The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-23
TIME TO AWAKE.

A very small proportion of our peo-
pie seem fully to realize what being
at war means to the United States.
America is not yet thoroly awake as to
the Importance or the consequences to
ourselves of the struggle into which
we have lately entered. Very few
seem to realize that the preservation
of civilization and freedom the world
over is at stake. AS nation we feel
quite comfortable in our trusted i'm
munity from attack
Probably if a portion of the German
fleet, says Henry Clews's Financial
Review, were to break thru the wall
of steel in the North sea and succeed
in crossing the Atlantic. Smelling some
of our eastern cities, we should then
stand up and take vigorous notice
But thus far we have become accus-
toned to the unseen protection of the
British fleet, and our sons are not yet
giving up their lives in the trenches or
coming home manned and disfigured
for life. AS a people we certainly
devoutly wish to avoid these painful
realities, and up to date our shocks
from the war have been limited to the
loss of few lives and ships from sub
marine warfare.
Yet genuine realization of the perils
now facing us seems confined to the
government, to those engaged in our
defense and to relatively few of our
leading business men. In all probable
ity something will happen ere long to
dissipate this apathy and bring us to
keener sense of the huge task be-
fore us. France has given us a mag
nificent example of patriotic sacrifice
For nearly three years Great Britain
! with population of about $4,000, 900
1 has been carrying the brunt of this
! battle for freedom. Her fleet has not
only insured US from invasion, but has
| kept the seas open and free for our
foreign trade, the loss of which would
| have been an incalculable injury to
our economic welfare. She has fur
ther raised an army of about $780,
600 men, helped finance her Allies to
the extent of about s4.5OO,OOO,OOO and
aided in feeding the starving millions
in Belgium. Armenia and Serbia She
is certainly doing more than her share,
and as we have been the principal
beneficiaries, it is but just that We
should give active support in return.
| France is weary. Russia unsettled
and Italy checked. while we are fresh
and strong. The call across the sea
has come, and we must reply by
| spending our energy and resources to
the limit. Our young men are ready
and only too anxious to defend their
country's honor in doing their share
for liberty and democracy against a
blind autocracy. Our industrial lead
ers are cooperating with the govern
ment in every possible way and with
out regard to personal sacrifice La
Dor leaders are rivaling capital in the
same directions and burying differ
ences in a patriotic desire to serve
country and cause
only moderate percentage of our
population will go to the front or
reach the trenches where the issue
can only be settled; nevertheless. those
at he can do their bit" and helm
their country in ways far too numerous
to mention. Whoever puts patriotism
before profit, whoever stops waste and
extravaganza; whoever resolves in his
daily duties that thru all of them he
will do his best for the sake of his
country will be indirectly affording an
aid that will be far more efficient than
CHEAP talk or efferyescent enthusiasm,