The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-15

|
sity to learn defensive tactics like the
Mons heroes, who are now a mere
handful in the great war machine.
Underestimate Offensive Power.
Considerably there has been the
general development of tendency to
underestimate the enemyS capacity
tJr an offensive.
The fact remains that the crisis is
ct hand and that the public is being
awakened to realization of it. Prac-
tically every London newspaper to-
| day classed Premier Lloyd Georges
| speech as well-timed stimulant.
"Iiloyd George reached a true au-
thentic note of British craftsmanship,
said the Post. I'VE are confident OF
mis- appeal to the spirit of the ma
| ton"
1.-THE speech-for which we are all
| most grateful-is an appeal to reason.
to honor, to self-denial," declared the
Telegraph.
| 'sThe speech was more than bril-
| liant" summarized the Chronicle. 1T
had a dispassionate firmness appro-
pirate with the present crisis. He has
demonstrated the inpossibility of
satisfactory peace now"
THE speech had courage and
| faith" said the Mail. 1T flung
challenge in the face of all doubters
and waverers. He showed direct in
sight into the supreme issues of the
war"
Failed to state war Aims.
1.-The chief merit of the address"
the Times asserted, lies in the clear
ness and directness with which the
premier keeps the things that really
matter before the people"
The News was the only, London
newspaper which did npt entirely ap-
| prove of the speech.
victory would be considered as won,''
the editorial declared. Among all
! his emphatic utterances, there was
not word enlightening US on the
point that really matters. The world
today will regret his failure to state
the policy of the allies with the grav-
| ity and the definiteness which the &C.
casion demanded
No Time to FaIter.
Despite reflections as to the ex-
IRENE gravity of the war situation
Premier Lloyd George maintains an
ever firm faith in ultimate victory for
Il the allies. In his Grey's Inn speech
last night, he said:
If there was no prospect of things
going better the longer we fought, it
would be infamous to prolong the war,
but because I am firmly convinced,
despite some untoward events and dis
courag1ng appearances, that we are
making steady progress toward the de-
sired goal, would regard peace over
lures to Prussia, at the very moment
when the Prussian military spirit is
drunk with boastfulness, as betrayal
of the great trust with which my col
leagues and 1 have been charged
THE German victories have been
emblazoned to the world, but her trou-
bles did not appear in the bulletins.
However, we know something of them.
The deadly grip of the British navy
/ is having its effect and the valor of
the troops is making an impression
which will tell in the end. Persons,
who in the last fortnight have been
organizing nervous breakdown in
the nation are the same ones who re-
Gently were organizing a .l1ystericaI
shouting over the Flanders victories.
We are laying the foundation of the
bridge that will carry us into a new
world. Let us maintain steadiness
and sanity and outlook.
Russia Walking to Bondage.
This is not the most propitious
hour. Russia's threatened retirement
! from the war strengthens the Hohen-
| | Zollern and weakens the forces of de-
mocracy, but Russia's action will NOT
lead, as she imagines. to universal
peace. 1t will simply prolong the
worlds agony and inevitably put her
, in bondage to Prussian military domi-
! | nance.
1T would be folly to underestimate
the danger from the release of the
enemy's eastern forces. 1t would equal
~ be folly to exaggerate it; but the
! greatest folly of all would be not
to race IT.
IF the Russian democracy has de-
| cided to abandon the struggle against
E military autocracy. the American de-
: nocracy is taking it up This is the
most momentous fact of the year
4 which has transposed the whole situa-
1 ton. There is no more powerful
e country in the world than the United
Y States. with their gigantic resources
e and indomitable people and If Rus
: 50 Is nrtt America is coming in with
i both arms.
e Before America .sGets In
! IF this is the worst moment, it is
| because Russia has stepped out ano