The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1917-09-13
A STICK IN CIVILIZATIONS WHEEL
By Ida M. Tarbell of the vigilantes

perial government OF Germany to clear
itself of the charges of being at war
with freedom. with law and with hui
manity itself, have proved beyond
question that II Is upon these deepest
aspirations OF the world that it does
war.
Prussianism, as we have come 10
call the doctrine on which Germany
bases its attack on the world. believes
in itself and its superiority TO the rest
of us. II believes itself called 10
spread itself over the rest OF us in
spite of our liking i; or not. 1t be-
lieyes in war as the diyinely appoint
ed instrument for our conversion. Be
lieving this. 1t made good and ready
for it's great crusade. 1t developed
great. healthy. busy. trained. obedient
peopie-people who. for the sake of
the security they enjoyed in the per-
fectly adjusted machine. were willing
TO accept war which was to make
them richer. more powerful. rulers of
the earth. This war is but the first
campaign in the series which was to
Prussianize the earth. Study Ger
many's own teachings. follow the pa
tient. intelligent worming into every
nook and Granny OF the earth and you
cannot escape her intention. fantastic
as it seems, hard as it has been to be-
lieve it.
Germany struck group OF nations
cropping toward an entirely different
ideal nations only half-heartediy
military and that half so only by their
sense OF necessity. These nations
wanted only their own. They were
coming more and more to feel that
every little land should have its
chance, They wanted above all Peace
that the visions OF The possibilities for
people who lived ane worked honest.
N. visions still dim but yet unmistak
abIe-might be realized.
With every month OF this three
years of war it has become clearer
that either Prissianism or Democracy
must go down. What was true of
slavery in this country sixty years
ago-''We must become all one thing
or the other is true today We must
become all Prussian or all Democrat.
There is no peace in the world with
both. The stick must come out of
the wheel or we must take the road to
world of Imperialism.
What foiiies TO talk OF boundaries
now. to pirate Of indemnities aud an
nexs,ions. They are not The question.
nor can they be until the one question:
is settled. Free the wheel. and all
these matters will be adjusted by a
world free to be just. free so TO ar
range things that each shall get the
chance and that all nations-Ger-
many itself inclnded-shali have a
free play for peaceful democratic am
bItion.
To talk OF terms now is TO play the
game OF autocncy. What greater help
people could this autocracy ask than
propositions from the Allies? II would
enable them TO say to them-"You see
they must sue for peace. They're
beaten.-As always. we are omnipo-
tent Colt mit uns." And with that
curious mental obtuseness which goes
with belief in autocracy the people
would believe. though the terms the
government accepted were as severe
as the most intolerant ally might
name.
The German people have believed
their government impregnabie. They
still believe II so. The only possible
way to break the superstition Is to
break autocracy In Germany. Break II
until 1t is on its knees suing for peace.
Then and only then will that great
and wonderful people come TO itself
And then only will civilization. as
those of US who now call ourselves
democrats understand ii. have a
chance.