The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-21
LET AMERICANS
CONTINUED on Page Two)

the leaders probably knew all along
that Germany had no intention OF
making any such peace. she wanted
the Baltic provinces of Russia ana she
seized and purposes to keep them, anu
Russia, having stopped fighting in
favor of the kind of peace she ad-
nired, finds herself in a position
where for the present she has nothing
whatever to say about the klno OF
peace there shall be. We must pc
ware of anything in the remotest de-
gree approaching that
Wholesome Criticism Beneficial.
"About the effect of criticism on
the conduct of the war-of course
fhere have been mistakes and snort
comings-it would be Inracie II
there were not. Sincere and construc-
tive criticism of executive conduct Is
a very useful thing. But we an NUS
re careful that neither shortcomlnS
or criticism tends in the slightest oe-
eree To divert or decrease the hearth
ness with which we all support anu
reinforce the president ana ms ciVii
and military officers in carrying Oh
this war. .1,;.
oreat reDublic not to let your MINDS
h., carried from the great work we
have before us.
s Stanwood Menken. president OF
the National Security league, in MS
address asserted that AS yet the PEG.
nile of the United States have not
proven that democracy is the most ef-
fective form of government.
1--WE have failed" he said. ito de-
velop in the average citizen a sense
of personal responsibility for the con
duct of the government su1Ilclehtiy
strong to translate itself into contlnu-
Gus service for the common veal.
Confuse Politics and Govt Science.
Iyy-n
self-centered existence When great
questions arose we failed to meet them
with due regard for the science or
government or of related principles
of sound economics.
slavery we disposed of only after
great war; tariff we dealt with thru
fourteen bills, each producing panic
and disaster destructive of CONNER
ciai progress: banking. currency, con-
servations, railroad and antitrust bills
we allowed to become political issues
in our ignorance that they were mat
tiers for the student of the science of
government and not related to parti-
san politics. This course of the re-
sponsible, respectable, industrious and
financially well-to-do indicts them to
failure to perform their duties as cit
liens.
1.-THE result has geen government
by default I submit that the treat
ment of great problems by the masses
is proof positive that public education
has not equipped the citizen to serve
the county. America has to compete
with countries organized under mod
ern system methods, just as are our
greatest industrial plants and with
whose citizens patriotism is a religion.
It is ridiculous to think that We can
maintain our position without thoro.
general, mental preparedness: this
calls for a revolution in the practice
and teachings of citizenship and en-
phasizes the truth that knowledge by
the people is national security
Urges Universal Military Training.
Mr. Menken insisted that enemy
aliens should not be permitted to as
semblages of more than five without
a special permit, and pleaded for full
national obligatory military training
Former President Taft and the gov
ernors of eight state. are expected to
address the congress, whose 1900 del
egateS will formulate plans to educate
the American people concerning war
problems and the new responsibilities
of citizenship.