New-York tribune., 1917-07-19
The Sinews of War
o.onle of Quiet Kansas Towns Await with Cour-
=. the Great Sacrifice of War-Service Will
u,ke the Nation Solid, They Say
By THEODORE M. KNAPPEN

By THEODORE M. KNAPPEN
oprKA KAN. July lS.-You match that street-GoC
oaisedlen Thousand times in this America of ours
al know it. Many of YOU have lived on such a street
green boulevard either side vitrifed brick
aav shaded by graceful elms dainty ocuss some o
a,ary beloved shade of America. The homes some
small some of architectural pretension all the way
o.o Anne to California bungalow and very plain American
oreenson stand well back from the line gener
nded BY well kept spacious lawns No fences, no hedge,
nbome Every house has ample front porch They
the same now as in peace time, except that somewhere
ound or background there hangs large flag On these
oons the women folk in their cool and aluring summer
,upy the verandas in chatting groups, but mostly they
L sew as they talk No around before o'clock in the
Il isn't good form in the cities and OF interior
-sia .....,...,,.:
Ian one Of these Topeka groupsyou might call by ten
a other names-and you will hear very little talk OF the
as great and tragic spectacle. Yet and then the
ra.d for moment and YOU get impression of feeling
f PROCESSION irresistible and memorable toward trying
come You think OF placid Niagara few miles above the
~ Now and then there is turn OF the light and innocent
x,,on that reveals deep and mighty love OF country
sn n realize that our country war; repeated quiet
,,c raron "I am not sure that we dobut ready
Live il think that when the bitter days shall all
L. ,t the Civil War generation has worthy successor
-. don't know ourselves how deeply really feel know
n declared war A boy was shouting extra got her
She looked at the faefu headline dropped into seat and
through her tears she gave glance Of gorifed exalta
She said nothing. l understood. America still her
,he America of her brother dead at Vicksburg, and
ling since departed soldier husband"
But what Of these Others these countless people OF recent
y- origin?
one Of them are as good Americans Some are IN
.rt Quite number of the Germans actually suen and
% hostile But all will eventually follow the leadership OF
"A stock The blessed universal service law will do more to
m solid nation than hundred years Of lip service In all
mss must saw that some of truly patriotic people
Xmas are OF recent German origin 1t truly tragic time for
~ Agood family OF German citizens
house across the street Most OF their relatives
r sde-nanv cousins and uncles with the German
ala Their sympahies were with Germany-perhaps they still
n m war was declared they very bitter and very de-
zye Since then they have been quiet have tried to be
aly but perhaps | showed my resentment in little re-
e. Last week we attended public meeting The speakers
q, was that now all were either for America against It,
'Snvas other choice.
Tewaked home from the meeting with our German rends
.wi spoke Of their isolation. apologized as best could
she made the confeson we have made the great decision
A. great sacrifice We Americans Our son Henry enstS
o-mrow He goes to fight his own kin
In due time we-Americans al-wll make great sac
In '
On one Of these adorable streets OF the heart OF America
md member Of the Kansas State Council OF Defence Mrs
e Saxon leader in the movement for home gardens and
nssvaton thought find her long on talk and snort on
r So with scant introduction asked her squarey ii she
4 ia garden
Come and see It." was her challenge at because have
@ and work in myself that you me in this indicating
1 AN gown, somewhat the worse for use.
Yrs Saxon talked much of her garden as we followed It's
and little Of the war There cant and not even any
cauissn
Weneeded it, was all could get her to say 1T VIII 90 us
The price is not too much 1t will get us back to hrst p
Ha We didn't know how lar we were away from them until
vas forced upon by leaders greater and wiser han we
maps shall crush Germany but we shall save America
Then Mrs Saxon insisted talking about gardening ana
1ng dwelling fondy her wo-secton arn IN Centrai Nd
Na its alfalfa its wheat its its hogs and cattle
Western patriotism is firmly based on things material Inc
prosperous but prosperous and grateful America has
good to her children They say little but they are gratelu