Class jB5.j3a5i3i GopightN". INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT t W//////////M/^////////////////////////////^^^^^ % Inside the Great Conflift Epic On the World's War Politics and Love \ By Stephen S. Parfenoff, LL.B. Author of * 'Human Trend/' mzzz. 1920 THE STRATFORD CO. Publishers BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS w^»^M/Myyy^/yyx/wy/yyj'^^^^^ ^"^tA^ W". \^ S.0 Copyright, 1920 by Dr. Cloyd E. McCready Gary, Indiana. OhC 20 1920 S)CU604613 r\\ ^ Contents Part One CHAPTER I Act. I Prologue Agreement 1 CHAPTER II Birth of Wilhelm 6 Anti-Christ 7 Some of Wilhelm 's characteristics . . 7 CHAPTER III Act II Old emperor was poisoned .... 9 Revelation to Wilhelm 10 CHAPTER IV Act I Anointment of Wilhelm . . . .17 Conferring the divine rights . . .18 Part Two CHAPTER I Act I English policy 27 CHAPTER II Act II Smart kings 30 CONTENTS Entente 31 CHAPTER III Act III War 32 Kaiser was prepared 33 The monster . . . . . . .35 The great bear 36 Part Three CHAPTER I Act I Love ........ 41 CHAPTER II Demon saw love 44 Demon's affection resulted in loss of his • tw^o friends 45 Demon cried 46 Demon fell in love 47 CHAPTER III Act III Demon's proposal 49 The girl responded 51 Forged letter 51 CHAPTER IV Act IV Uncle Sam 53 So near — yet so far 56 CONTENTS Unprepared .... Demon lost in love Demon makes Liberty blind . CHAPTER V Act V Keep away from kaiser Peace at any price Too proud to fight . CHAPTER VI Wager of politics . Act VI Alliance with reds . Interview with Lenine . 59 61 62 65 68 69 71 72 73 Part Four Fruits of Russian revolution Stand of progressive party Stand of moderate socialists Stand of army leaders . Bolshevism . Terrorism Kaiser's greatest victory Call for help . Part Five CHAPTER I Act I Respond Uncle Sam accomplishes impossible 81 81 83 84 85 87 88 89 93 94 CONTENTS CHAPTER II Act I Last charge of devil's army . . . .95 Marxists' strategy . . . . . 96 Blaming autocrats 97 Act II Kaiser — a fugitive 97 Act III Diplomatism 99 Beneficiaries of the world war . . . 100 Wilson's failure 101 Acknowledgment of Bismarck . . . 102 Part Six CHAPTER I Act I Love 105 Columbia's rule 106 Act II Czar Nicholas II .107 Act III Hades 110 The king of Hades Ill The kaiser 112 Act IV The supermen .... . . 114 Act V Octopus iiber alles 115 Act VI Lenine 's end 116 CONTENTS Act VII Home of Trotzky 120 Trotzky's greed 121 Act VIII Epilogue 122 INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Epic on the Great War, Politics and Love By Stephen S. Parpenoff, LL. B. Author of ''Human Trend'' Cast of principal characters: Bismarck Demon Kaiser People Liberty Columbia Roosevelt Uncle Sam Wilson Czar Nicolas Lenine Trotzky et al PROLOGE It was written enough Of love and great war And politics in prose And I decided, therefore, To escape the datas And conventional style. To use my simple rhymes And let the critics smile. Of course, you all admit That the truth is naked So read the book quietly Though your heart is ached. PART ONE Chapter I AGREEMENT Act I Bismarck: (In his cabinet, angry alone) Again a daughter born To our wretched princess . . . But we need an heir — man To fi^ht the world — yes. . . . We must have a leader To put the Vaterland Tiber alles and to hold The world in iron hand. But this — our crown prince Is just a feeble rat, They can not give a birth To an heir — male — a brat. Demon: (Appearing) Yes, I can help you. Bismarck : (Surprised) Why, is it demon? Well! [I] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Demon : Why, don't you recognize? Directly from hell! Bismarck : But what do you want of me? Demon : Why, you called me idly, I am not, I can help you And can be your ally. Bismarck : (After a moment) Well, for the Vaterland ! — Aim justifies the means; Crime — when — successful Called virtue by its miens. Better crime — a success Than virtue — a failure. Demon : Yes, if I deposed God — I would live at leisure. If you conquer the world Then most shall hail thee [2] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT A liberator — who The people has set free. Bismarck : Oh, yes, my Vaterland Must be ''uber alles." Demon : And if you want it so Then we must be allies. Bismarck : What is your condition? Or better state your case ! Demon : First you need a leader Worthy of your race- — And I swear by my might, That your crown princess Will have an heir bom Who can not us disgrace; And he — when emperor — Will crown your ambition, He will conquer the world ■ In spite of opposition. [3] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Bismarck : What is your condition For helping our cause? Demon : Why, we 're Atilla 's kins And pursue the same course. I want to drag Him down — The heavenly dweller And be a king of hell And heaven together. I want the kaiser to be — Supreme power on earth ; And I shall be his Gott To rule o'er death and birth. Your God imparts the fears — Only — an autocrat, But I'm for liberty, I am a democrat! When your folks shall bow And take me as their Gott Then liberty will reign For you, forget me not ! [4] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT My condition — easy, As a matter of fact. Bismarck : (According to the custom d/raws his Mood and takes a scroll of paper from the devil) By blood from right hand I shall sign the contract. To demon by his blood Bismarck signed a contract For his dear fatherland, Simple matter of fact! Demon : Now, Bismarck, listen. Our first step is this: I'll make the princess sleep Then her you take and — kiss. Bismarck : For my dear fatherland, I shall kiss the princess — Aim justifies the means ! Demon : Go ahead — your plans I bless. [5] Chapter II BIRTH OF KAISER As a fruit of the devil's plan, In time it came to pass; A living thing was born — E'en mother said: alas! It wasn't a rattle snake The more fierce looking; It was not a hyena — A more blood thirsty thing; But lo, it was a male! To rule on German throne. Princess saw a devil born And she, while all alone, And terror stricken, tried To stab the devil-baby. But the father — demon There has been already And took the boy away By the left arm of his And saved it thereby. And that is why it is [6] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT The kaiser's left arm grew Shorter than the other, It's a devilish mark And the curse of his mother. ANTICHRIST Jesus Christ was born In the humblest place; But the devil was bom — A prince in the palace. Son of God was greeted By shepherds and the star But the son of the devil By every king and czar. Oh, hail you all grafters. Crooks, beasts and rats. Profiteers, spouse-haters. Felons, vamps and brats ! ! Here is your inspiration. Here is your ideal In your vile spheres Not a sprite-corporeal. SOME OF KAISER'S CHARACTERISTICS Two decades have passed And look at the devil 's son — [7] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Hell is not disgraced Nor is Bismarck undone. He has the eyes of swine But with the eagle's sight, With the features of a bull, But as a cat — so light. He was a king of kings By look and by his mind. But the kurd was nobler And yacquis — more refiu'd. Attila and Chingis Chan And John the Terrible Were excell'd by this beast In deeds contemptible. He was every inch a tyrant, Lusty — a chimpanzee. Ravished nuns and sisters True to his pedigree. [8] Chapter III Act II OLD EMPEROR WAS POISONED (Bismarck and demon in Bismarck's cabinet) Bismarck : Now, I am growing old But before I am gone I want to see Wilhelm On the German throne. Demon : He is well bred by now, Graduated from hell, His past and present deeds Speak for future well. Here's a dose of poison — When the old rat will dine You give it unto him In the beer — not in wine. The king of ninety days By beer was put on Fritz [9] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT For good of Vaterland, That's why they love the Sehlitz. REVELATION TO KAISER (Bismarck, demon and kaiser in the cell of kcdser's family-treasures) Bismarck : Now, my future kaiser, Before you mount the throne We shall tell you a