The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-11

however slight, TO remain uncorrected
for a moment
THE war has begun to go against
Germany, and In their desperate de-
sire to escape the inevitable ultimate
defeat those who are in authority n
Germany are using every possible ia
strumentality. are making use OF the
influence of groups and parties among
their own subjects to whom they have
never been just CT fair or even toler-
ant. to promote propaganda on both
sides of the sea which will preserve for
them their influence at home and their
mower abroad to the undoing OF the
very men they are using
United States Position Clear.
1.-THE positiC of America in this war
is so clearly avowed that no man can
he excused for mistaking 1t. she seeks
no material Profit or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
of auy kind. She is fighting for no ad-
vanape or selfish object of her OWN
hut for the liberation of peoples
everywhere from the aggressions or
autocratic force.
1.-THE ruling classes in Germany have
h, y1ln of late to profess a like liberal
ity and justice of purpose but only TO
preserve the power they have set up
in Germany and the selfish advantages
which they have wrongly gained LOT
themselves ard their private projects
Bagdad and beyond. Government after
government has, by their influence
without open conquest of its territory,
been linked together in net or IN
trigue directed against nothing less
than the peace and liberty of the
world.
.sThe meshes of that intrigue must
he broken but cannot be broken I'M
less wrongs already done are undone;
and adequate measures ust be taken
to prevent il from ever again Delhg
re-woven or repaired.
'Of course, the imperial government
and those whom it is using for their
own undoing, are seeking to OBTAIN
hedges that the war Will end In the
restoration of the status quo ante. 1t
was the status quo ante out OF Whlcn
this iniouitous war issued forth the
newer of the imperial German govern
ment within the empire and its wide
spread domination and influence out
side of that empire. That status must
be altered in such fashion as TO pre-
vent any such hldeous lhlnS ever from
happening again
Wrongs Must Be Righted.
I'VE are fighting for the liberty, the
self government and the indicated
deveIopment of all peoples, and every
cIudes this war must be Onceived AND
executed for that purpose. Wrongs
must first be righted and then ade-
uuate safeguards must be created to
prevent their being committed again.
I'VE ought not to consider remedies
merely because they have a pleasing
and sonorous sound. Practical ques-
tions can be settled only by practical
means Phrases will not achieve the
, result. Effective readjustments will,
and whatever readjustments are nee
essary must be made.
Foil ariT iYN1e
and that principle is plain. No peo-
pie must be forced under sovereignty
under which it does not wish to live.
No territory must change hands ex-
cept for the purpose of securing those
who inhabit it a fair chance of life
and liberty. No indemnities must be
insisted on except those that consti-
tute payment for manifest wrongs
done. No readjustments of power
must be made except such as will tend
to secure the future peace of the
world and the future welfare and hap
piness of, its peoples.
Covenant of Nations.
"And then the free peoples of the
world must draw together in some
common covenant some genuine and
practical cooperation that will in ef-
feet combine their force to secure
peace and justice in the dealings of
nations with one another. The BROTH
erhood of mankind must no longer be
fair but empty phrase; it must be
given structure of force and reality.
The nations must realize their
| common life and effect a workable
partnership to secure that life
against the aggressions of autocratic
and self-pleasing power
| For these things we can afford to
pour out blood and treasure; for these
are the things we have always pro-
! fessed to desire, and unless we pour
out blood and treasure now and sue
coed, we may never be able to unite
or show conquering force again in the
great cause of human liberty
THE day has come to ,conouer oI
submit. If the forces of autocrac,
can divide us, they will overcome us
If we stand together victory is Ger.
tain and the liberty which victory will
secure. We can afford then to be gen