Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-17
The Lesson of 1t All.

The liberal press in Germany. supposed to speak
for such elements of popular thought are not in
sympathy with Prussanism, is cheerfully admitting
that the famous Reichstag resolution of July
nineteenth is a scrap of paper. That resolution,
which had the tacit if explicit concurrence of
the Kaiser. was a solemn pledge against forceful
annexatiOns 1t proclaimed last summer at
time when Russia's internal problems were wax
ing critical when Socialist malcontents grow
ing unusually pestiferous in Italy, and few weeks
in advance of the vaticans peace proposals. AS
propaganda. it throve Justify, writer in the New
York Times recalls, among pacifists and billiards
in the United States, England and France as we'll
as among those of Russia and Italy: Everywhere
it was pointed to as proof that needed only to
stop this wicked fighting and get comfortably
around table with Germany. and all misunder-
standings would be smoothed away" Had not the
Reichssg. the popular branch of the German legis-
Iature speaking out the mind and conscience of the
long voiceless German people declared for peace
without annexations? And was not this an evidence
that at last the mad militarist policy giving
way to sober responsible craftsmanship? So
of German trickery.
those credulous ones were lean, albeit
ICquacious, minority in the United States, and in
England and France But in Russia their name
was legion. The Bolsheviki. having previously
enunciated the doctrine of annexations and no
indemnities, felt that they had scored decisive
moral victory when the Reichstag professed the
same faith See" they said, 1.-The German people
are as eager for a just peace we are; if we
meet them half way and give them chance, they
will compel their rulers to deal honOrably." Thus
hoodwinked. the Russian radicals imagined that
they were subtly injecting their political philosophy
into the German proIetariat. They calculated with
great shrewdness they thought, that by drop
ping their guns they could most enectually dis
arm the enemy; for, they said, the German mill
tarists would not dare TO outrage German popular
sentiment BY overrunning a wholly peaceful and
undefended people. This delusion continued to
deepen. BY mid-December the BoIsheviki dele
gates still trusting in the Rechstag resolution and
in additional assurances, signed German truce
Shortly thereafter, while the Russian army was
fast disfntegrating, began the memorable Brest-
Litovsk conference at the outset of which Ger
many again solemnly declared for peace without
annexations and indemnities The ensuing stages
of the tragical farce too fresh in the worlds
mind to need recalling. But cannot look too
often upon the warning spectacle of Russia de-
ceived betrayed. brutaly assailed in her defense
Iessness. robbed piIlaged and prosecuted by "kuI-
tured' Germany
The most striking aspect of this crime how
ever is not that the German rulers perpetrated it.
but that the German people, represented by their
liberal press, condone it and rejoice in it.
The lesson to America and her allies is unmistak-
able. They must fight unswervingly until Ger
man militarism is completely crushed. That is
the one great practical issue in the war. Not until
that is settled by the overwhelming defeat of the
Kaiser's armies will there be any secure basis on
which to discuss reservations, indemnities guar
zntees and the principles of that just and abiding
peace for which fighting ultimate
goal Not until Prussianism is laid in the dust will
any resolution of the Reichstag profession of
the German people or any solemn pledge or treaty
OF the German Government be more than scrap
of paper. OVr duty, therefore, is to support
and speed forward the armies in the field. When
they have won the adhesive victory which soon
or late they will win talk peace; but not
before