The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-12

in the most specific manner. against the
assimilation established in the American
note between the two groups of bell1ger-
ents; this assimilation, based upon public
declarations by the central powers, Is In
direct opposition to the evidence, both as
regards responsibility for the past and as
concerns guarantees for the future. Pres
ident Wilson, in mentioning 1t, certainly
with it.
IF there is a historical fact established
at the present date it is the wiliul ag
gresSion of Germany and Austria III
gary to insure their hegemony over Eu-
rope and their economic domination over
i lar Of war, 1 BY the helm Immediate viola
ton of Belgium and Luxembourg and by
her manner of conducting the war, her
Stimulating contempt for all principles OF
humanity and all respect for small states !:
! as the conflict developed, the attitude OF
the central powers and their allies has
been continual defiance of humanity and
civilization.
Recall Horrors of Belgium.
ct is necessary to recall the horrors
which accom- panied the invasion of Belgium
and Serbia, the atrocious regime imposed
upon the invaded countries, the massacre
of hundreds Of thousands of inoffensivs
against the populations of Syria, the raids
of Zeppelins on open towns, the destruc-
and of the merchantmen. even under neu,
trail flags, the cruel treatment inflicted
q Msa sv Of saG Of 5he
slavery of civil populations, etc. The ex-
ecution of such a series of crimes, per,
petrated without any regard for universal
appreciation, fully explains to President
.Tbey Consider that the the note ie1 which they
sent to the United States in reply to the
German note will be response to the
| ment and according to the exact words d
| the latter constitute "a PUBLIC declaration
as to the conditions on which the war
could be terminated =
Objects of the War.
President Wilson desires more: He de-
sires that the belligerent powers openly.
tinuing the war; the allies experience no
difficulty in replying to this request Ihelr
OBJECTS sd IN the war are well
by the chiefs of their divers governments
Their objects in the war will not be made
known in detail with all the equitable com
| pensations and indemnities for damages
suffered until the hour of negotiations
But the civilized world knows that they
! imply In all necessity and in the first in
stance the restoration of Belgium, OF Ser
bia and of Montenegro and the indem-
mites which are due them; the evacuation
+, of the invaded territories of France, Rus
| STA and of Rumania, with just reparation !:
| the reorganization of Europe guaranteed
| by stable regime and founded as much
| upon respect of nationalities and full Sc
curity and liberty of economic develop
ment, which all nations, great small,
possess, as upon territorial conventions
and international agreements suitable to
guarantee territorial and maritime from
| titution of provinces territories wrest-
| ed in the past from the allies by force or
against the will of their populations, the
liberation of Italians, of Slavs, of Ruman-
| ians and of Tcheco Slovaques from foreign
/ domination; the Acknowledgement of popu-
| lations subject to the bloody tyranny of
| the Turks; the expulsion from Europe of
| the Ottoman empire which has proved it
| self SO radically alien to western eiviliza-
| ton.
Must Be Freed From Militarism.
| 1.-THE intentions of His Majesty, the En-
| peror of Russia. regarding Poland, have
been clearly indicated in the proclamation
which he has just addressed to his armies.
1t goes without saying that if the allies
| wish to Hberate Europe from the brutal
i covetousness of Prussian militarism. it
never has been their design, as has been
| alleged, to encompass the determination of
| the German peoples and their political dis
| appearance. That, which they desire above
| all is to insure peace upon the principles
of liberty and Justice. upon the inviolable
fidelity to international obligation with
which the government of the United States
| has never ceased to be inspired
/ I -;United in the pursuits of this supreme
object the allies are determined. indf-
yidually and collectively, to act with all
their power and to consent to all sacrifices
to bring to vigorous close a conflict
upon which they convinced not only
their own safety and prosperity depends,
but also the future of civilization ITSELF