secret. Which you must know alone. Demon : Your father left a will And other magic things How to defeat the world And be a king of kings. Kaiser : Oh, that's my ambition — To put the Vaterland Tiber alles and to hold The world in iron hand. Bismarck : According to this will, First you war on Russia, [10] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT In such a way and manner: The old king of Austria, Being as your servant, Shall war on Serbs, of course, Russia will stand by them — That's a cause for your force To be set on Russia And against her allies. Czarina, in the meantime, Being one of our spies, Shall cause her Nick to quit Fighting for his brothers — And we shall win the world! . . . And then so far as others, Like England, are concerned. They can't sail to Berlin; And the chocolate soldiers Shall die before they win. Demon : If our trump — czarina Will be known as our spy And cause the fall of czar Then you'll have to rely ["] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT On Lenine and the son Of Judah — named Trotzky, They'll raise cry for freedom For the bolsheviky. But U. S. A., of course, They am't going to fight, "We breed there Bryan and Wilson — they are all right. And they all shall stand For peace at any price. You send your offsprings there To finance them all wise. Bismarck : When France is over-run And Russia's on her knees, Then England will be yours, And U. S. A. at peace — Then all your legal sons And illegitimates Shall rule the whole world As blood confederates. Demon And then your Vaterland Will be uher alles [12] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And you as "all highest" Shall laugh at the allies. Show a benevolence, Not an autocracy, And stand for liberty, Play in democracy. And always remember You are the hand of Gott — The greatest master here And thus, forget you not, You are the ''all highest" Amongst this mankind. WlLHELM : ''Gott is mit uns," and soon The world will so find. Demon : (Giving a hundle of maps and drawings to Wilhelm) We all depend on you. Take these secret plans For making war machines, How to spy or to advance. [13] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Make wars in Mexico And strikes in U. S. A. Boom that business first And that will pave your way. Let profiteers get rich By robbing the poorest class And make them mad as dogs, Revolt and die in mass. Let your men be tyrants And the agitators To raise revolutions As the liberators. Stand no compromise, Use well the brutal force And let the public pets Be grafters — legal curs. They'll cause a class war. Brother will fight brother, Son will fight his father And daughter — her mother. You are to go by trail Of your ancestors — huns. WiLHELM : Oh, I shall excel them Because Oott is mit uns. INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Demon : When the world will go mad In shedding blood and tears Then you'll be the master On BOTH hemispheres. But beware of Roosevelt And Milukoff — they are Worse to us than all Opposing kings and czar. Bismarck : (Giving a Mood-stained sheet to Wilhelm, who looked at it in dis- gust.) Flag for agitators, Give it them when you need Their help, it's their banner Will help you so in deed. WiLHELM : (Stepping backward as from an abominable premises) Why, that's a bloody rag! Even bulls don't love it. . . . Bismarck : Not the red reformers. It's their learnt requisite. [15] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT WiLHELM: (Still obstinate) Who drew the blood? from whom? Bismarck: (To Wilhelm) You drew it by your birth And we wrote plans with it To make you king of earth. (Kaiser takes the rag and kisses it.) [i6] Chapter IV Act I ANOINTMENT OF WILHELM (Representatives of many nations were present and some of the crowned heads could he seen. Glittering and pomp was too comprehensible to describe). It wasn't a wedding feast Nor funeral of witch, It wasn't a dog's assembly, Out of sight, in the ditch, It wasn't a rat in grease Nor a mouse in the cream Or a snake anointing A snake in joy supreme; It was the anointment Of the son of devil, Was — an anathema — Triumph of the evil. With the sounds of anthem Rang the bells, roared guns, And in exult of joy Even monks married nuns — [17] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT So maiden blood and tears, Sour-krout, wine and beer, Duels, cards and robbery Were mixed in the revere. E'en diamonds in the crown Were bought with the blood Of ages by the devil — Were prize of sin and lewd. Why shouldn't they rejoice? The top of the chaplet even Was adorned, think of it. With the cross of heaven. CONFERRING THE DIVINE RIGHTS Bismarck : (Ending his address, which was an arrogant praise of his Vaterland for her heroic deeds in the past, great achievement in the present, and the great future, praising his Vaterland even for her great un- done deeds in advance, exclaims in exult.) Kings, ladies and gentlemen, Deutchland uher alles! And glory to our king And praise to his allies. [i8] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT (At this time the suite of high priests approached the stand he- fore the throne with their canonic paraphernalia and the sacra- mental oil to bestow the divine rights of the anointee.) Prince Gorchakofp of Russia: (Aside) Old frog — uber alles, Unter alles of hogs. . . . Ambassador of England : (Aside) Uber alles of fools. . . . Ambassador of U. S. A. : (Aside) Uber alles of dogs. . . . Ambassador of France : Uber alles of curs — The prowlers of nights. Priest: (Ending his henediction) And now by anointing You'll have ''all highest rights." Priests : (Praying in a low voice) Victories to the king. . . . Glory to Vaterland. . . . [19] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Gerchakoff : (Observing the cup with the sacra- mental oil) They want to give the devil Divine rights, understand. . . . To dispute the right of God! Not that ! — you king of huns. . . . Priest: (Praying) Lord, make us uher alles. . . . WiLHELM : Yes, Gott ist mit tins. . . . GORCHAKOFF : (While the assembly were praying, he took the cup with the sacred oil and emptied it in his pocket and then poured in it his common booze — vodka — from the quart, which he had a hahit of carrying with him even to church, aside) And this kind of sacred oil And give you ' ' de-wine rights ". . . . [20] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Priest : (Anointing Wilhelm with vodka) Oh, Lord make all his foes To fear him — day and night. . . . GORCHAKOFF : (After the ceremony of anointment, ending his address) I pray you all to notice That now this anointment Gave the king "De-wine" rights With God's arbitrament. . . . So Wilhelm took the throne Son of devil, king of huns, Thinking: uher alles; And saying: Gott mit uns. GoRCHAKOFF: (LooMng at the kaiser, aside) This anointment ' ' de-wine ' ' Did not make him feel well . . . And so he won't succeed — He will go back to hell. . . . Bismarck : (Observing no change in the face of kaiser, scented the trouble and examined the sacred cup, where- [21] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT upon he found a common mujik vodka instead of the sacraments in it and in rage to Gorchakoff) My old friend, Gorchakoff, You are a friend — no more! You have tricked the master And for this — we shall war! Gorchakoff : (Laughing, to Bismarck) Go ahead, break your neck, But there will be no more ''Divine rights" for your kings Whether in peace or war. Demon: (Appearing and irely to Bismarck) For such an impudence. His czar, the Liberator Shall die by violence From hands of conspirator. I will make his czar's son A vodka's fiend — to die. The throne of czar's grandson Will fall and end his sigh. (Directly to Bismarck) Breed for them czarina. Send more bureaucrats [22] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And more provocators To use the mass as brats. And then Russian nations And her classes shall fight As mad dogs and equal In their fighting might. (Demon disappears, leaving Gor- chaJcoff and Bismarck face to face. Kaiser