The telegrams from Washington suggest that Mr. Wilson still hopes
that the war may somehow turn out not to be war. Possibly he is hoping that the Russian Revolution may suddenly have a mighty echo in Berlin, or that the tired Turks or disgusted Austrians may break away from Germany. There are rumours of consider- able riots in Germany, and it is quite likely that these are true, but however true they may be, they do not make a war not a war. The American newspapers which habitually support the President have become very restive, so probably Congress will be glad of the chance of saying with Butler, " Things are what they are. . . . Why then should we wish to be deceived ? " We are reminded of the naval phrase, " Make it so," by which a competent authority confirms an accomplished fact. Without that confirmation facts are not officially recognized as having happened. The seaman reports the hour of the day. " Make it so," says the officer. Again, we think of the famous phrase in military orders : " The troops will break camp at 5.30 a.m. The sun will rise at 5.45 a.m." The immediate object of Congress seems to be to " make it so."
