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PREPARE FOR PEACE NOW Every important nation except the United States is laying foundations for the period of reconstruction that will follow the conclusion of hostilities This country which is destined to play the big role during the coming era is drifting forward as totally unprepared for peace as it was for war The United States will have the biggest merchant marine in the world iu 1020 Intelligent legislation is required for the maintenance and successful operation of this great weapon for trade supremacy Entirely new international questions that are sure to arise in the near future should be considered in advance Tariff and finance will play important parts in the history of the next ten years These problems must be squarely met and intelligently solved Congress by keeping the governments future and present in ¬ terests on the calendar can make the way easier for the progress which the United States will be compelled to make as the dominant future world leader Americas legislators now have a golden opportunity to substitute real statesmanship for a dull routine that wavers between a scramble to hold to schedule and an apalliug waste of time on questions of political expediency Leslies
