The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-08

cast every selfish dominion down in
the dust"
Reviews New Citizen Soldiers.
A few hours before the president
spoke he had reviewed a division of
citizen soldiers. called onl5 few
months ago from the pursuits OF
peace; now transformed into lighting
men to carry the ideals of America to
the battle fields of Europe. At the
moment 100000 more of their kind
all over the land were celebrating
the opening of the third liberty loan;
and the orders for mobilizing the first
of the great army of a second million
were going out to the country.
Challenge Is Accepted.
Those were some of the physical
facts which backed his words. when.
after reviewing briefly the evidence
that Germany seeks a peace for her
world dominion, the president de-
clared:
L accept the challenge. I know
that you accept it. All the world shall
know you accept it. 1t shall appear
fulness with which we shall give all
that we love and all that We have, to
redeem the world and make it fit for
free men like ourselves to live in. This
now is the meaning of all that we
do. Let everything that We say, my
we henceforth plan and accomplish,
ring true to this response till the ma
iesty and might of our concerted
power shall fill the thought and ut
terly defeat the force of those who
fiout and misprize what we honor and
hold dear.
Germany has once more said that
force and force alone shall decide
whether justice and peace shall reign
in the affairs of men; whether right
as America conceives it, or dominion
as she conceives it, shall determine
the destinies of mankind.
Force and Force Alone.
There is. therefore, but one re-
spouse possible from us; force, force
to the utmost, force without stint or
limit, the righteous force which shall
make right the law of the world and
cast every selfish dominion in the
dust"
Warning anew that a triumph of
arms for Germany means ruin for all
the ideals America has won and lives
| for. the president reiterated he was
willing to discuss at any time fair,
just end honest peace sincerely pro-
posed-'a peace in which the strong
anG weak shall fare alike"
\ Cheap Triumph in Russia.
But the answer" he said, when
l pro posed such a peace came from
the German commanders in Russia
and l cannot mistake the meaning of
the answer.
They are enjoying in Russia" the
president declared, "a cheap triumph,
in which no brave or gallant nation
can long take pride. A great neople,
helpless " their own act, lies for the
time at their mercy. Their fair pro-
fessio rs are forgotten. They nowhere
set up justice, but everywhere impose
their power and exploit everything
for the own use and aggrandize-
ment; and the peoples of conquered
provinces are invited to be free under
J their dominion.
/ Are we not justified in believing
that they would do the same thing
at their western front if they were
not there face to face with armies
which their countless divisions cannot
overc 7me %
iEz $4,000 Cheer President.
President Wilson's declaration that
he accepted Germanys challenge that
the issue between the central powers
and her enemies be settled by force,
brought $4,000 persons cheering to
their feet.
.: The president was given a great
! demonstration on his arrival at the
hall. Thousands were at the doors
unable to gain entrance. Long lines
formed in front of the arniory as
cary IS o'clock.
Former Gov. Phillip L. Goldsbor-
ough, introducing the president, de-
clared that out of the war would come
a new world dedicated to liberty. Mr..
Goldsborough, q Republican, said that
all parties in the country must rally
! behind the executive.
This is no time said Mr.. Colds
/ borough, ito criticise the government.
This is the time Cor everybody to get
behind our flag"
| Audience Was Pleased.
| The presidents declaration that
nothing is proposed for Germany but
| Justice was warmly applauded as was
his statement that Germany's course
| in Russia is a cheap triumph.
] The presidents audience was plain
! ly with him in his denunciation of
Germanys military masters. 1t ap-
plauded his declaration that he is
| ready at any time to discuss a just
peace sincerely proposed.
At the conclusion of the president s
address subscriptions were opened for
liberty bonds. The Savings Bank of
Baltimore Immediately took 100000
worth. Other large amounts were
subscribed.
The Rest of the Address.
The remainder of the president s
speech was as follows.
Fellow Citizens: This is the an
niVersary of our acceptance of Ger
manys challenge to fight for our right
to live and be free and for the sacred
rights of free men everywhere. The
! nation is awake. There is no nee1 to
call to it. We know what the war
must cost, our utmost sacrifice, the
lives of our fittest men, and if need
be all that We possess. The loan we
are met to discuss is one of the least
parts of what we ere called upon to
give and to do, tho in itself impera-
tive. The people of the whole coun-
try are alive to the necessity of it
and are ready to lend to the utmost
ev,n where 1t involves a sharp skiInI-
ing and daily sacrifice to lend out Of
meager earnings. They will look with
reprobatlon and contempt upon those
! -hIn Il