The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-15
ON A PEACE QUEST
How a Party of Topeka Men
Journeyed to Chicago.
And Brought About a. RestOra-
ton of AmicabIe Relations.
(By Chas. L. Mitchell.)

The Peace Conference Commission,
headed by Henry Ford Elliott, depart
ed at 3:15 p. m. on Tuesday, the 18th
day of January. on a Rock Island
steel cruiser for the Rock Island
Hague headquarters. Met other MEM
bers of the Commission who had sail
ed on an earlier ship, at the Congress
Hotel Bar Association Headquarters.
We were greeted by a bell hop call
ing, Call for Lord Hodgins," and
upon inquiry said bell hop admitted
that Sad HOdgins was paying him so
cents trip through the Congress no.
tel corridor to call Call for Lord
Hodgins." When faced with the fact,
Sad admitted that it had been the am
bition of his life, ever since he came
from Ireland, at the age of 8 years,
to hear his name ''bawled OUT in
some large hotel.
A call for Sir John Nicholson" re-
vealed the fact that a noted suffra-
gette was after this rich young mil
Ter from Kansas.
The Commission met in the Blue
Room and organized and adopted a
constitution and a bylaw. They then
proceeded 10 the German headquar-
tiers, presided over by an IrishInan
named Gordon, and demanded repara-
ton and restitution for the loss of
some forty American citizens from
the neutral port OF IOpehd-
Demands Are Backed Up.
They proved to one said Lord
Kitchener German, by reports com
piled by our honored utilities COM
mission, that Topeka had not been
given the protection and forces to
which she was entitled, according to
the assessed valuation CT her terri
tory as compared with that of other
territory which was being more close
ly guarded. They pleaded that these
hostile demonstrations cease, and Gen
eral Manager Beacon be ordered to
replace the damage done to our COM
munity, and that as quickly as pos
mand of THE people" that our Peace
Treaty with them be annulled.
After much discussion and learned
consideration, Lord Kitchener Cor
man divulged his plans. although
pleading that it was not the oppor-
tune time to do so, nor according to
military tactics to di Iulge what the op-
posing plan of the army would be.
He confidentially advised that they pur-
posely laid a trap for the forces of
doned the Topeka trenches to lead
said foreign forces to take said To-
peka trenches. and after occupation
of the Topeka trenches by said foreign
forces that General Manager Beacon
would return with his army and take
them prisoners of war and hold them
at Topeka headquarters as such. This
result may take a little time to work
out, but such is the plan of Lord
Kitchener German.
Dared to Do 1t.
He also threatened 10 put the equip
ment repair department and portion
Of the commissary headquarters at To-
peka. and make it the base of much
supplies for future operation. He
was dared in no unfriendly way to
do it.
The commission feels that they ac-
complished much. and each one indi-
viduaily feels that war will soon be
over and business conditions be re-
sumed with an even marked increase
over the conditions as they existed be-
fore war was threatened.
The above report agreed to and
signed by the members of your COM
mission, who make affidavit that they
were not guaranteed salaries or ex-
penses by any newspaper, corporation
or Commercial club body.