The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-22
HE SPEAKS TWICE
Col. Bryan Addresses Large
Audience at High School
And Another Select One at the
YIN. C. A.
He TALKS ONLY OF PEACE
Declares That Preparedness
III Leads Only to War.
Would Be in World War if We
Had Been Ready.

William Jennings Bryan did some
clever manipulating of figures last
evening at his lecture on the Cause
less War" at the high school audi
torium. He did not attempt to tell
his audience the amount Of money
asked by the house in its preparedness
bill but instead permitted his audi
ence to take it for granted that the
appropriations demanded by the navy,
army and Qualifications boards We're
those on which to prepare an analysis
of the preparedness bill.
Despite the censure and caricatur-
ing the man from Nebraska has un-
dergone in recent months he still
draws applause. Quietly Mr. Bryan
entered the high school auditorium
about fifteen minutes before his ad-
dress began. But some caught sight
of him as he marched up side aisle
with DR.. Charles NJ. Sheldon and a
round of tumultuous applause broke
forth. And during the address his
remarks were punctuated with ap-
plause by an audience which filled the
auditorium comfortably. Immediately
the lecturer launched into his pre-
paredness plan.
Europe's Preparedness.
=.'If war could be prevented by pre-
paredness.'' said Mr.. Bryan, there
would be no war in Europe today, for
they have spent generation getting
ready for this war. When the war
broke out those best prepared went
in first and others followed as they
prepared / honestly believe that If
we had been as well prepared as some
now ask US to be we would be in the
world war today shouting for blood
as Justify as any Of them. Prepared
ness means that might is right.
War may have been considered
necessary in the past but this cannot
be said today. And here is testimony
of this. When the war broke out the
president offered mediation and the
rulers of the nations involved an
swered and their answers We're so
much alike that one answer might
have served for ALL Each ruler said
IN substance: I am not guilty; 1 did
not desire this war; L am not to blame
for this war; someone else began it. >
The world is to be congratulated that
we have reached such a state of civili-
zation that no ruler in a civilized land
dares to admit that he caused this war
or even desired it.
The Duelist's Standard.
''The aG COATES of extreme pre-
paredness are preparing to taSten
upon this country the duelist's stand
ard of honor, and we know what this
standard is, because we had it in this
country a hundred years ago"
Continuing Mr. Bryan quoted fig
board and army board presented to
congress and permitted the audience
to believe these were the true figures
of the preparedness bill. No one oc-
cupied the stage with him. DR.. Shell
don introduced Mr.. Bryan and carried
a pitcher of ice water to a table. Then
he left. From Topeka, Mr.. Bryan
Went to Des Moines to lecture and
from there will go to Nebraska to par
iticipate in prohibition campaign
until April 8.
8 In an interview given out before
speaking at the auditorium, Mr.. Bry-
an approved the position of President
Wilson and expressed pleasure that
The is withstanding the pressure of
those who for three years have been
trying to force this country into war
with Mexico" 1t was notable that he
ibid not mention President Wilson IS
iname once and in the course of his adj
ldress spoke two or three times of 1.-The
ipresident."
! At Current Topic Club.
b Love is the only weapon for which
there is no shield" Bryan told mem
Bers OF the Y. NJ. c. A Current Topic
club last evening. Il believe literally
what Paul says, Love is the greatest
thing in the world" For over half
an hour the great pacifist preached to
the club members and their guests
of the wisdom of beating their
swords into ploughshares.'
A unique suggestion was made by
Bryan that we offer a few of the
hundreds of millions of dollars which
certain congressman are desiring tC
spend for preparedness as a peace Of
fering to the crippled powers In
stead of spending $500, 200, 900 to blow
peoples heads off let us take some
of these millions and go over in the
spirit of friendship saying AS evidence
of our love and friendship we come
here with a gift of 500, 0OO,O 600 witt
which we want to help you bind VI
your wounds
wouldn't this make an impress
sion? Isn't it worth the trying? L
wise men Travelled in search of tn,
Prince of Peace, following only
faint prophecy and bearing gifts, car
not we wise men from the west e
with gifts IN our hands to show ou1
loyalty to the Prince of Peace?"
- Tributes were delivered to Governo
-Capper and Charles M. Sheldon. TIL,
governor he praised as lone not afraio
to tell the world he isn't afraid
Sheldon he characterized as know
around the world by his endeavor t,
make Christianity apply to life
Following the talk the $50 bushes
men, members of the club. unani
mously endorsed resolution of ap
-preciation for Bryan's talk before tn
club.
- Training About All Over.