The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-24
RAISING DUST CTOUD

It is almost a universal attribute
OF civilized man to favor the under
dog, especially IL that canine be the
victim of attack. Knowing this to be
true, the chancellories of the central
powers continue to pirate about the
defensive war which the Teutons have
been forced to carry on, notwith-
standing the fact that proof that they
nave been the aggressors from the
start has been piled mountain high
When one recalls how this war was
started, what preparation had been
made for 1t at Berlin for years, how
subservient was the old emperor of
Austria Hungary to the power CEN
tered there, how utterly unprepared
for resistance to It were the nations
against which It was directed, how re-
luctant Great Britain was to toin It
and at what cost it was compelled in
defense of its own rights, and what
deception and atrocity finally COM
PEELED the peace-Ioving republic of the
United States to join IN the defense
of national rightsAwhat is the use in
arguing against the brazen and coIos-
sal pretenses, which could only have
their origin at Berlin rather than at
Vienna or Buda Pesth?
The fact that more than a score of
civilized nations have united III oppo-
sition to the central powers is evidence
sufficient that the right and wrong of
the whole business is we'll understood.
In every phase of this war of sue
cessful Defense" says Baron Burian
in his recent speech, the central pow
ers have had no other aim in view
but to secure the enemy's will to
peace" After brief summary of the
alleged aims of "the enemy" that is,
the enemy of those powers, he de-
clares that their Opponents demand
our atonement because we dared. to
defend ourselves, and successfully,
against their attacks. Our ability to
defend ourselves is termed militarism
and Eiust therefore be destroyed" AS
a matter of fact, he says, Territorial
aims" are the only things now sepa-
rating "the different belligerent
groups" What these central powers
are ready to fight for and regarding
which they need not accept any ad-
|
ity and the justice. freedom, honor
and peace of the world" After en-
larging upon tho professions of the
entente allies and what they are really
striving for in spite of their professed
ril-ciples. as briefly stated by Presi-
dent Wilson, the baron says: "Our
enemies want to paralyze US by an Of
fensive of irritation and to render us
helpless. They want to crush our very
powerful organism in order to make
weak parts, one after the other, serv-
iceable to their own purposes" And
ment, he speaks of this ARMED de-
Tense which has been forced upon u.s.
and says that it should not be con-
ceived as conflicting with the neces-
, sity for untiring political activity for
the purpose of promoting the aims OF
our self-defense whe-a possible and
without detriment to the most ener.
getic conduct of the war"
What territorial aims" inimical to
Austria, c. n the United States, China
= I'd the South American republic.
s possibly have? When the time come
for a discussion of a peace treaty
D probably thc,4 VIII not be found IN ths
D world naticn wiling to plead III.
e cause of ere >.:tral POWERS. The eff
Y forts of TIE TeLtonic chancellors I.
= throw dist in the eyes of the worlt
1 have failed utterly.