The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-07
FOURTH YEAR OF WAR

FOURTH YEAR Of WAX.
1t is now more than three years
since Germany precipitated without
provocation war which has involved
large part of the world. and that
war still drags along with its waste
of life and property. Peace is still the
subject of active discussion; for it s
the one end which all nations seek,
and yet it's realization still seems re-
mote. Germany evidently wants
peace and wants it badly; not only be-
cause of long continued exhaustion
and threatened breakdown. but also
because she would rather discuss
terms while in good position for
making concessions and trades. So
long as she holds portions of France.
Belgium, Russia ard Southwestern
Europe, she is better able to negotiate
than when they are lost, as they must
be ultimately.
Our own preparations are being
pushed upon a most vigorous and ex-
tensive scale, and the determination
to do our full share will unquestion-
ably grow as time progresses, partic-
gle dawns upon that portion of our
people who have not even yet awak-
ened to the great issues at stake, nor
to the gravity of the situation. Aside
from the possibility of a collapse in
the internal affairs of Germany, there
is little chance for an early ending
of hostilities. She has been subjected
to many failures of her plans. Notable
among these is her submarine warfare
The submarine campaign has met it's
answer in our foreign trade returns
During the fiscal year ending June 80.
our overseas trade aggregated $685.
coo, 900, which was the largest total
on record, and exceeded the previous
record of 1916 by over .$2.400. 0OO. 0n0-
The relative impotence OF the sub
marine was further illustrated by the
fact that our exports, which are nat
urally objects of keener attack than
imports, amounted to $6,294,00O,0 900,
or $1.960.O0O,O00 more than a year
ago, which was the previous banner
year. The excess of exports over i'm
ports for the year was $3.635,oO0. 900,
against $2,1s5, 100000 a year ago.
So much for the submarine. which
was to destroy the commerce of Ger
many's enemies and frighten them
into submission. but has done neither
On the contrary, our commerce has
grown enormously and that of Great
Britain has been practically sustained
at nearly normal figures in spite of
the British loss of tonnage. The sub
marine policy instead of frightening
Germany's enemies, has simply made
them more determined than ever to
win this war. and exact retribution for
inhuman methods.
Another stimulus arising from the
German. submarine policy, which is
acting for our benefit and German
detriment, IS the wonderful develop
ment of American shipping In July
new shipping and shipbuilding con-
Germs with an authorized capital ag-
gregating nearly $2O,O0O,0O0 were in
corporated, making $330.000, 900 since
the war began. The bulk of this to-
tai, or $226,000.ooO, has been an
nounced since January 1. Great Brit
ain, the United States, Japan, Holland.
Norway and Canada are building
ships today at the rate of probably
more than 5.ooO.O 900 tons per annum,
compared with losses OF about 7,O0O,-
/ 900 tons or less. AS the worlds ton
mage is about 100000, the chances
of submarine success are growing less
and less in view of the rapid increase
in shipbuilding and the more efficient
methods of dealing with the sub
marines.