Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII : $b The Great Results of the War
History
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII : $b The Great Results of the War
League of Nations; Treaty of Versailles (1919 June 28); World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Economic aspects; World War, 1914-1918 -- Finance
It had been said that the first campaign in its directive agencies was
largely hit and miss. When it was over the strikes were recorded and the
misses eliminated for the preliminary work of the Second Loan which was
to follow in October. Out of the mass was evolved a system of methods
that served as the groundwork of the real organization. The results
afforded a working basis that would have carried a dozen loans through,
granting that the people remained faithful to their patriotism.
THE APPEAL
Let it be admitted that in the first loan there was no defined appeal.
We were in the war and in to win, that was sufficient. It was foreseen
that the psychology of the public must have a central theme for the next
loan to which it must respond. The Second campaign began on October 1,
1917, after the embarkation of the nucleus of the vast army that
eventually was to overwhelm the foe. None of them yet had been called
into action. The keynote of this drive was the education of the people
on the meaning of a German victory. We had before us the ghastly stories
of what the Germans had done in Belgium and in France; we had to throw
ourselves into the conflict to keep our own homes safe.
The eyes of all Europe, our Allies and our enemies, were upon us. It was
clear that by the results at home we would be judged, as we had not yet
had the opportunity to show ourselves in the field. For four weeks and a
day the campaign went on, this time for $3,000,000,000. The appeal which
touched the heartstrings of all persons served a double purpose. Not
only did it carry the message of the Loan, but it knit closer the
sentiment of the whole American people to the purposes of the war.
Through its constant reiteration it had the effect of a prayer and like
a prayer gained added meaning with deeper thought.
Thought was compelled through its manifold repetitions. All the
functions of life were linked with it, all the recreations, all the
relaxations embodied it in part. It formed the backbone of conversation,
it became a part of every daily activity. It assailed the eye at every
turn, it smote the ear constantly, it crashed into consciousnesses in
every conceivable form. Through a strange paradox it linked a fear and a
hope. It embraced the whole gamut of emotions.
GROWING RESPONSE
Again there was a resounding response. In the First Loan the
subscriptions were limited to the actual amount of the issue, but in
the Second all subscriptions were accepted. The number of those who
took bonds was increased more than 100 percent.--it reached 9,500,000,
to be exact, and the $3,000,000,000 issue went to $3,808,766,150.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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