the Allied cause was running high and in the town as important as this with the mainline railroad the reservoir the collagen all they'd be sure to have at least one spy honestly Dora do you really believe Elizabeth fencing as husband is a spy where there's smoke there's fire hello everybody and there's a death yes may I speak to you inhaled a moment please why certainly Sara I thought I ought to tell you but since we are working on bandages for the Allies we all feel that perhaps you and Hilda could make yourselves more useful somewhere else I'm not quite sure that I understand what you mean Dora with feeling as it is about the Germans I'm very sorry but I'm sure you will avoid unpleasantness if you go [Music] in every u.s. community by 1915 the lines were slowly being drawn between peace at any price and intervention on the war [Music] when I hear these fools shouting about being too proud to fight it makes my blood boil don't they know that the Allies are fighting to save our own civilization I'm glad you feel that way dad because I want to join the Lafayette Escadrille what I want to join the Lafayette Escadrille and go to France well water that's a fine sentiment but I'm afraid it isn't very practical you're hardly old enough for a thing like that of course I am dad I'll take you at 18 but Walter what about your college dad how can I keep my mind on studies with a wall going on that's going to affect the whole future of the world you will have much voice in the future of the world Walter if you go over there and don't come back I'll have to take a chance on that a lot of other people have [Music] why did you have to talk to me first Walter well it because my father's German Walter I love my father I'd do anything in the world rather than hurt him or let anybody else hurt him I know he wants the Germans to win the war what do you want Hilda I want you to go to France if you want to go I'd be proud of you come on boy hey carry yourself you've been great dad I know how you feel about it that's all right son goodbye mom I'll write you every week oh don't you worry Hilda [Music] [Applause] [Music] 600,000 casualties at their toll a million dead and wounded on the Somme on the minds of men the relentless pressure of war dragging on into a third summer [Music] at Jutland in the summer of 1916 the British Navy drove the German fleet to cover in the greatest sea battle of all time and for the first time Americans realized how great was their dependence on the might of the Royal Navy the whole thing boils down to this John if we had a big army Navy we wouldn't have to worry about getting into war I'm afraid they're some of my fellow congressmen who would agree with you jack well they're wrong and if Congress won't do something about preparedness we'll have to do it ourselves say Dan I want you to put something in your paper for me what about you know that Plattsburgh training camp idea Teddy Roosevelt and general would have started one here what for was a war going on in Europe you know as well as I do that if France and England are licked we're next you've been a soldier too long jack nobody's coming over here to fight us maybe not but suppose we have to go over there to fight them you know that's not going to happen by 1916 Woodrow Wilson now it could no longer ignore the growing demand for national defense Republican candidate was Supreme Court justice Charles Evans Hughes advocate of a strong and forthright US foreign policy [Music] that is the real issue the only real issue in this campaign the president has kept us out of war he has set notes to the warring nations of Europe that's all he has done it's a note yes the president has sent notes but he has not sent one single American boy to his death on the battlefield [Music] [Applause] [Music] 11:10 p.m. Madison or Scott Charles Evans Hughes has tied Wisconsin by a large plurality 11:15 p.m. The Associated Press reports that with five states still unreported Hughes is leading Wharton by a narrow margin [Music] is to a real President of the United States how's Emily use pre-ground drinker down is the Charlie goes finger down drink around here's the Charlie goes he's at the Woodrow Wilson skills around break around breaker town down with the campaign slogan he kept us out of war Woodrow Wilson was reelected [Music] [Applause] [Music] the war in Europe had long since become a merciless process of attrition to break the stalemate Britain had introduced the tank Germany was using liquid fire the war went on into another winter bringing death to some 5000 men each day [Music] war had already touched the American community in many ways by the summer of 1916 [Applause] we are Lafayette Escadrille is all Americans isn't it yes sir now what would happen to you if you're the United States should go into the world well I understand will be commissioned in the US Army Flying Corps hello how hello mr. Meredith it's good to see you it's good to see him back again all in one piece [Music] boy I guess the last thing you ever thought when you graduated was that it'd be an aviator and the French army say how old you have to be to go to France wanna house a party all right it's trouble Anna mother got a cablegram this morning my father was killed Anna do you think well we're able to be able to get back to America honors me well I don't know he's a sub-lieutenant now and they may not be able to spare it [Music] [Applause] [Applause] that's Jonah Oh like shoulder [Applause] adding the ranks you matter attention and while I'm on the subject I might as well