Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-19
GERMANY IS WILD
BEAST OF EUROPE
Secretary Lansing Predicts
Speedy Termination of
"Hideous Inhumanities"

Princeton, N. j.. June 19.-Sec-
retary of State Robert Lansing,
speaking at the 10th commence
sity, characterized Germany as the
wild beast of Europe" and predict
ed a speedy termination of the
"hideous inhumanities" of that gov
ernment. All of the diplomats con-
nected with the allied governments
in America who. with Secretary
Lansing and Herbert Hoover were
given honorary degrees, cheered the
arraignment.
This war, in which we are en-
gagged" said Mr.. Lansing, ''is a war
for democracy. 1t is war of free.
self-governing peoples, against the
despotic rulers of Germany, who
would enslave the world as they
have enslaved their own people and
their unfortunate allies. The I'M
perial German Government is
possessed and has long been possess
ed by the lust of world domination.
1t is the old madness for universal
empire which in past ages made OF
the earth a shamble and brutalized
humanity. To-day the great demo-
cracies of the world, here represent
ed, stand shoulder to shoulder in
defense of human liberty, in de-
fense of the rights of nations both
great and small, in defense of those
principles of truth and justice which
are the foundation. stones of modern
civilization.
Reluctant to Fight
THE United States, like all nations
in which the will of the people is the
sovereign will, was slow to act. The
American people abhor war for
wars sake. They were reluctant to
enter this great war as they hoped
and many for time believed that
the German government would
realize that the world would never
again submit to a military despotism.
The hope was vain. We saw the wild
beast of Central Europe tear in
pieces peaceful Belgium. We saw
those denominations of barbarismr
massacre and slavery and pillage, re-
| vived at the imperial will. We saw
the assassins of the sea and of the
air rejoice over the wanton slaughter
of defenseless women and children
| and we saw these same butchers re-
warded and praised by their masters
| for their hideous inhumanities.
Aroused at last by these repeated
| crimes against humanity to a full ap-
probation. of the evil character OF
the military oligarchy of Germany
the American people realized that
the liberty and peace of the world
were at stake. National safety as
we'll as our duty to mankind COM
| PEELED us to act.
Victory Certain
I'VE have cast our lot with the
| brave nations which are fighting foI
| democracy. We have taken up the
sword and with Gods help we will
not lay it down until Prussian depot
| ism has yielded to the united demo
cracies of the world, and liberty, the
| liberty of Europe, the liberty oi
America. the liberty of Asia, is made
sure for all time. No service is toe
| arduous, no sacrifice too great, tc
accomplish this great purpose. We
entered the war deliberately. We
have counted the cost. and we are
ready to pay the price. There car
be but one end to this titanic struggle
the triumph of democracy over
absolutism.
What then could be more appro.
pirate and inspiring than that here
| in this spot made sacred by the
patriotic memories of its share in. the
pil III VI AIIleilCdH llDeFly anu ueIno-
cracy we should celebrate the union
of the Nations battling again fol
/ liberty and democracy.
"One hundred and forty years age
| American freedom was the stake
| To-day the stake is the freedom OF
! the world. AS we Won then, so will
we win now. 1t cannot be other.
wise. for the peoples who love.libertl
have determined that in the years tc
| come justice and righteousness shall
! be supreme on the earth"