observing their stern atti- tude comes on the scene and drops his handkerchief at the feet of Gorchakoff.) GORCHAKOFF : (Observing the purpose of the kaiser, instead of picking it up, steps on the kaiser's handkerchief) Might of truth is with us — Might of God and, therefore, We shall not sleep in peace And we shall fight in war. Gott's not mit uns — but God . . . And all's well — when ends well, But surely, I believe, You all shall meet in hell. . . . (Gorchakoff leaves Bismarck and Kaiser in their irresponsive spell.) [23] PART TWO Chapter I Act I ENGLISH POLICY (Session of the English cabinet) Gray: (Expressing the foreign policy) Our ancient enemy, The land power — Russia Must be made our ally At the expense of Persia And Constantinople. If not — then czarina Will make Nick an ally Of kaiser — the hyena. . . . Minister of Marines: And if our fleet will be Outrivaled on the sea Then our cause will be lost And India will be free And other colonies Shall follow U. S. A. [27] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And the British cause Will be lost, Mr. Gray. . . . Gray: Our trump — to form an entente And then "league of nations," Entente to break the huns, League — to guard possessions. We can hold what we have By keeping us in team With the smallest nations And the crown will be supreme. Against the Russian nation We've revolutions. We'll keep her paralyzed By her institutions. Next president of yanks Will be a friend of us. Who shall like the king And make so — all U. S. Roosevelts and Milukoifs Must be dealt with wise — Keep them out of power And that — at any price. [28] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Minister of Finance: France and other nations — No less — than our vassals Because their heads depend On British capitals. [29] Chapter II Act II (In Rome. An agitating conference between the kings of Italy, Roumania Bulgaria and the am- bassador of France just before the great war.) SMART KINGS Ambassador of France : (Agitated and tired) You must be our allies Against the devil kaiser. . . . King op Italy: (Defensively) "We must have the money. . . . (He was not a Miser) Yet, we don't like Russia, If she is free of curbs Then we '11 not be able To show a tongue to Serbs. . . . We want all Dalmatia And the Adriatic And make all Jugo-Slavs To feel as on the attic. [30] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And if Eussia will have The Dardanelles' strait Then for us — good night — With the bear tete a tete. King of Bulgaria : (Antagonistically) That's why I took the name Of czar — it makes me right To claim the rivalship "With the Moscow might. The kaiser said to me To take the name of czar And here — I am the czar ! The Russian dreams to bar. King op Roumania : (German prince) If czar will have Bosphorus Then I shall lose my say In my Roumanian home — I'll work the other way. Entente And so just Russia, Serbs, England and France Have formed the alliance To break the devil's lance. [31] Chapter III Act III WAR (State room of the kaiser. Lackey announces the appearance of the ^^all highest.' ' Kaiser appears with demon behind him. All the as- sembly bows in homage. Demon triumphantly laughing.) Demon : (Aside, to assembly) All thy learnt brains — mine, All thy juniors — my slaves, Now I will gain by wars "What my ambition craves. . . . Assembly: (To the ''highest") We hail ^'the all highest"— The '^Father" of six sons! Kaiser : (Aside) ''Father," they make me laugh. . . . (To the assembly) Children, Gott ist mit uns. [32] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT (After receiving reports from his ministers and finding that all his enemies are not yet prepared for the war, kaiser saw the advantage and after summing up the reports in a brief statement, exclaims) And we are ' ' uber alles ! " And just as huns before — "We'll win by sword and fire. . . . I declare on Russ war! Squeal and scream and roar Met his declaration, E'en Marxists sharpen 'd tails All throughout the nation. E'en the kaiser's daughter Loved a commonest hun For a democracy . . . When the war's begun. Kaiser Was Prepared Kaiser with help of devil According to his plans Built ships for sea and air And mysterious guns. To capture gay Paris, In the year of 1914, [33] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT He without a warning, Set his best machine. And so it came to pass — The social demokrats Were true to their Bismarck Had gendarmes in their hearts, Instead of Marseillaise Sang ' ' Deutschland uber alles" And the '^Wacht am Rhein" Killing their own allies. And the sun was too weak To send his rays on earth Thru the clouds of darkness To light the death and dearth. And worse than a sarancha On the spring field of rye, And worse than the black plague, And cholera's death sigh, Worse than a joy of kurds In Armenian village. Worse than Jews' pogroms In a Russian pillage; — It was the kaiser's march. The king of beasts and sin, [34] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT To sit in gay Paris ''Unter der baldachin.'^ The Monster Like a reptile wizard, Breathing fire and gas, With one blow leveling The cities to the grass, And with a single breath Breaking fences and forts And by his paws sweeping Forests, hosts and ports, Kaiser — ghasty monster — Horribly marched on. Blinding the moon and stars And the rays of the sun. Misery, tears and blood. Terror, slaughter and woe Were his faithful servants, And against such a foe Belgium, ought to be said. With all her little might, Bravely, at the monster To stop him, took a bite. [35] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT The Great Bear The bite of Belgium Could not stop the kaiser, It did not save Paris, Nor made the beast wiser. And — one moment more The proud beauty of France He would ravish — but then In such a circumstance The tail of the monster That was in East-Prussia Was caught by the teeth Of great bear from Russia, Who would not let it loose And the beast of kaiser — Then coiled like a snake, Trembled like a miser. And for the strategy. To capture sweet Paris, Decided that his tail First must be made free. And so he coiled backward. Struck the bear of Russia With his available might, Thrust him out of Prussia — [36] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT But before lie could free His tail from the bear The British came to help In less than half a year. And the beast of kaiser In new rush for Paris Lo, the river of Mame He found then — a broad sea. With his tail pinched fast He could pass Marne — no more. But the French and British Think that they won the war! [37] PART THREE Chapter I Act I (Scene of garden in the Spring. Roses abloom and varieties of other flowers. Tillie Liberty and Stephen People on the tench under an oak tree.) LOVE Tillie : (In sweet lover's voice) Stephen, dear, I shall be Happy all my life thru, Clinging to your side as Your wife — good and true. . . . I dream of you by night And long for you by day . . . I love you, dear Stephen, I am your own — I pray. . . . Stephen: (In exult of gladness) Dear, many years I spent In search of one like you ; And now the world is mine — You are my — angel — true. . . . [41] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And how strong I am now! How sweet is such a life! I love you, dear Tillie, Be my partner — my wife. . . . TiLiLiE : (In reverie) Stephen, I don't believe In death — because — we love, Love makes us saint, pure, Just as the One above. Stephen : Tillie dear, talk some more, I want to hear your voice, Murmuring ever love. Thrill me and rejoice. . . . When I just touch your hand I feel myself — your part — Part of sun in heaven, A universal heart. . . . Tillie : Stephen dear, I love you. Stephen : Tillie dear, I love you. . . . [42] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT TiLLiE AND Stephen : (Together) From now on, help us God, We vow to be e 'er true. . . . (Now they kiss and how long — I know not.) [43] Chapter II DEMON SAW LOVE Well, have you ever been In love so deep as this ? Did you e'er lose a