The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-21
A HUMANE STAND
French Press LaudS Wilson's
UItimatum to Germany.
Indictment Surpasses All Prece-
dents Between Nations.
AN APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE
"One of the NOblest Acts in the
Memory of Mankind"
Triumph of Justice and Liberty
if Germany Gives In.
AN APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE

Paris, April 21.-The comment of
the French press on President Will
sons address to congress may be
summed up in these words, which the
Petit Parisien prints in large type as
a heading over the text of the speech:
NEVER HAS THE HEAD OF
A STATE PRONOUNCED SUCH.
GRAVE WORDS AGAINST A
STATE WITH WHICH IT WAS
NOT AT WAR"
The presidents address has made
a deep impression in France. All the
newspapers give it the place of honor.
1t overshadows the British cabinet cri-
sis and even the arrival of Russian
forces at Marseilles. The speech is
not merely a formal injunction, the
Petit Parisien says, it is a closely knit
and stern indictment, pronounced in
the name of all neutrals, against
German barbarity and, duplicity,
marking the German government with
a brand which nothing can efface."
Spokesman of Humanity.
The Matin characterizes the address
as epoch-making and continues,
when the responsible and almost
sovereign head of a hundred million
free citizens mounts the rostrum in
congress to declare we are the spokes-
men of the rights of humanity he has
performed an act of immense moral
Importance. 1t is in the name of le-
gaIity that this statesman, having be-
hind him the country on which the
whole world depends. declares before
the world:
we will not tolerate injustice
I'm these few words his whole mes
sage is summed up. 1t is an historical
event which is deserving of our ad-
miration as one of the noblest acts
in the memory of mankind"
Stephen Pichon, former foreign
minister. says in the Petit Journal that
the firmness and solemnity with which
Mr.. Wilson made known his resolution
to congress recalls the greatest days
of American history. He continues:
Matter of Conscience.
Whether or not the Germans dis
aVow the action of their submarines
they are caught in their own trap and
all presumption falls to the ground
before the calm and resolute attitude
of a great country standing up for the
rights of humanity"
Under the heading. Germans
Confronted With an Honest Man, 3"
Jean Herbette, one of the leading
French authorities on international
politics, says:
'The German government must be
surprised to find itself face to face
with the only force of which it is ig-
nurant-conscience. If Germany
gives in, it would be the triumph of
that ideal of justice and liberty against
winch Germany went TO war. Inc
sinking of a few ships more or less
would not affect German interests
greatly but how could Chancellor Won
Bethmann- Hollweg mention Belgium
and Poland as pledges in his peace
programs, if the submarine, that other
disIoyally acquired wea pom. had been
knocked out of his hand by a cham
pion of the right? The rules of Ger
many cannot with impunity open a
breach in the fortress of their in
EQUITIES"
All American Nations Approve.
Buenos Aires, April 21.-In COM
menting on the American note to Ger
many, La Nacion says that the United
States, in taking up the defense of all
neutrals places itself in position with
which neutrals are in extreme SYM
pathy. 1.-The United States is the one
great neutral power says the news
paper, consequently its voice must
carry the greatest weight, not because
of its civilization, it's democracy and
it's economic capacity.
All American republics partici-
pated in the same sentiment and greet
with profound political sympathy the
constant desire of President Wilson
to render less grievous effect of the
war and to enforce respect for neu-
trails.
THE work makes for the solidarity
of civilization and Christian brother
hood"