The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-02-04
No Man S Land

No Mans Land
All of us know where No Mans Land is
real geographical unit stretching from Switzer
land to the sea. yet country marked on no map
an enormous expanse of hills, valleys, plains ant
swanlps, yet an area of desolation and destruc
ton; seldom penetrated except by the armed
emissaries of death, yet crowded with the
ghosts of those who tried to move its entrenchet
boundaries east or west.
The name of that blood soaked and shell tori
expanse will go down in history as the bumper
state that held in check the savage onrush OF Z
race, maddened by lust for power and insane witt
the obsession that it was Gods people chosen t
rule the world by force of arms.
On the western boundary of No Mans Lane
are concentrated the forces of justice, righteous
ness and civilization, dedicated to the proposition
that this world is place where hundreds Of races
rejoicing in a spirit of international gooo
will and amity, vieing as friendly neghbors for
excellence in the arts, sciences, industry and COM
merce may enjoy life, liberty and the pur'
suit Of happiness without the protection OF
colossal armies and navies, and the haunting fear
that some ruler and his clique may plunge them
into war whenever it suits their pleasure.
On the OInef SlQe Vi tlldI sang ilo oAe
mobilized men who believe they have been elected
and predestined by God to be Supermen and en-
trusted with the martial mission of graduating all
nations that are not strong enough to Withstand
their arms; that unto them has been given the
right to violate treaties, torture murder plllage
and descrate without moral conjunction; that
there cannot be, in the very design and purpose or
nature, an international family Of races living IN
concord and friendly competition, on terms OF
democratic equality in which the rights or the
weaker nation are as invioate as those OF the
stronger but that there must be, according to the
Creators own plan, one powerful race, amenabe
for its actions to no one but ITSELF which will rule
the whole world and make all nations subservient
to the dictates of it's own Kultur.
No Mans Land separates the hosts that are
pledged to these widely dverging principles.
There will be the fateful field on which the des-
tinv of civilization will be decided The side that
annexes No Mans Land from Switzerland to the
sea by force of mighty engines OF war Will shape
the future history of the world When the shock
of that mighty struggle has died down. humanity
will either curse or bless the day.
Few have returned from the military incurs-
ions that so far have been made into No Mans
Land. The terrain is pitted by shellholes and
dotted with the bodies of explorers who tried to
change it's boundaries. But that has not de-
tered further exploration nor discouraged the
ardor of the combatants Neither has it dissuad-
ed the leaders from preparing for the final con-
test for its annexation.
The advance guards Of own host have
glimpsed the grim expanse. Soon will they be
partners in the gigantic struggle that will be
fought for No Mans Land. Soon will Americas
blood flow with that of the Allies in sacrifice
that will incite future generations to pronounce
q benedcton on the battle that fought and
won to make the world safe for democracy.
No Mans Land may be sinister and forsbod-
ing now. But civilization has rallied host on
it's western boundary that knows that the future
happiness of mankind depends upon the success
full outcome of the struggle. When they under
take the final dash across No Mans Land they
will be conscious of the issue at stake and OF their
own duty On their high resolve and heroic ar
dor civilization stakes it's ALL
Victory will crown their efforts. Germany's
superman philosophy and false conception of its
divine duty cannot withstand the assaults of
united world.
Elusive Peace Talk
Peace between the Central Powers and the
Allies is far off. 1t may come soon with Ger
many the victor if we permit blandishing press
,oents in Berlin and Vienna to take our ewes off