time When you have had a kiss? Love perfects imperfect; Cabbage — makes your rose; Devil — makes your angel Whom you cannot oppose. . . . And here's a proof to you: A demon loosed from hell Once flew over U. S. A. To marry Europe, — belle Of exquisite beauty; — The king of blood and death. The king of hate and wrath, The king of poison 'd breath Observed the lovers' twain, Their lips joined in a kiss, — Heart to heart, breast to breast And can you believe this — [44] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT The coward demon stop 'd, The dirty king of hell Grew ashamed of his life And on the earth — he fell ! . . . The demon, heartless beast, Black of sod and dried blood. Watched the loving couple While hiding in the mud. . . . Demon's Affection Resulted in Loss OF His Two Friends Was he there half a day, Half a year — I know not. But the beast — the kaiser, Being without his Gott, Soon began to question The hope to win the war With his tail in the pinch And blunted teeth, therefore. His friends deserted him: First the Italian king Then the Roumanian king Joined the British ring To help the British cause Against the Russian bear, [45] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT To get for this his share Or if they can — his hair. Demon Cried Every kiss and laugh, Each word of love and cheers Made the devil meek and mad And shed his grief in tears. The first time in his life Demon cried and his tears Were dropped on the ground Of U. S. A., and hear!: The land of God's country Shriveled in disgust, Shook the hills of the East, Blew cities to a dust. Could not chase the devil off Under the laws of men But it blew the tears up In anger great and then Would not take them back. Winds carried them away. One of devil's tears fell On island of Hawaii [46] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And now there, where it fell, Right on the top of the isle, A hell came out — crater. Breathing fire all the while. Another devil's tear Fell near Valparaise, State of Indiana, Where you can find also — A hole, called Sager's lake, Set in a lovely vale, The place where lovers meet. But listen to this tale: — EVry year in the Spring Its water takes a man Unfaithful to his maid, E'er since the lake began. Demon Fell in Love The king of war and slaves, The king of depths of hell, Forlorn his own glory, In love for Tillie fell. He ran into a lake. Sod and blood washed off Attired in a civil dress And came out, — Bernstoff. [47] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT His servants were so glad, Chewed the glass, drank the oil And blood in Mexico And over Europe's soil. Some didn 't know what to do So they turned to be good And took the shape of snakes And crept all in the wood. [48] Chapter III Act III (Demon as an ambassador was introduced into the society of this country, gained an acquaint- ance with Tillie Liberty and became her ardent admirer, notwithstandin Tillie' s repeated re- fusal to accept his attention. Scene of the ball given by the ambassador Bernstoff, where could be seen most of the democratic leaders ivith Wil- son and Bryan as the lions of the set. Demon and Tillie on the terrace.) DEMON'S PROPOSAL Demon : Fair maid of U. S. A., Your purity is deep Sunk in the heart of mine, I can sigh, I can weep, I can make war or peace, I once have dwelt above, I'm still a king of kings. But I can 't take thy love. Surrender yourself, maid. To me, and God Himself [49] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Will come down, — a servant "When the world will be — myself. But I am lacking love. Maid bestow me thy love, And the realm of Hell And the kingdom of above Shall be united in one And there will be no fears Of God or hate of hell, Nor shedding blood or tears. Happiness of the world Depends alone on peace — So long as hell and heav'n Live — war will never cease. Think of the harmony Of universal peace, For which humanity Will pray thee on her knees. And hail me — Messiah, Forgetting sacrifice. And here upon the earth We'll make a paradise. I'll give you silk and gold, Diamonds and rare things, [50] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT "World 's riches shall be yours . . And servants — earls and kings. The Girl Responded The words of such a kind From one who can persist Have a great attraction — Some girls cannot resist. And Tillie was not old, Of mind and body pure, She could not understand As one of age mature The demon's final aim And agreed with the devil That 'tis nigh well to end War of good and evil. Forged Letter One of the demon's servants After a little while Brought Tillie a false message Full of deceit guile — A Forged letter, saying, That Stephen overheard Bernstoff's talk to her And that now it's absurd [51] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT To keep the engagement, She could not understand Such sort of jealousy From her loved Stephen, and She asked the demon — why He is so eccentric And the demon said that May be, he's splenetic. But it's an old saying That if you have a lover You would never listen Love talk of another. And so it comes to pass — When the woman does yield Her years to love talks — Thus she loses her shield. [52] Chapter IV Act IV UNCLE SAM (Sleeping room of Uncle Sam. Roosevelt enters and is trying to wake him.) Roosevelt : Sam, you sleep too long . . . Open your eyes and see . . . I came to talk with you, Come on, wake up, hear me. Sam: Well, let me sleep some more. Roosevelt : You may sleep when I am gone, But I am here and I will Keep you awake, come on! . . . Uncle Sam gets under Blankets, but Teddy takes The blankets off and Sam, Seeing clothes off, makes [53] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT A dash to his ward-robe. Sam: What is the matter, Teddy, You go hunting and when You're back — 111 be ready. Roosevelt : No, get dressed right now, We have no time to lose For beasts in Africa Or e'en for the bull-moose. Every common sense So well understands That Miss Liberty Falls in the devil's hands. Sam : (Excitedly) What? what, my daughter! (Reflectively) Well, Teddy, can 't you see That my little daughter Is her own boss and free. Roosevelt : What, to mary a devil ! And drag us all to hell! [54] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT No, by God, you sleep yet, Oh, I shall ring the bell, I'll wake you up to see The things yourself quite well That this groomed Bernstoff A demon out of hell. . . . Sam : (Seriously) Why, Teddy, can you prove ? EOOSEVELT : Yes, come and you shall see That our Miss Liberty From the devil is not free ! Sam: Well, it may be the truth. That freedom is all right So long as it is ours . . . And, surely, I will fight Any suitor of hell Who does court my daughter. Let us go and see him — Who is that curst plotter? (The party leaves.) [55] Act IV SO NEAR — YET SO FAR (Scene of a parlor. Demon and Tillie hy the window.) Demon : Liberty, marry me And the pearls of oceans, The gold of the world And the fur of Russians I'll bring all to thy feet. Tillie : (Jokingly) You can spoil me thereby . . . So much ev'ry thing. . . . I want . . . — be good and I. . . . Demon : (Seeing meekness of Tillie, takes her hy the arms with intent to kiss her) Love me, my dear Tillie, (Aside) [56] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT This will take off my curse. . . . (To Tillie) And then I will be able To rule the universe. Tillie : (Hesitatingly) I will ask my father first. . . . Demon Oh, Tillie, you are free, Therefore, to marry me You are at liberty. Tillie Yes, my father said to me That I'm of age and free And I believe in that — "What you have said to me. Demon : (In exuberance of joy steps hack of Tillie and takes his own shape, aside.) Oh, here I am the king, King of hell and heaven [57] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And ill a moment, God From heaven shall be driven. . . . (Demon takes hack the appearance of Bernstof and again embraces Tillie.) End of mad world has come, The end of wars for life . . . World shall have one master! And