The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-15
SOME CHANGE IN YEAR
Huns Then Were Launching Big
Drive-Now Are Beaten.

Paris, March 15.-One year ago to-
day the world covered in anticipation
of the launching of Germany's master
offensive of the war. On March 81
the blow was struck.
Today the final work of the peace
settlement was well under way, the
terms of which will bring Germany
militarily to her knees.
No greater picture of the triumph
OF right over might could be pre-
scented than the contrast of the presi-
dent of the worlds greatest democracy
riding thru the streets of Paris today
on his way to the peace deliberations,
and these same streets a year ago.
A brilliant moon will battle the
boulevards and the beautiful Champs
Elysee 18th silvery light tonight. A
year ago the same brilliance would
have meant terror and destruction, as
the German airplanes were abroad.
Sirens shrieked, the, streets became de-
serted and the city seemed scarcely to
breathe. Tonight, laughing crowds
will throng the streets. Hundreds of
children played in the Champs Elysee
this afternoon beneath the wheels OF
long lines of German guns, which a
year ago We're hurting death in sup
port of autocracy's last assault.
Hunger Instead of Junkerdom.
In Germany hunger and revolut. N
have taken the place of junkerdom.
Allied elegates at Brussels have pre-
scented final conditions to Germany by
which she is forced to turn over her
magnificent merchant fleet as pay
ment for food from the larders of her
enemies. Completing the picture. part
of these ships will be used to carry
home those thousands of American
fighters which the general staff as
sured the German people would never
reach these shores.
A year ago, America in France
meant a scant four-mile line in the
midst of the mud northwest of TouP'
which was held by the First division.
is write in terms of Chateau Thierry,
the Vesle, Cantigny, st. Mihiel and the
Argonne. But even more significant
is the fact that now allNthe Europeans
turn to America as the arbiter.
- In the final, delicate negotiations to
come, she stands out as the only dis
interested party. Delegates come to
the American representatives to pre-
sent arguments and claims, expecting
to get from them an unbiased opinion.
As the committees are winding up
their work of final recommendations,
the word from every delegate was, I'VE
! are now waiting for President Wilson,
Numerous questions are awaiting his
final word. For instance, the matter
of disposition of the German fleet will
be presented to him for his opinion.
With France and italy desiring a por-
| ton of those vessels, it is apparent that
a disagreement also has developed be-
tween naval and civilian representa-
| tives on other delegations. The naval
men, in what might be regarded as a
curious manner, from the standpoint
/ of precedent, favor sinking the ships.
| One of their arguments is that such a
| course will be in alignment with the
disarmament move. The civilians op-
pose sinking the ships on the ground
of economic loss
| Excepting such side issues, the stage
has been set for speeding the work OF
| bringing about peace. If all moves on
schedule. the treaty may be ready and
the Germans summoned by the an
niversary of the very day when they
began their last desperate attempt to
| conquer the world