The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-06
NEAR NOW
All Factions in Washington Be-
Iieve War Near End.
Gerard's German Book Causes
Little Surprise.

washington, Aug. ether is a SEN
timent in congress which would listen
now to peace proposals OF almost any
sort. There is a considerable group
there, including the ''wilful men" who
have opposed the war and all the steps
to help carry it on, which would like
to see hostilities suspended on almost
any terms and then make the final
settlement in international conference.
But the administration is deter
mined, as it always has been, that
no talk of peace will be entertained
until the German military machine
either is crushed on the field OF crush
ed at home by being forced to dis
gorge it's conquests.
There is one point upon which the
two ends of Pennsylvania avenue meet
both believe that the end rs not far
off. The White House and the state,
war and navy departments are lmost
hourly being confirmed in their i'm
preston that the German bolt has
been shot.
The difference of opinion between
the two wings of the government is
looked upon here as possible inspira-
ton for the president to go to congress
and reiterate his position.
Kaiser's Message to Wilson.
No surprise in official circles greet
ed the publication Of the first INSTALL
ments of Ambassador Gerard's book
on Germany in the war. 1t was
known at the state department that
some kind Of confidential message
passed from the kaiser to President
Wilson shortly after the fateful first
of August, 1914. The president hither-
to has religiously refused to reveal
the contents of that note.
One reason for the reticeence of the
president is ascribed here today to
his lack of desire to publish a docu-
ment whose structures on England and
SIR Onward Grew nj 10
was at first constrained against such
step by considerations of neutrality
Iatterly he has been unwilling to
offend England as our ally. The mo-
tive which prompted the president to
permit the publication of the kaiser's
appeal is now ascribed to his desire to
set the country straight OF what the
president knew turnout the time dur
ing which his neutrality policy was so
severely criticised by the partisans of
both sides to the European struggle.
There is no evidence of a let up in
war preparations. The work of gath
ering and organizing the new army is
being pushed. The navy is rushing
fighting ships and the shipping board
is doing what it can to rush merchant
ships. Plans for artillery and NUM-
lions are proceeding upon a large
scale.
Block Peace Plans.
Every indication here IS to the eff
feet that any agitation for the receipt
of peace proposals in congress will
only be met by the administration
with new statement of its war aims.
Even some of these congressman
who are most anxious to see the dawn
of peace before they again face an
election, say that there can be no talk
of peace on any of the German terms
which have SO far reached this coun-
try.
a n
early peace. A few are advocating an
immediate consideration of the hints
that have so far come from the cen
trail empires.
Washington is disturbed over the
Russian situation but not worried. II
| is long way from the present east
ern front to the grain stores of Odessa
state department strategists pointed
| out today and as long as the fleeing
Russian army keeps a considerable
| portion of the kaiser's troops chasing
| them, they are doing their bit for the
| allied cause.