there will be no strife. Then vice and sin shall be Good as virtue itself. Then hate will be — love, Fear — faith, and life — myself. The tigers and the lions, All the beasts of prey — 111 make them human pets On the streets to play. Tillie : Oh, then I shall be free, Why, absolutely free, Yes, I shall marry thee. My love I give to thee. Demon: (Taking his devilish shape, aside) I've won — ^the God is mine! — The love is in my hand . . . [58] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And my immortal kiss My kingdom shall expand. . . . (Demon leans to kiss Tillie and at that moment Uncle Sam, Roosevelt and People enter in the parlor and see the demon in his real self, who observed the party and stopped to realize the kiss.) Unprepared Sam : (Excitedly) By God, that's some devil! . . . Boys, shoot 'im, fire the gun. . . . EOOSEVELT : Sam, Where's your gun ? quick ! Sam: I have not any one. . . . Oh, Jesus Christ, help us, "We are not armed, sons. To kill a bat ; Wilson Is rusting all my guns. . . . Let us run to Wilson! . . . [59] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT KOOSEVELT : Leave the girl to the devil ! No! let's use what we have To defeat this evil. . . . (Mr. People makes a rush on the devil with unmistakable intent to fight him with what he has — his fists — hut Roosevelt holds him hacTc, saying,) Let me handle him first, You see he 's a devil and — Stronger physically Than you are, understand. Liberty : I am free, am I not? ... Why can't I be as such ! . . , Roosevelt : Yes, I do not deny — You're free, but not so much — As to marry a devil And make us all his kins. Demon : (Laughing) Ha, ha, ha, she loves me, You're late — and my cause wins, [60] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT She will be from now on — Mine — my own Liberty, She gave herself to me And in this she was free ! Your Constitution says That the people are free And your God blessed them, Therefore, you all can see That under the laws of men And under the laws of God Miss Liberty is mine. You have lost — the wage is odd. EOOSEVELT : Our Constitution is The law of our own land — It is made for OUR good To keep our good in hand, But can't protect the devil, It's against the COMMON LAW. And, therefore, the devil Shall have to withdraw. Demon : But God's law is higher Than that " common law" of thine, [6i] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT God sanctions love on earth — She loves me — she is mine. . . . (And the demon with Liberty in his arms makes a dash for out- side, hut Roosevelt catches him hy the wings and halts) Roosevelt : Wait, I am not thru yet, Why is such a hurry? If you 're right — you '11 have Liberty, why worry! And we will not claim her, But see, OUR Liberty In the hands of the devil Does not make him free. . . . D-EMONifirely) She loves me — she is mine. . . . EOOSEVELT : NO ! she's saved by LOVE — Love is virtue of God And her home is above. Demon : Makes Liberty blind with his breath and irely) [62] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Demon : If I did not win her By my love then, I swear, I'll win her by the war! (And started to run away) Stephen People: (Running after demon) Await you, devil, wait! I have not got the lead But with my empty hands I'll tear off 3^our head! Uncle Sam: Go to, boy, and get him! Roosevelt : No use, Sam, you will see, He has a safety place In the German embassy. Liberty : (As after a sleep) Yes, I know myself now — I have been so blind, And now my eyes — outward Expression of my mind. [^3] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Uncle Sam: Liberty, from now on You can't be by yourself. Liberty : Yes, I shall be more safe In your care, I know myself. 164] Chapter V Act V (Scene of Wilson's cabinet. Session of council of defense. Most of the members are pres- ent.) — keep aivay from fighting, peace at any price, too proud to fight, etc. Stephen People: (In altercation) Wilson, I want a gun! To kill a demon, see. . . . Wilson : No, you haven't the right . . . The devil is in his embassy. Roosevelt : But he brings upon us WAR, Destroys our property, Kills our men and is Filching our Liberty. . . . People : He blows our mills in air — He plunders our land. . . . We must fight him down And all his devilish band. . . . [65] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Wilson : I don't approve the FIGHT, But the SHIPS and OUR MEN Must KEEP AWAY from him — It will be all right then. Roosevelt : But he destroys our homes, Steals Liberty away. , . . Wilson : (Antagonistically) Why, I said already — That they MUST KEEP AWAY. Uncle Sam : (To Wilson, resolutely) No, I can't suffer that, And you're talking a fish, (Excusing himself for the slang) Open armories of mine, Give them arms, so I wish. . . . Wilson : Oh, listen, wait, my master. By Jove, I'll write a note. For a year or two or more ! I'll try to ''get their goat." [66] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And you can all admit That the might of my pen Can protect the honor Of every denizen. Roosevelt : Oh, you have been using Your writing might for years And it produced only More of blood and tears. And all other nations Now ridicule your course — It's a disgrace for us, Your policy — a curse. Bryan : (Fearing that there may he a fight) God bless you, children, Peace ! peace ! at any price. . . . War is hell, don 't you fight . . . Hatch a dove — my advice. . . . Wilson: (To Bryan) I thank you my teacher. Marshall : (To Wilson, pathetically) You kept us out of war Oh, so sucessfully And you can keep so — more. [67] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Wilson : Thank you, Mr. Marshall, And you shall keep my vice, So long as I am here Stick by me^ — my advice. Stephen People: Mr. Vice-manager, Suppose that your wife Is assaulted by a devil "Would you fight — save her life ? Bryan : (Interrupting) Peace, peace at any price. Marshall : And that is what we say — She must be more careful And keep from him away. Wilson: (To Roosevelt, "bluntly) Say, you — republicans, You think me an autocrat, Can't you understand that I am a democrat f — [68] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Roosevelt : No, I am American! And stand for union And liberty of men — Whom we depend upon. Wilson: (Continuing) I AM TOO PROUD TO FIGHT, I am too good for this. . . . Let other people fight, But I will live in bliss. Roosevelt : Come, Mr. Manager — Would you fight for your wife, Knowing that you can save Thereby her very life ? Wilson : Oh, most assuredly. . . . To save her life — I '11 fight ! Bryan : Peace, peace at any price. Manager, you aren 't right ! . . You were saying before I am too proud to fight, [69] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Loved peace at any price, Held — might isn't right. . . . Better live — a coward Than a hero in the grave. . . . Roosevelt : Would you fight to be free Or live in peace — a slave ? Bryan : (To Wilson) Yes, peace at any price, That's just my idea! . . . And if you want the grave Go fight o'er the sea. . . . But since you're for this stuff, Here's my resignation. . . . (Solemnly) GIVE ME LIBERTY OR A GRAPE-JUICE CONVENTION. Wilson : (Solemnly) Grape- juice convention, National prohibition Shall glorif}^ your name And fill your ambition. END OF PART THREE [70] CHAPTER VI Act VI WAGER OF POLITICS Demon met a failure. To win love in U. S. And so came back to his Old haunts for new success. When the last two kings Joined the ring of British And so many thought then That war's at the finish. But it came not to pass Devil was too mad to rest : While eating spaghetti He smashed all Bucharest. But still his tail was fast Held in the teeth of the czar, And from his goal in Paris He still was very far. Then devil bade czarina With all her blackest might To bring peace with the Russ And stop her nation's fight. [71] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT But the Russian people Cut her business off, And the mad czarina caused The fall of Romanoff. So England sent to Russia Gramophon — Kerensky — But devil with bloody rag Sent — Lenine and Trotzky. The devil's policy And British policy In respect of Russia — Was — ' ' more democracy. ' ' (Demon and Kaiser) Kaiser: (Alliance with reds) My dreams are coming through. Russia is dwindling off. Demon : The British aided me To o'erthrow Milukoff. Demon : Call Lenine and Trotzky For a conference with us. [72] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Kaiser : Lenine's here but Trotzky In the red haunts of U. S. But I am, sure, in doubt — Whether men of Karl Marx Can help us very much. Demon : Oh, they are easy marks. You don't forget your own Marxian democrats. Kaiser: Oh, well, that's different. They always were my brats. (Lenine enters) Demon : (Interview with Lenine) I heard that you would Accept help from the devil To make the lower class To uproot the bourgeois evil. Lenine : Yes, I said — long ago That the proletariats [731 INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Must rule the world as kings And not exist as brats. And to uproot the rule Of cruel capitalism I'd accept the devil's help For the cause of bolshevism. Demon : For the equality And brotherhood of man. Kaiser : All Russia then will be A patriarchal clan With me — their patriarch. Demon : (To kaiser) Don't show your ignorance, Call it a communism, And great deliverance. Kaiser : (Correcting himself) Das ist recht, in my heart I'm not an autocrat, I long for socialism — I am a democrat. [74] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT And that 's why my Marxists Fight for me, because — I am for liberty (To Lenine, positively) I'm fighting for your cause. And my Bulgarian czar — A socialist, too, you see. And the Turkish sultan Made all his harem free. . . . (After a passing thought) When I picked the flowers From the graves in France I heard them say to me Further not to advance. And why should I fight? When there is a better chance To establish my rule By means of your fine plans? I stand for liberty, — And freedom of the sea For a universal Gott — For a democracy. [75] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Lenine : (Aside) Of course, he is a liar But I will use his aid To establish bolshevism, Of him I'm not afraid. Kaiser : You know this very well — The war's been forced upon me, For I'm a radical And stand for liberty. Lenine : Point of information :- For whose liberty? For liberty of men — Such as you and me. Our interest — the same — I'll get the capitals Of my foes on the west And help your radicals To make you all supreme To do whatever you please [76] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT In Russia, but hear this : ''We are to live in peace." (Aside) He is an easy chap Then all his motherland Will become soon after The part of Vaterland. Lenine : (Aside) I will make his tail rot When I get the power And to save his own head He'll hide in his Dutch bower. (To Kaiser and devil) Your offer pleases me, Finance the bolshevists, Send us your officers And all your communists To put the middle class In Russia underneath And to the working class Present a victor's wreath. (Lenine leaves, shaking hands with the devil and the kaiser.) [77] PART FOUR Act I FRUITS OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (Meeting of delegates in Russia to decide on peace or war against the kaiser after the czar was deposed.) Stand of Progressive Party MiLUKOFP : (Ending his speech) We must fight the kaiser And fight to the finish And then protect ourselves From the Japs and British. . . . (After explaining the relations of Russia ivith the foreign nations and the necessity of concerted ac- tion of all the people of Rus- sia for the interest of the country) (Appealing) To save Russia from wreck — Keep the law and order. . . . Voice of Bolsheviks: Law and order of czar ? . . . Slavery and hunger! . . . [8i] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT MiLUKOFP : (Replying) Homicide for a crime Cannot be a murder, It's never slavery To yield to law and order. (Continuing) For the welfare of Eussia We must have the Dardanelles — Open roads to the seas. And what we're in need of else Is to teach the masses To read and write, — and — The curse of bolshevism — The people to forget. History makes no jumps, Eight after monarchism You never can establish The state of communism. The republic must be built By the gradual evolution Of the masses themselves, — Not by a revolution. (Milukoff leaves the tribune under the applause of the delegates) [82] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Stand of Moderate Soclvlist Kerensky : (After speaking a few hours on the subject of war without annexa- tion and indemnities and on scien- tific socialism) Milukoff, my comrades, Is not a socialist — Wants his Dardenelles! He's an imperialist! — No better than the czar, But our revolution — Made to change conditions Of the old constitution — (Shouting) Down with the laws of the czar! . . . Down with discipline! . . . In the army and navy! . . . Down with the czar's machine! . . . Long live the committees! Committees everywhere! In the army and navy. . . . General Korniloff : (To Milukoff) This soap box debonnaire, [83] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT By destroying discipline, Will cause our might to cease. With the fall of our armies — Eussia will lose its peace. MiLUKOFF : (To Korniloff) He is a British hand. Kerensky : We must fight — God compels !. But — no annexation! We need not the Dardanelles. We must fight the kaiser, Down with his institutions ! But no indemnities, And no contributions! . . . And universal peace Will come and stay with us, And then will liberty Protect the home of the Russ! (Kerensky leaves the trihune under the applause of delegates.) Stand of Army Leaders Gen. Korniloff: (Korniloff made an impassioned speech on the subject of preserv- [84] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT ing the discipline in the army and navy in order to continue the war against the central powers and to hold Russia together from hreah- ing to pieces.) New God — new sacrifice ! But I'll rebel, — to-day. . . . (Pointing to Kerensky) He drifts to bolshevism ; I shall drive them away. I am a moujik myself, And this you can't deny, And I '11 fight for Russia To save her or I die. (Gen. Korniloff leaves the tribune under the applause of delegates.) Bolshevism Lenes^e : (On the tribune) Comrades, citizens, friends. We do not want their war. We don 't want the slaughter ! We want our freedom more ! [85] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT We want but peace and bread ! But freedom, peace, and bread! That is what we all want. . . . (To the right from the center) YOU want to die — GO AHEAD ! But don't make the others To die for you — in war. . . . (To the right from the center) The mass works for you — ^yet ! That's not enough — NO, more — You want them to die for you. But that's too much to ask From anybody, because, It's a self perform 'd task. (After two hours of speaking on the subject of inequality and op- ression, etc.) Down with bourgeoisie ! . . . And private property ! . . . Down with slavery ! . . . Long live liberty! . . . All the lands — to peasants! All the mills — to workers! [86] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT All the stores — to masses ! All the bread — to toilers. . . . (Applause from the left interrupts the speaker) Voice: (From the left) We want you our leader. . . . Make free the enslaved mass. . . . Long live the brotherhood Of the only working class. . . . (General commotion of the assem- bly stops the speaker and is be- yond control of the chairman. Trotzky in meantime comes to Le- nine and, after a consultation with him mounts the tribune. Le- nine leaves the assembly immedi- ately and returns with an armed force ivhich by violence ousts the opponents.) Terrorism Trotzky : (Speaking more than two hours on the subject of cause and preven- tion of wars, peace with Germany and social revolution) [87] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT To