Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-16
PrusSianism Must Be Crushed.

Let II not be assumed that the pro-German
voices so volubIe in America before we entered the
war are all dead simply because they are silent
They will be heard again pleading the cause of
Prussianism as faithfully before, though by
different tack. They will be heard in whining ad-
vocacy of a truce when Germany, beaten almost to
surrender makes another insidious peace proposal;
or in appeals for Ieniency to the Hun when Amer
lea and her allies, completely victorious at last
come to dictate that will make the world safe
indeed for democracy and civilization.
1t is men like US and not fre-eaters in control
at this moment, who draw up terms of peace
satisfactory to everybody" These are the recent
words of a German scholar in the United States
whose conduct since this country entered the war is
described as exemplary" He means by "fre-eat-
ers' of course those who insist upon the necessity
of bringing Prussianism to strict accounting for
its crimes those who contend that our heroic sacri
hces would be in vain if the Potsdam intrigueIs
we're left free to devise another vast raid; those
who believe that the only path to enduring peace
is that which the sword of unwavering Justice bids
lake.
In commenting on the now exemplary" Ger
man scholars significant remark, Harold Lamb of
the vigiIanes interestingly points out that certain
newspapers known to the secret service are waiting
under guise of patriotism" Tor chance to serve
the German cause again Hints of the coming
efforts of these agents. he says ARE discernible.
A semi-sockIistic magazine prints an article at
lacking the dominant AngO-SaxOn" class in Amer
lea, and stating that the 'misdeeds of this class
will strengthen the voice of those foreigners here
sho are enemies within, only because have
made them So" Utterances like this and that of
The exemplary" German scholar faint portents
OF what may be expected when the Hun reaches the
day of his grim reckoning; for then he will need
his scribes and spokesman in this country worse
than ever before, and they will plead his
more subtly than ever.
They will not plead in his name of course;
they will put on a camouhage of fair play and
mercy" and reconciliation" They will renew
their old attempts beget prejudice and dstrust of
our allies, particularly English-speakng allies
to whom we are Joined by deep ties of a common
interest in the future well as by long ages of
common ancestry and tradition. They will do their
utmost these revocalized friends of the Hohenzol-
Iern, to make American influence both in the ap
proach to a peace conference and in the final
framing of terms count for German advantage
They will seek in the first instance, to bring about
a negotiated peace before Germany is beaten in
cOntestably That attempt falling they will seek to
engender a sentiment for letting Germany of with
out punishment for its monstrous crimes.
The United States entered this war with no
thought OF selfish gain, but for the supremely i'm
~poTtaLt purpose OF crushing PruS5anlSm, which
threatened, and still threatens, freedom along
with that of all mankind. Until that purpose is
achieved once for all. neither expedency honor
will permit US to lay down arms. Not in a
spirit of hard vHdictiyeness but for the sake of
sullied justice and enduring peace America and her
co-defenders OF civilization against the Hun must
see 10 it that his murde:ous power shall never
again rise as 9 to the world. That cannot
be accomplished through peace negotiated with
Cle uncOnqueTed HohenZolleTns. nor can Il be ac-
compshed through any peace terms that leave mill
taristic Germany means or hope OF revival. If We
to make this more than terrible and
fruitIess adventure, Prussis1ism must be forced
unconditional surrender and then must be stripped
OF the last vestge of its favor with the German peo
pie and OF its power To start another war. This
means that condign punishment must be meted out
20 the Potsdam criminals. Ii means that the Ger
man people must be made to realize that the
which their rulers launched and which they encour
aged instead OF being the dazzngly profitable en-
terprise they expected is unreasonable disaster
and shame to their nation.
Peace terms which fail TO drive that truth un-
sparingly home to Germany's heart will be essen
TALLY pro-Prussian and a mere interlude between
this and another Notwithstanding II is. there
fore. the duty of all who love freedom and justice
and who hope for lasting peace TO rebuke the
shallow paciffst and pro-German pleas which are
tn he made