The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-28
Father Writes for Son to Enter
Big Conflict.
But She'll Never Be Defeated,
Says Loyal Son.
Interesting Interview From
Foreigner in Capital City.


Foreigner in Capital City.
The European war was not brought
about by the attitude of the German
kaiser but by the hatred and jealousy
Of France and her allies toward the
German nation. This is the conviction
of Amos Achtel. q native OF Germany
and a reserve in the kaiser's army, who
came to America two years ago to COM
plete his education and Is now staying
at 1923 Taylor street, waiting for the
German consul to devise some way Tor
him to reach Germany and join the
army. His father has written for him
to come home and fight for his country.
THE German people are more in ia
vor of the war than the kaiser" said
Mr. Achtel. The will of the kaiser is
for peace. This was demonstrated in
the Morocco crisis of 1911 when world
prevented only by the kaiser. The Ger
man people wanted war but the kaiser
said no.
Under the oppression and the atti-
tude of the allies Germany was forced
to take up arms or lose her respect In
the eyes Of the civilized world. The
Germans are not fighting for the SUI
premacy of Europe; but fighting for
existence.
England has cut all the cables rum
ming into Germany and is doing all in
her power to prejudice the world
against Germany.
america can have no greater friend
than Germany. Americans who were
stranded in that country when the war
began were treated we'll
The Belgium Matter.
Much criticism has been directed
against Germany because she invaded
Belgium. The German government Of
tn Rn1Ufnno for all DANA
done by the troops. Had not the Ger
man troops bell thrown into Belgium,
England and France would not have
hesitated to seize the country and use
it for a supply base in order to invade
Germany. 1t was q case OF first there
gets it,
II believe the king Of Belgium will
soon realize that he made great mis-
take. Other little kingdoms that al
lowed the kaiser to march his troops
through them will be fully paid for all
las to the great German losses that
have been reported: I do not believe
them. It IL impossible that the Ger
mans lost $4,000 men during the first
few days fighting before Liege. The
fighting was done by the advance guard
of the army and the cavalry screen
which covered the advance of the main
body of troops.
1.-THE Russian advance upon Ger
many cannot be driven back and is
only being held in check. They will
not penetrate far into Germany be-
cause of the home defense.
Looking Toward Turkey.
81 expect Turkey to be a big factor
in the fight. With German officers in
command they will do much to hold
back the Russian advance.
II do not believe that many of the
crimes reported to have been commit
ted against the defenseless people
along the line Of march of the Ger
man army to be true. OF course, in
an army so large as the kaisers there
is bound to be some scOundrels. But
most of the reports are given out to
fire the hatred of the French people
against the Germans. Since the
! FrancO-Prussian war of 1870, the hate
of the French against the Germans has
been terrible The fact that the Ger
mans have burned villages through
which they passed was done because
they were forced to protect themselves
from shippers and was done according
to the rules of war.
1.-The reports that part of the Ger
man people are against the kaiser in
the war are untrue. OF course. part
of the public opposed war bitterly, but
| the opposition was no more serious
than the political fights in the United
States.
Wants Him to Fight.
81 received a letter from my father
! in Germany Wednesday asking me to
some home at once and fight for my
| country. The letter states that pO-
i Iitical differences have been forgotten
and every man who Is able is taking
| up arms.
| when the peace treaty is signed
and the war ended Germany may be
| the loser in this war, but she will new
err be defeated The Germans are now
| fighting for their homes and they will
never suffer themselves to be ruled by
another country"
| Mr.. Achtel has served year in the
/ German army, according to the laws
| of Germany. Should he be able tC
return to mis- country he will take the
required summation and be made a
lieutenant. All his relatives and
| friends in Germany are now in the
| army His sister is in the field with
the Red Cross.