The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-09
THE WEEKS war REVIEW
WRIT TEN FOR THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
BY Iif7i ZUffWALT
PLAYING WITH FIRE

on the field of battle, the allies can
safely talk of compromise, but it will
be the compromise that magnanl-
nous victor extends to his helpless
victim.
To talk of peace before Germany is
decisively defeated lis to play with fire,
and he who plays with fire usually
gets burned. If you doubt that. ask
Russia.
The Crisis Approaches.
The crisis of the war is approach
ing. 1t is both a military and moral
crisis. Germany has widely adyer-
tised a great offensive on the western
front. Whether she means to make
her boasts good, or is only blufhng, re-
mains to be seen. If she delivers the
blow, it is possible, of course. that she
may win. but extremely improba BILE
Such a victory would be as much of
surprise to the German government
as to anybody.
~The allies may strike a decisive
blow this year, but that is equally
improbable. If the war lasts into
the summer of 1919 and America is
able to speed up tremendously her
shipping program and, at the same
time, largely increase her production
| OF food and munitions, the allies can
win decisive victory next year. But
that is the earliest that a military
victory can be hoped for.
In spite, however, of the improb-
| in the immediate future by either
side, a military crisis is approaching.
| There is every indication that the ex-
penditure of energy, munitions and
| men by both sides will be greater
this year than in any previous year
| expenditure that a military break
down might occur at almost any time.
| 1t is evident from the economic stu
| alton that such breakdown is more
| likely to occur in Germany than
among the allies, tho it might hap
| pen to either.
The Moral Crisis.
With the military crisis comes an
| even greater moral crisis. AS the war
| continues it is ever more and more
| becoming a contest of determination
and the will to win.
The longer the conflict goes on
without a military decision. the
stronger will become the spirit of war
! WEAKNESS in all countries. In many a
breast hope long deferred will be-
come despair To many the sacrifice
of human life will more and more
seem too high a price to pay for VIC
! tory. The pressure for compromise
will grow stronger and stronger as
| time goes on.
In this moral crisis Germany's
weakness lies in the injustice of her
cause. To offset this weakness she
!
| suppress discussion, break up public
meetings and throttle the press. She
can coerce strikers and whip the
public into line at the point of the
bayonette or the muzzle of the ma
| chine gun. Wholesale mutiny in the
army is the only thing that can break
| the will of autocracy in Germany, and
wholesale mutiny cannot occur with
| out the almost unanimous support of
| the men in every branch of the army
/ md oh -
| fears to make the first move lest he
or they be shot down for treason by
others who remain loyal to their COM
manders.
| The allies are strong in the justice
| of their cause, but they are lacking
Freedom of speech and of the press
can be limited. but not suppressed.
The government is entirely dependent
on the willing support of the unarmed
| masses
The moral crisis is not merely ap-
preaching. Its beginning is here. AL
| ready German intrigue is working in
America and in England, France and
Italy to undermine allied morale as it
undermined Russian morale-thru
| the medium of peace talk.
A Contest of Wills.
The side that holds out the longest
will win this war. The side that
1 weakens and is the first to seek a
compromise will lose. 1t is a struggle
of wills. If Germany wins it will be
| because she has more steadfastness,
grit and determination than her enc
mics, and in that case she would de-
| serve to win.
Victory First.
| Let me repeat. There will be but
one time when it will be safe to talk
of concessions to the Teutons, and
| that will be when the allies stand
| with one foot on Germany's neck and
| with uplifted sword ready to deliver