The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-24
Outlook Publishes Roosevelt's
First Word on Conflict.
Progressive Leader Finds Ex-
cuse for All Nations Involved.
IS PROUD of GERMAN BLOOD
'sSpeak Softly and Garry Big
Stick" Advice to q. 8.
Article Points to Belgium rs
Lesson of Moment.

AO66OA VI 4AAVAaAOWuo
New York. Sept. 24-Theodore Roose-
velt's first word on the great war In
Europe was published today. In an
article entitled '"The World War: It's
Tragedies and It's Lessons in the cur
rent issue Of the Outlook. he records
the claims and counter-claims OF the
warning powers and concludes with ar
appeal for the consideration by the ma
lions of an efficient world league for
the peace Of righteousness.
The article says in part:
I'VE of the United States have a
two fold duty in this crisis. We must
read Alright the lesson writ in fire and
ture against the onfau OF similar dis.
aster.
Moreover, we must not only stand
ready to act as an instrument for the
achievement Of a just peace, put also
do whatever we can to formulate ana
secure adhesion to some kind or Ell
Gent international agreement where
by the chances OF the recurrence OF
such worldwide disaster shall at least
be minimized.
the combatants 1t Is possible sincerely
to defend either of the opposite views
concerning their actions.
s4Stronx arguments can be advanced
on both the Austrian and the Servaan
sides as regards the initial cause OF
the war. :.
again, it can well be argued that 1t
was impossible for Russia not TO take
part Had she not done so. sne wouio
have forfeited her claims to the ieao-
ership of the smaller Slav peoples
ssWhen Russia took part. it may be
we'll argued tina. it was impossible TOT
Germany not to come to the defense OF
yet again, it is utterly impossible to
see how France could nave acteo oth-
"When once Belgium was invaded.
every circumstance Of national nonor
forced England to act precisely as sne
did act.
saThere is one nation. however: as
to which there Is no room Tor oi1Ier-
ences Of opinion, neither her wrongs
or the Justice of her actions.
ssBel1ium is not in the smallest De
gree responsible for any or the conol-
lions that rendered this war inevitable.
suddenly and out of q clear sky her
territory was invaded by an over
whelming Garman army.
Proud of German Blood.
ssThe men who shape German policy
take the ground that In matters OF
vital national moment there are no
such things as anstrac. t IN c .nu
man people. I am proud OF the Ger
man blood in my veins. When a ma
ton feels that the issue OF a contest
in which it finds itself engaged Will be
national life or death, it is inevitable
that It should act SO as to save itself
from death and to perpetuate Its life.
"It is certainly eminently desirable
that we should remain entirely neu-
trail and nothing but urgent need
would warrant breaking our neutral
ity If any outside power Is able to be
the medium for bringing peace, 1t is
more likely to be the United States
than any other. -.
Zone OF the main lessons to learn
from this war is embodied in the
homely proverb. Speak softly and
carry a big stick In other words it
is necessary to be respectful toward
all people and scrupulously to refrain
from wronging them. while at the
same time keeping ourselves ready to
prevent wrong being done us.
| The most important lesson for us. to
learn from Belgium's fate is that az
things in the world now are, we must
in any great crisis trust our national
safety to our ability and willingness to
defend ourselves by our own trained
strength and courage.
But in view Of what has occurred in
this war, surely it is time for the ma
tions to consider an agreement among
all the civilized military powers to
back Righteousness by force. Such an
dSTccncuI WOuAu CSeoOAioAA GA OAAASAS&s>
world league for the peace Of righteous
ness. Such an agreement could limit
the amount to be spent on ornaments
| and after defining carefully the inalien-
able rights of each nation which were
| not to be transgressed by any other.
could also provide that any cause Of
difference among them or between one
| of them and one of a certain number OF
/ DESIGNATED outside non-military nations
should be submitted to an international
court including citizens Of all these ma
| tions. chosen not az representatives Of
| the nations but as judges. If any ma
/ ton refused to abide by the decision OF
such a court the others would draw the
sword on behalf OF peace and Justice
/ and would unitedly coerce the recall
| citrant nation