The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-10
NO COMPROMISE
POSSIBLE WITH
PRUSSIAN POWER
Secretary Takes Strong Stand
in Address at Union College.
-T--------
The German Government Is
Absolutely Faithless.
CITES INSTANCES OF PERFIDY
Huns Never Let Treaties Stand
In Their Way.
America Must Fight ON Until
Decisive Victory Is Won.
CITES INSTANCES OF PERFIDY

Schenectady. N. Y. June 10
"Prussianfsm and the idea of endur-
ing peace among nations can never be
brought into harmony; compromise
cannot even be considered" Robert
Lansing, secretary OF state. declared
here today in an address as honorary
chancellor OF union college for 1918.
Instance after instance from his own
experiences at the head of American
foreign Office were cited to prove MS
point because, he asserted, amer,
cans even those Intellectually equipped
have none but vague ideas of the attt-
tude which made Prussiapism pos
sible."> ,
1T is a fact not generally known"
said Secretary Lansing. that within
six weeks after the imperial govern
mcnt had, in the case of the Sussex.
given this government solemn prom
Use that it would cease ruthless slaugh-
ter upon the high seas, Count Bern
storff, appreciating the WORTH essness
of the promise, asked the Berlin for
eign office to advise him in ample
time before the campaign of sub
marine murder was renewed in order
that he might notify the German mer-
chant ships in American ports to de-
stroy their machinery because he an
ticipated that the renewal of that
method of warfare would, in all
proba bility. bring the United States
INTO the WAT 11OW we'll tie dtuDe1SSo-
dor knew the character of his gov
eminent and how perfectly frank he
was, He asked for the information
without apology or indirection.
THE very bluntness of his message
shows he was sure his superiors would
not take offense at the assum ption
that their word was valueless and had
only been given to gain time and that,
when an increase of Germany's sub
marine fleet warranted. the promise
would be broken without hesitation or
compunction. What a commentary on
Bernstorff's estimate of the sense Of
honor and good faith of his govern
menti
I'm view of this spirit of hypocrisy
and bad faith, manifesting an entire
lack of conscience we ought not to be
astonished that the Berlin foreign Of
flee never permitted a promise or q
treaty engagement to stand in the way
of a course of action which the Ger
man government deemed expedient. /
need not cite as proof of this fact the
fragrant violations of the treaty neu-
Trailing Belgium and the recent treaty
characteristic of German foreign pol
icy was accepted by German diplomats
as a matter of course and as a natural
IL not praiseworthy method of deal
ing with other governments
The csuses of the war. Mr.. Lansing
for world dominion.
THAT was and is the central
thought of Prussia nism." he said. "It
excited the cupidity of the governing
and wealthy classes of the empire; il
dazzled with its anticipated gieries and
by its promise of a boosted racial SUI
periority the German millions who
were to be the instrument of achieve
ment. With devotion and zeal
worthy of better cause, they turned
their energy into those channels which
would aid the ruling class.
I'VE must go on with the war
There is no other way. This task
must not be left half done. We mus,
not transmit to posterity a legacy OF
blood and misery We may in this
great conflict go down in to the valley
of shadows because our foe is power
full and Injured. to war.1We must be
prepared to meet disappointment and
temporary reverse. but We must with
American spirit rise above them, with
courageous hearts we must go for
ward until this war is won"