The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-12
Edison Says She VIII Win
When She Loses.
Voted Inventor Celebrates
Birthday by Talking Wa-.
DISCUSSES MODERN WEAPONS
He Says Air Crafts Are Good
to scare.


Orange. N. J., Feb. 12.-"The allies
will win. but In Germany's defeat VIII
come her greatest victory, TOT ner
form of government will change 10
| that Of a republic ana witn1n MY
years she will be On top OF M All
This prophecy came Thursday night
from Thomas A. Edison, during his
celebration of the fact that ne nao
reached the age of 68 years. cele-
bration that consisted as always OF
more work than he performs on the
other 3S4 days.
THE war" said Mr.. Edison. has
not produced anything in the line OF
scientific invention. The only life de-
stroying device that stands out 10 the
~ centimetre gun used so well Oy the
Germans. 1t is a principal factor In
wiping out old methods of warfare.
THE Zeppelfns-in fact, all ar
| craft-were over rated, 1t is now clear.
They are practically useless in de-
stroying life and property and their
value now lies in their power to scare.
1.-The submarine is of twofold value.
They are not only intensely destruc-
tive, but they are more threatening
than surface warships. And that
brings up two questions now under
| discussion.
submarine BIockadcs.
''The use by a beLigerent of a neu-
| trail nations flag is not to be con-
demned-it has been practiced in all
| modern wars. And touching on the
| other question, 1 do not see why the
Germans are not within their rights
| in establishing a war zone in the
waters around Great Britain and Ire
land.
| What arouses comment is that this
is a new condition of warfare-a sub
marine blockade. whose effect is more
largely produced by fear than per-
Torrance. 1t is quite a cheap way of
blockading ports and l think our own
Uncle Sam should study that propo-
| sition, for his own protection. We
have opportunity to establish several
| zones and the use in them of three
or four hundred submarines would
throw scare into the vessels Of every
other nation"
What is your opinion as to the
probable length of the war and the
| victor?" the inventor was asked.
Il think two years more ill see the
end,'' Mr.. Edison replied.
1T is a question Of food and sup
plies. of course. If the Germans run
| short of food they will have to give
UP; I hsveEk Eoupt that the allies
matter how brave they are. Every
thing is against them. But think
Germany will win when she loses. In
stead Of vesting her governmental au-
thority in four or five men sitting
around a green table she will become
republic. or she will adopt the pres
ent English system.
with her superior training meth
DDS she will be on top of all of us
within fifty wears. She will have
| got rid of her terrible burden of
taxation-that is, II the allies don't put
in too large a bill, itemized. Her cap
tains of industry will be given
freedom to act for the best interests
Of Germany and themselves individ-
ually. When q country gives her cap
tains OF industry freedom Of action
that country will have prosperity
Mr.. Edison was not optimistic on
the prosperity outlook of this country
I'VE would have prosperity here
quickly II congress would adjourn for
five years." he declared. big bust
ness men here have lost their nerve
because of the volume of legislation
| put through under Roosevelt, Taft
and Wilson. You can't do anything
big until you give your great business
men opportunity to go ahead, curbing
them only when they become too
greedy or step over what used to be
st have talked lately with a number
Of men who go into these things and
am absolutely amazed at their atti-
tude. They are woefully depressed.
have tried to do business with men
who would not have hesitated a few
years ago, but I find them unnerved
and discouraged. That situation has
reached such q threatening stage that
feared 1t was overpowering me. A
few days ago I told my wife that If
should tell me at once. I am serious"