get through your heads right now but you're not out here for a vacation you're here to learn to do a job job of defending your country maybe it won't be very long before you have to do that job and do it right are you just make sure coming hello dad oh my Rao she must be tired today no I'm fine this is fun do they give you plenty to be sure all I can hold don't worry mum Oh Ralph I can't help it I hate to see you in that uniform I hate it all Oh [Music] [Applause] [Music] in Europe on a dozen separate battlefronts by the winter of 1916 four million men had met death in ways new and dreadful and Germany had introduced the most terrible of all the first world wars new weapons poison gas chlorine and phosgene to choke the lungs and throat mustard to burn the eyes and skin [Music] to Americans the use of poison gas seemed more horrible and barbarous than any other single action of the German High Command and Americans were fast reaching a decision [Music] and and has also received the quoi de guerre for bravery in action can you imagine that guy Hal Fisher with his name all over the paper boy I guess I was born just a little too late don't worry we're gonna get our chance yet did I tell you I'm getting into the Naval Reserve Naval Reserve you ought to be in the National Guard I bet we go over the first week we're in the war [Applause] [Music] now no I think I'm going to sign up in the Marine Corps well I want to do something in we're going to be in this war Fred what will your father's saying I don't know but I'm going to do it [Music] [Music] by now pacifist songs were finding little favor why can't you make up your mind whether you're Germans are America come on let's get out of here [Music] today I didn't raise my father bill [Music] [Applause] [Music] fires and explosions of mysterious origin had plagued the nation's industrial regions for two years and Americans were now beginning to realize that these disasters were not all accidents thank you how do you do sir a video professor bensinger am i disturbing you not at all is there something I can do for you if you could give me a few minutes Justin Lee I'm Cal phone sly of the German embassy yes professor Benziger it is imperative we stop the shipment of American munitions to France in England as a German who is a respected member of this community your influence can help the fatherland ephram's life my home is now in America I have a wife and two children who are Americans if only for their sake I cannot take sides the war in Europe is a terrible thing naturally I wish I could do something to help the father but must be clear to you I cannot you know I must report your answer to Germany professor Benziger many Americans were beginning to suspect that the German ambassador count johann von Bernstorff was directing planned sabotage on a nationwide scale [Music] an explosion of munitions on black Tom Island New Jersey had rocked an area of 70 miles another explosion at Kingsland New Jersey destroyed in a few minutes millions of dollars worth of shells and ammunition time and time again came evidence that spies and saboteurs well organized and financed were attempting the systematic destruction of US munition plants the violence of war had touched the nation's shores and America's traditional sense of security was shaken to the core by 1917 Americans were facing the inevitable I think most Americans feel about the way I do John you know I've never believed the propaganda I've never been frightened by spies and I've hated war but the time has come when we've got to fight for the decent civilized things in life I know it's just that I hate to think that I'll ever have to vote to put this country into war [Music] more and more the war in Europe was coming into the homes of the American community I'm the office for a while I've got to deliver a message across town can't I deliver for you I think I'd better deliver this one myself [Music] [Applause] [Music] we'll run this one George [Music] the death of Walter April seems to have brought the war in Europe very close perhaps this war is no concern of ours perhaps we should be in it there are sincere thinking men and women on both sides and we are under terrifying pressure on this question from England and France and Germany come all kinds of reports most of them are half-truths some of them are lies but Walter Averell didn't go to France for lies he didn't go because of the lurid tales about the Hun and Bosch I think Walter believed in his heart the same as I believe in mind that there is the basic democratic principle and a primitive might makes right instinct and today these two are fighting to see which will survive I think that's the fight for which young Walter April was willing to give up his life [Music] like an open challenge to the United States in the first weeks of 1917 came Germany's declaration that she was resuming unrestricted warfare against the vessels of all nations belligerents and neutral now the German government tells us that she will let us send just one ship a week across the Atlantic we are told when it must leave when it must arrive and where we are told to paint stripes on it that it must fly a flag of red and white checks like a farmers tablecloth I think I can truthfully say that no man in this house has advocated caution more consistently has more consistently championed the cause of neutrality and peace now it seems that the efforts of all of us may be in vain if they are to be in vain and I say this let us thank God that we are on the side of justice and the right