The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-09

1t is an axiom among seasoned
politicians that when a candidate for
office begins to talk compromise, he
is defeated. If he was not already
defeated before he began to talk COM
promise. that action on his part marks
the beginning of his downfall. His
opponents Immediately jump to the
conclusion that-he has given up hope
of winning and take heart according
ly His supporters draw the same in
ference and begin to hunt for cover
World politics is not essentially diff
ferent from state or national politics,
except that the stakes are larger and
the game ordinarily more cold blood
ed. The war is world politics in its
most violent form. Democracy and
Autocracy are rival candidates for the
leadership of humanity
The struggle so far has been bloody
and relentless and without decisive
advantage to either side. For nearly
four years this conflict has ragged
with ever increasing fury. 1t now
seems probable that the fourth year
will end with the contest still dead
lock. How much longer than that the
deadlock will continue no man can
tell.
A Test of Faith.
With the opening of each successive
spring campaign both sides have
hoped for victory before fall Each
summer has seen hope fade into dis
a
the opposing armies still locked IN
the same death struggle.
1t is no wonder that as the fourth
year draws toward its close, the
weaker spirits on both sides should
begin to WAIVER and dream of COM
romise as the only hope of escape
from a never ending hell of ruin
and slaughter.
|, 1t should be remembered, however,
that no compromise proposltion mas
ever emanated from the imperial gov
err1nent of Germany.
There has been talk of compromise
by members of the reichstag, by lead
ers in Austria and by others without
power or responsibility in the govern
ment of Germany, but never by the
imperial chancellor or the foreign
office.
Germany Would Break Our Morale.
All of Germany'z peace proposals
have been mere ultimatumS demand
ing the surrender of the allies to Ger
man conquest as the only means of
escape from destruction at the hands
of the Teutonic armies.
Germany does not seriously hope
to win decisive military victory, but
she does hope to continue the deadly
combat until the allied peoples weary
of war and force their governments to
propose a compromise With all the
power of astute- diplomacy and foul
intrigue the German government is
seeking to bring out in the allied ma
lions a demand for a peace by. negotia-
ton, that is a compromise.
German intrigue and diplomacy won
in Russia. sentiment for peace by
negotiation was created. At once the
army disintegrated and soon the whole
| fabric of government in Russia went
to pieces Talk of peace weakened
and then destroyed Russian morale.
No nation can keep talking peace and,
NJ m time mt m a good fight
All peace talk in this country merely
/ lends aid and comfort to the German
intriguers. Having given up hope of
a decisive military victory, the inn
down the morale of the other democ-
racies as she has that of Russia.
We Dare Not Back Down.
The president has stated clearly, in
fourteen concise propositions, Amer
ica'S peace terms. Any backing down
from those terms will be taken, both
here and in Germany, as a bid for a
compromise, and will strengthen Ger
man morale and dangerously weaken
our own. Any peace resulting from
negotiation between the allies and an
undefeated Germany will be Ger
| man peace-a peace that will leave
! Germany in a position to renew the
war later with far greater advantages
on her side than she now possesses.
| 1t is all right to state clearly our
war aims. But to look on them as
| proposals subject to negotiation and
adjustment is to play into the hands
of Germany and invite the fate of
| Russia.
The Only Time to Talk Compromise
There can be only one time when
it will be safe for America or her al
| lies to talk of concessions to Germany
and that will be when they stand with
one foot on the neck of German auto
cracy and the sword raised to strike
| the fatal blow.
| When Germany is decisively beaten