The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-17
Republican Leader Backs Presf-
dents Reply to Austria.
Wilson's Action VIII Meet With
Universal Approval.
ALLIES WILL DICTATE TERMS
"Germany Appealed to the Ar
bitrament of Arms.'
'sShe Shall Not Now Resort to
Talk and Bargain"

Washington. Sept. 17.-Unqualified
endorsement of President Wilson's re-
lection of Austria's proposal for secret
and non-binding peace discussions.
was given in the senate today by SEN
ator Lodge, of Massachusetts,, Repub-
lican floor leader and ranking minor
ity member of the foreign relations
committee. Senator Lodge said the
presidents prompt and curt refusal
was right and wise. and that he was
sure it would receive universal ap-
proval.
VIII Fight to Finish.
Americas position is becoming so
plain the senator declared that even
the central powers soon will begin to
understand it. Germany. having
brought unnumbered woes upon an in
nocent world and appealed to the lust
of conquest" he said in conclusion,
''she shall not now resort to talk
and bargain for a decision. We mean
to put her in physical bonds"
He said he believed the presidents
action would put an end to loose and
feeble talk helpful to Germany about
Austro-Hungarian peace offers.
Will Meet Universal Approval.
THE presidents reply to this stpid
note will meet, I am sure, with uni
versal approval" said Lodge. His
prompt and curt refusal of the Austro-
Hungarian offer was not only right,
but wise, for it will, 1 believe, put an
end to loose and feeble talk about
these Austro- Hungarian offers-a
kind of talk which is not only de-
bilitating and confusing, but distinctly
helpful to Germany.
THE president, without entering
upon any details or definitions, says
the position and purpose of the United
pose and position of the American
people are plain and growing palmer,
clearer and stronger every day. They
are becoming SO plain that I think
even the central powers will soon be-
gin to understand them. believe that
they will learn, and the sooner the
better. that the American people mean
to have complete victory. They must
be madeste KNOW that we have no ins
tention of arguing with them about
terms of peace around table.
Allies Will Dictate Terms.
when Prussian militarism is
! crushed and the Germans throw up
| their hands, then the United States
| and her allies will tell them the terms
of peace which they are to accept.
Until complete victory is reached on
German soil any negotiations or dis
! cuSsion with our enemies would mean
| that the war was lost, our sacrifices
| in vain and our high purposes de-
feated. There is much hard fighting
| vet to be done, many sacrifices still to
| be made, but the light of victory is
! shining upon our armies and upon
| those of our allies.
Germany Chose Arbitration of Arms.
I'VE shall press on until the only
end worthy of attainment is fully
reached Germany has brought un-
I numbered woes upon an innocent
world. She must be put in a position
where she cannot strike again. She
| has appealed to the lust of conquest
the dread arbitrament of arms. BY
that she must abide. She shall not
now resort to talk and bargain for,de-
| cision.
I'VE mean to put her in physical
/ ponds. We mean to make the world
safe for all free, law-abiding, decent
people SO that they may live their
! lives in peace, unthreatened and un-
alarmed. For this we fight. We shall
not ask more. We shall never accept
! less.''