save the revolution We must have a red guard — Death to the bourgeois class! Kill them or whip them hard ! All who are not with us Are against us, therefore, On each opponent now Here we declare a war ! . . . (After a deliberation on the prac- tical matters the assemhly had elected the ministers. Lenine was elected by the coTnmissioners as their president and Trotzky as a minister of war and navy. Hence- forth the orders of this body were carried out strictly under the pen- alty of death as from the supreme authority of the land.) EESULT OF BOLSHEVISM Kaiser ^s Greatest Victory So Russia was brought down The devil's tail was free And the British navy ruled The ports of the Russian sea. [88] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Soon the middle of Europe Came under the kaiser's hand And the Russ were sold to him By Trotzky and his band. And the might of the kaiser Grew stronger than before And the world was thinking That the kaiser won the war. Call for Help And in this distress, To save them in the fray, They looked about for help, And turned to the U. S. A. [89] PART FIVE CHAPTER I RESPOND (Meeting of the council of defence of the U. S. A.) Roosevelt : The kaiser wins the war — All the middle of Europe And Russia are with him For the allies there is no hope. Shall we trust the kaiser Since his treaty with the Russ . . . And shall we live in peace When he makes war on us? . . . Lusitania is sunk — "What proofs need you more To show you that it's 7iot A friendly act — but WAR. Wilson : (After the speeches of other states- men in favor of war) [93] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Yes, and I am tired, too. Of corresponding more. And for democracy We'll start on the kaiser- war. Uncle Sam Accomplished Impossible And Uncle Sam did start, With all his fervent might — Became ready for war Practically over night. He has accomplished The impossible thing — Built bridges over seas And made all Europe sing The star spangled banner. And why should they not sing! When in such a dire stress They saw a hope on the wing ? British sin for Russia Was paid by the blood Of boys of Uncle Sam, Forget it not, my God. [94] Chapter II Act I LAST CHARGE OF DEVIL'S ARMY But a sin for a sin : Beast 's tail would not heal ! Because it was infected, Now they themselves reveal, With the kaiser's poison — With a fierce bolshevism, And kaiser started to cry For peace and humanism. Why he became so good ? — Saw stars and stripes ahead! And his tail in the rear Was gangrened ! — it was red. . . . And the ire monster then, He has groaned once more And struck, to save his life. The front to win the war ! . . . But the eagles of Uncle Sam Met him over the top And made him run so far It seemed he would never stop. [95] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT (The scene of 'battle in France) MARXISTS' STRATEGY People : Say, wait you, Kamarade: Wherefore such a hurry? Wait, my demokratens. Demokrat : (Running ahead toward Berlin) I cannot, I am sorry. (Running without looking hack) I am going to Berlin, I can swear, — I am sore, To depose the Kaiser. People : Because he lost the war ! But say, you hypocrite, Leave your arms or I fire. Social Demokrat : (Throwing arms down) Don't shoot me, but the kaiser, Whom no longer I admire. He kept us out of peace. [96] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People : Because he loves you more. Social Demokrat: Just like your President, Who kept you out of war. We're going back to Berlin. Oh, Gott is still mit uns, My Vaterland is saved. . . . Shoot the kaiser and his sons ! . . . BLAMING AUTOCRATS And so it came to pass The social demokrats Put the blame for war On their autocrats. Act II (Demon and kaiser in the hower of Holland) Kaiser : (A fugitive) My Gott, our cause is lost. Demon : Not quite or not at all. [97] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Kaiser : I am a fugitive here, Not in the mirror's hall. Demon : It's a strategic move For the good of the Vaterland — See, if you are deposed And all your high command — Then your own demokrats Will meet a democrat — The President Wilson. Kaiser : Why, what do you mean by that? Demon : What do I mean by that? (Ending his explanation) They'll put the blame on you, For causing the great war To escape to pay the due. Kaiser : (Nodding his head in consent, then) But who will pay his cost For coming over here ? [98] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Demon : But he's a democrat, I 've said, didn 't you hear ? Act III DIPLOMATISM (Clemenceau and Lloyd George after the armistice was signed and hefore the peace conference) Lloyd George: My friend, I pray to God — Oh, we have won the war. . . . Clemenceau : My friend, France is saved — The kaiser is no more. Lloyd George: And Russia out of the way — And we have her ports yet. Clemenceau : They saved us from the kaiser — [99] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Lloyd George: The past we must forget. Now we shall get the loot. And then we'll make U. S. Thru a ''League of Nations" To guard our loot and us. Clemenceau : Do you think the Russ will be At our conf ernece, here ? Lloyd George: Kerensky's a waiter now- They've no one that we'd hear. BENEFICIARIES OF THE WORLD'S WAR All's well that ends well. The British and the French And the idle kings Have won the war on the bench. . . . The French and British took The kaiser's lands and ships, [100] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT The kings took what they could, Wilson enjoyed his trips. Japs took Eastern Asia And bolted off with that, And Russia became a prey To the proletariat. But the boys of Uncle Sam, By grace of democrats, ''Won" Sixty Dollars each To buy them suits and hats. WILSON'S FAILURE Wilson came in triumph At the peace conference But on coming home — was Without such preference. . . . Wilson's ''Fourteen Points" Were small for "demokrats". And did not satisfy The other diplomats. . . . And so it came to pass. His ' ' Fourteen Points ' ' were lost. Though we fought for nothing But we paid the war cost. [lOl] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Act IV ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BISMARCK (Spirit of Bismarck and the demon on the gallery at the peace con- ference in the Summer of 1918.) Spirit of Bismarck: I cannot suffer that, Such a degradation. . . . Our contract is broken, I want a reparation ! . . . Demon : Bismarck, it was your fault. Spirit of Bismarck: What, the fault was mine? Demon : Yes, kaiser was anointed By the unholy wine. . . . [102] PART SIX Act I (Scene of garden. Spring in full swing. People sitting under an oak tree on the 'bench, looking at the statue of Wberty.) LOVE Oh, my sweet Liberty, I shed my blood and tears Just for looking at you — So many days and years. . . . I fought England for you, I fought the Spaniard out, I fought the kaiser down And more I'll fight — no doubt. I love you, Liberty, I love your lips and eyes And if you were mine now I'd feel in paradise. . . . Liberty, I love you, Come down, and be my wife And we shall be happy Thru our eternal life. [105] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT COLUMBIA'S ROLE Columbia : (Appearing to People and pointing at liberty's statue) My boy, do you know her ? — I see, you are sincere. . . . People : But I believe in her. And she is to me so dear. . . . Columbia : All who loved her before, — From immemorial times, But just while courting her, They have committed crimes, Because they know her not. Now she's growing older And I want her to be The wife and the mother. But before the wedding We shall descend to hell To show you her lovers. People : With you am ready, well. [io6] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Act II CZAR NICHOLAS II (Our party on approaching the gorge of hades observed a house at the end of a small garden, where there was a man working about flowers) People : (Ashing the man on approaching him) Who is living in this house? (A man turns to the party and People exclaim to Columbia) My