The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-17
]. D. JOSEPH ON [. OF N.
Unfortunate That Congress Should Di-
vide Politically on Question.

Editor, State Journal:
1t is sad condition of affairs when
congress divides along political lines
on issues of such vital importance to
all the people as the League of Ma
tons. A few years ago the supreme
court of the United States, however,
divided on political lines on a far less
important question Under such con-
dition reasons degenerate to excuses,
patriotism to demagogism and leader
ship to camp following.
What man of prominence would as
sociate himself with Borah, the de-
fender of anarchists. were it not for
the votes that he may command. 1t
would not be correct to say that rad
ical socialists are the source of OPP
position to the League, but practically
every Red in the United States stands
pat against the League or for reServa-
tions that are designed to kill it. They
are led by the New Republic. an ably
edited weekly published in New York
City. The editorials of this weekly
are in perfect accord with the speeches
of Borah and Johnson. It seems that
they hope by supporting the Anti
League movement to enable Germany
and Russia to amalgamate in the cru
chile of Bolshevism and by extending
their combined power to Japan con-
troll first Asia then Europe, then the
world. Neither would I say that pro-
Germanism in America is the source of
+, opposition to the League, but practi-
cally every proi German in America
| stands with Borah and Johnson and
| their followers on this question. This
| means that the pro Germans hope to
! defeat or so mutilate and weaken the
League that Germany may be able to
| join with Russian and Japan and ac-
| complish with militarism what the
Reds seek to gain with Bolshevism.
BY pro-Germans 7 certainly do not
! wish to reflect on the average Ger
Oft Of
as my acquaintance goes, are among
| the best and most loyal citizens.
! The following taken from a CONVEX
sation on a Rock Island passenger
| train is typical of the general senti-
ment of the Reds and pro-Germans.
WILSON," said the passenger, had
! no business going to Europe. His
| place was at Washington. We had
no business manufacturing ammunf-
ton and sending over there. That
made all our trouble. 1t is not our
place to mix in the fights of Europe.
We as well be ruled by Germany as
Great Britain"
Probably the chief source of op-
position to the League is militarism
| It is this source that creates sentiment
for universal military training and
| General Wood to be the Republican
candidate for the next president.
| After militariSm comes the dis
cordant elements that had to be briPed
disloyalty If not straight out treason
/ during the war. They are ever ready
! to take advantage of any unstable con-
| dition to make extravagant demands
| and cause trouble even to the point of
| revolution. They are controlled by the
spirit that would prompt the fire COM
panies to strike when their city was
ablaze.
Much can be judged of the
! righteousness of a cause by the history
L. =
| league is Borah of Idaho. This is the
man to whom the anarchists fled as to
| a house of refuge when they, after
blowing up bridges from one end of
this nation to the other, were arrested
| for dynamiting the Los Angeles Times
| occupants at work on the inside. He
! defended them thru that historic trial
| with a zeal greater even than that
shown in opposition to the league of
friend of Bill Haywood, once tried for
completely in the murder of the gov
ernOr of Il state.
The other leader is Johnson of Cali
fornia, a creation of the radical ele-
ments along the Pacific coast The
need of the hour is intelligent. brave,
unselfish patriots and statesmen,
ready and willing to sacrifice their
| future. if necessary, for the good OF
generations to come.
Many senators seem to be trailing
after the red flag of the mob rather
than carrying to victory the stars and
stripes of a great people. Shouting
AmericanisTn and patriotism makes
their acts none" the less unworthy
When 1 contemplate, the discordant
turbulent, disloyal and dangerous ele-
ments that many of our statesmen are
pandering to, the future of our coun.
try does not seem bright.
]. D. JOSEPH.
Whitewater, Kan.