The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-10
WARS AFTERMATH.


The war has been over nearly six
teen months and it may be recalled
with satisfaction that few of the dire
calamities which it was predicted
would follow have materialized. The
world gradually is SOLDERING down and
setting its house in order. Production
is increasing and business is expand
ing.
Late last fall there were many
prophesies about the economic doom
(which impended in Europe; it was
feared that as a consequence of cold,
hungry winter Bolshevism would
sweep thruout Europe. and then
spread to the Western Hemisphere. 1t
is we'll to note, in this connection, that
soviet Russia is seeking peace today
and is far more anxious to establish
conn, ercial relations with the remain
der of tie world than the world is to
do business with soviet Russia. In
other words. Bolshevism has discov-
cred that western Europe does not
intend to succumb to it and, still more
important, can do without Bolshevistic
Russia easier than Bolshevistic Russia,
with it's starving millions. can do with
succumbed to its economic catas-
trophe.
ut may be well in these critical days
to remember that the world has ex-
listed for millions of years, and it will
continue to exist for many more mil
lions of years" says F. H. Sis
son of the Guaranty Trust COM
pany. 1T may help to correct
the angle OF our vision II we recall
that mankind somehow has always
managed to survive every human and
natural cataclysm, and has multiplied
and progressed. altho civilization after
civilization has risen and declined and
there have been many dark ages in
tervening The first law of nature is
self-preservation.- Man has lived, and
he will continue to live and to better
his condition as long as time endures.
The betterment that has been &C
complished in Europe since the cessa-
ton of hostilities has been due
chiefly to the fact that the con-
tinent has been able to command
the raw materials of the remainder of
the world and to bend it's energies to
the production of essentials-to work.
1t must work still harder. Even So
Wet Russia is beginning to understand
that, and to appreciate the necessity
for work. 1t is anxious to exchange its
gold-the crystallized labor of Russia
for locomotives and other railroad
material in order to bring the supplies
of food to the urban population. And
soviet Russia in desperation, is turn
ing its soldiers into laborers. There is
no substitute for work.
Among the former European bel
ligerents, Great Britain is, of course,
indisputably in the best position. Her
industry has made enormous strides
during 1919 and her foreign traders
and bankers have made notable prog
ress in the worlds markets in spite of
certain hampering obstacles.
Among the continental belligerents.
the difficulties to be surmounted have
in some cases proved quite insuper-
able. For this. the prolongation of the
peace negotiations has been in part to
blame. Part OF the difficulty, how
ever-in some cases large part-has
resulted from the inability or unwill-
ingness OF some of the peoples of Eu-
rope to face the facts. They have pre-
ferred to accuse 'heartless America
Of being 'gorged with the fruits of vic
tory and refusing aid to those who
helped win the victory"