The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-01
THE FACE TO COME.

"A general European war appears ~
be inevitable. This is deplorable
More than thst 1t Is q disgrace to the
civilization and the Christianity pro-
fessed by the nations that will par
ticipate. They are tearing at each
Others throats without anything like
sufficient cause. Indeed. In this oay
Of grace, there should be no such thine
as an adequate reason for war be-
tween two or more civilized powers.
But the pretext on which Austria has
assaulted Servia is most trifiing, In
view Of the apologies that Seryia ten
dered. And 1t is nothing but the
jealousies OF their prestige and the
Unsuitable appetite OF their rulers Tor
ACKNOWLEDGMENT that are dragging
some of the other nations into the
struggle, notably Russia and Ger
many. On the other hand, the rest OF
the major powers in Europe. France
and England must get in the game
for their own.
Such q war az this has Jeen in the
making for a generation. Europe has
been as a volcano for the past decade.
Only the slightest Of sparks has been
explosion. and one that would write
the bloodiest page that history has
ever known. They've been military
mad in continental Europe for many
years. They've developed their armies
and their navies as we'll to tremendous
proportions. This has been the means
they have used to exhibit their power
and their Increasing importance on
the worlds stag. With such weapons
for a fight, there has been a chip on
every European monarchial shoulder.
And because Of these tremendous mil
itary machines Of which they are pos
sessed, one has been afraid to start
with another. Their petty
grievances against each other have
been piling up for years. All that has
been needed to cut loose their dogs OF
war was for some one of them to
move in that direction. That has hap
pened, but from an almost wholly un-
expected quarter. 1t Is two OF the
smaller nations that have set the fire
of war which is about to spread into
terrible confiagration.
But there is no cloud SO dark. not
even a war cloud, that has not an
inner lining or two of silver. One
such in this connection is the obvious
fact that this war cannot last long. The
burdens that most of the ma
tons involved have been carrying for
years have long since been on the
point of crushing them. The cost OF
the war in prospect, regardless OF the
multitude of the lives. that will be
sacrificed, the immense amount OF
property that will be destroyed, and
the misery that will be effected-the
cost in money will assume proportions
so fabulous as to be difficult of appre-
citation. 1t will be financially impos-
sible to continue the war for any num-
Der of years. And the compactness OF
the territory that will be it's scene, and
the facility with which the different
armies can be modified and dispatch
ed to the front, augurs for speedy bat
Ties that are likely to be of the de-
cis;ve variety. -4s
No matter how brief the war may
be, though, it's ramifications will be
extensive. 1t is likely to paralyze the
business Of the world
while it is in progress. It's effect on
make business boom in the export
ines that are not classed among the
of war. but they would be
likely to be only fraction of the inn
nense volume of stuff that now leaves
his country daily to supply European
demands. And the chances are that
many business enterprises here may
suffer seriously, and especially some of
he larger ones that look to Europe
or much of their capital. as that will
be shut off by the war. Even
he prices CT fcodstuffs may go higher
han they are now, for this country is
dependent OIL foodstuffs
imported froll European countries.
The transportation of which would be
certain to be interfered with by the
war.
The brightest side of this horrible
conflict, however, is that it is likely
% be the last great war that this earth
hall know. 1t is almos. certain to
De the f)yerunner of the universal
peace for which so many Intelligent
'ouls have been praying and striving
or so long. The peoples who will be
most directly affected by it, and suffer
masses that their forefathers were a
century AMI two ago. After they have
the throes Of this conflict,
hey are likely to protest in voices that
will not be Ignored against any further
'ollies of Inilitarism and the strife it
IS certain to engender. The wise mon
archs will heed them. They will rule
n the future as their people will d.
rect. The unwise will be shorn Of the
velvet rpoes of office and driven from
their thrones.
And SO, terrible as this war will be,
is eventual compensation Of a peace
without end will be the greatest boon
FOR which Humanity could ask. The
price that will be paid for II, though,