The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-09
ADDS OIL TO FIRE
Sinking of Tuscania Will Stim-
ulate War Strength of q. s.
London Press COngratulates
America 1t Wasn't Worse.
NOT CAUSE FOR ALARM
Only Motive To Steel Hearts To
Overcome Sea Pirates.
Devote Energies Anew To Keep
Sea Lanes Open.
America 1t Wasn't Worse.
lot CAUSE FOR ALARM

of the liner Tuscania will stimulate
the United States to even greater re-
solve and sterner efforts on behalf of
the fight for democracy is the opinion
generally expressed in editorial COM
ment in the morning newspapers. Sat
isfaction is expressed and congratu-
lations are extended that the first dis
aster to many American transports
shows the emptiness of the German
boast that the submarine would rem
der the transportation of the Ameri-
can armies impossible and would in
timidate the Americans: It is de-
clared that it is too much to hope that
the Tuscania will be the last victim,
tho the conviction is expressed that
the American nation realizes fully the
difficulties ahead and is prepared to
meet them.
Some editorials says the submarine
menace has not yet been mastered and
remains a grave problem to which the
allies, especially Great Britain and the
United States, must devote all their
! energies in view of the imperative
need of keeping the Atlantic route
| open.
Deepens American Resolve.
The Daily Telegraph says:
THE Americans have defied the pi-
rates all these months and we are con-
WINGED that the sorrow and anger
which the loss of life on the Tuscan mia
will occasion will only steel the hearts
OF the people TO poTSeVeTo anu OeepSH
their resolve. There is nothing in the
| incident to occasion alarm, but It con-
| stitutes a warning to us and the
| Americans to concentrate on the de-
Tense of the Atlantic"
The Times, after expressing like the
other newspapers sympathy for the
American army and those personally
! bereaved, says:
'"They have died as millions of their
, countrymen are ready to die and AS
L. Il a-f he
struggle before victory is won and the
war aims of America accomplished.
"The spirit of the American people
was already high. 1t will be higher
yet as they mourn their heroes who
sleep forever beneath the waves of the
Atlantic and this tribute of precious
lives will stimulate them to height
ened efforts as nothing else could do"
Serious View of U-Boats.
The Daily Chronicle editorial is de-
voted wholly to a serious view of the
submarine campaign. 1t advises states
men who are inclined to make opti-
mistic statements regarding the sub
marine to keep their lips closed and
says that the declaration of Sir Eric
Geddes, first lord of the admiralty,
! that the submarine is held has had
| the usual sequel" The newspaper
| fears that the loss of the Tuscania t'is
only one among several losses of big
ships, tho the fact that it carried
American troops has earned it special
publicity"
Up to this time the United States,
the Daily Chronicle thinks has been
very fortunate in transporting troops
to Europe, and it assumes that it will
not be possible to escort all future
ships as strongly as was the Tuscania.
CoIltending that the main problem for
the allies is the maiptenance of ocean
| routes, the Chronicle remarks that no
relief for the allies in the air fighting
has yet come from America, while the
food shortage is pinching the allies
| in Europe earlier than had been ex-
pected. These facts it ascribes not
| to a lack of American effort but to
| the shortage of ships and maintains
that ship building both here and in
| America iagS very much behind what
is desirable. 1t adds:
The American ship building effort
seems still to remain further behind
our own than might have been hoped
Co-COnspirators in Ireland?
| Tribute is paid to American energy
in raising and equipping a splendid
army but the Chronicle says that the
only uncertainty is how large a por-
ton of the army can be ferried across
4 the Atlantic.
The Daily Graphic thinks that the
torpedoing of the Tuscania shows that
the activity of the submarines consti-
tutes serious obstacle to the trans
portation of American troops and
raises the question OF whether the U
boats are being enabled to replenisl
their supplies by pro-German conspir-
ators in Ireland