God, that is the czar, well, But, surely, I expected To see the czar in hell. Czar Nicholas: That is my own dwelling, My family and I Live in this little house. People : How's that you're here, why? INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Czar Nicholas: Didn't I suffer enough While on the Russian throne? . . People : "Well, it may be so, but It's a fault of your own. Where is the czarina? Czar Nicholas : She lives in the abyss. . . . People : Why, are you separated — That you can live in peace? Czar Nicholas: Oh, well, she visits me Here every other day. . . . (Czarina appearing from hell) Now she is coming here. . . . (To the party) Oh, no, don't go away. . . . [io8] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People : Why is she kept in hell? Czar Nicholas: For treachery, my friend. She helped the devil's cause And caused my rule to end. . . . People : But how did you escape From being down with her? Czar Nicholas: I loved her — all lovers — Exempt from hell, my sir. And because of my love Heaven granted her The right to visit me. . . . I am here a gardener. . . . (Czar as if in a dream) She died — a broken heart, But my son and daughters And myself were murdered By the band of robbers. [109] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People: (Taking leave from the czar) What's your message to men? Czar Nicholas: To love their own wives, Minding their own affairs, And hell won't take their lives. (Our party entered the gorge of hades and dis- appeared therein. Then the four daughters and son of the czar came and greeted the parents) Act III HADES — WHERE THE ADMIRERS OF LIBERTY LIVE (Scene of ordinary picture of hell, where all the provocating agitators are snakes. Saloon keep- ers are derelicts after the night before. Dis- honest hankers are shovelling a red hot gold. Bad wives and girls are running naked and hounded hy the leasts and reptiles of every de- scription. Old maids are turned into barren and dry trees, on the branches of which the gos- sipers are hung by their tongues. The crooked judges and lawyers and the fake doctors are the coockoos whose number is decreasing. All the [no] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT cheating profiteers are suffering a lose of one pound of flesh every day from the hands of Shylock, who is now their chief creditor and judge.) The King of Hades (People and Columbia went through the whole crowd unmolested physi- cally and approached the king of all the ghastly inhabitants) People : Who is that blackest chap? He looks like a kaiser. . . . Columbia : That is his own father, First Liberty's admirer. . . . He tried to free himself From God — to marry her, And now for that attempt He's such a character. . . . Demon: (To People) You took my love on earth, Therefore, I lost the war. . . . But you have profiteers And reds — 111 come once more. . . . [Ill] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Columbia : (To People) Keep your true love in you And he'll ne'er come out. People : (Excitedly) Oh, I'll furnish a home To each soldier — no doubt. Columbia : Not only to the soldiers — But to every one. . . . Then you'll marry Liberty * And he'll be left alone. The Kaiser Kjliser : (Appearing from the darkness and, on observing the visitors, half sur- prised takes a seat on his throne) Visitors from the earth. . . . People: (To Columbia) And this is the kaiser! He isn't so dashing here, He looks more a miser. [112] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT (To the kaiser) Your majesty of hell, What would your message be To your kins on earth ? . . . Would you tell it to me? Kaiser : Soon they shall follow me. . . , You see that row of thrones — These for the Norman kings. . . On my left — the little ones. (Directly to our party) My message to them all — To love your Liberty If sooner they desire To join my company. Would you send a message To your own Vaterland? Kaiser : To help the bolsheviks And crooks on every hand. . , And reform my old guard, And while the first two fight, [113] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT My old guard will appear And reconstruct my might. . . . (People and ColumMa on leaving the kaiser meet a crowd of h easts with human heads , veneraMy looking at him.) Act IV THE SUPERMEN People : (Surprisingly) Who are these strange monsters'? Columbia : Why, don't you recognize? . . . The kaiser 's generals ! People : Why they are in disguise. . . . Columbia : Those are the supermen, And they are themselves here^ In their real Vaterland, In their own shape and sphere. ["4] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People : (Looking at the leasts) And this is Hindenburg With the body of a bulldog. And this is Ludendorff With the body of a hog. . . . Columbia : (Taking People ly his hand and going farther) Now we shall see some more Admirers of Liberty, Who 're enjoying themselves In this society. . . . Act V OCTOPUS UBER ALLES (Our party has approached a cave with a sign on the entrance ''Octopus Tiber Alles") Columbia : Look at this — Von Tirpitz! . . . He is an octopus here, Eats the flesh of babies Without a shame or fear. [115] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People: (To Yon Tirpitz) You're thirsty on the seas And hungry here in hell. . . . Von Tirpitz: You cannot talk to me — I'm the kaiser's sentinel. Columbia : Oh, wait, my dear People, We shall meet some more And better freedom-lovers Than we met heretofore. Act VI LENINE'S END Columbia : (Pointing at the graveyard) And here suffers Lenine. He's borne by a red flame And every day and eve He is changing his name And hides from the others; The reason is simply this; E'en here in hades He is feeling an abyss. [ii6] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT He couldn't bring about The social revolution, Therefore, he'll have to flame While gradual evolution Is bringing poor and rich Closer to each other. . . . He made one revolution But he can't make another. People: (To Lenine) Why you failed to bring The social revolution All throughout the world, May I ask this question? Lenine : Yes, and I'll answer short: One hundred bolsheviks Contained: — sixty common fools, Thirty-nine mensheviks, Criminals and rabies, ONE — decent bolshevik ! Arithmetic decided Such a body politic. [117] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People : What helped you the most To gain your power there In the land of Russia? Lenine : Profiteers and hunger, sir. People : Why the devil failed you? Lenine : Oh, he failed flat himself To win love in U. S. — So you know that yourself. People : Tell me, Mr. Lenine, Was it bolshevism That did break Russia down ? Lenine : No, it was terrorism. . . . For bolshevism as such — The abolition of classes, [ii8] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Is but a communism — A ruling by the masses, Where there's no rich or poor, And gold's but an ornament-— Of no value to the owner, Where peace is permanent. . . Abolition of armies. Abolition of navies. Abolition of jails. Franchise of the ladies. . . . Freedom . . . equality . . . And fraternity . . . State to feed and care And state's maternity. People : (Cutting him short) Why, you don't have it In Russia established? Lenine : Bolshevism in Russia Stayed — a day and — ^vanished. . . . People : And here will be your end? [119] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT Leniiste : My dreams have flown away, And in this dreary place I am condemned to stay Till profiteers and hunger Shall create the unrest When the real bolshevism Will arise from its nests. (Our party leaves Lenine tvith a doubtful smile.) Act VII HOME OF TROTZKY (Scene of the gloomiest and dirtiest place in hell. Heterogeneous conglomeration of all sorts of heasts and reptiles, — the most vile, vulgar, igno- ble, cowardly, base, abject, sordid, sinful, vi- cious, degrading, predatory, provocating, abom- inable, odious, execrable, loathsome, and abhor- ring, repugnant to every senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. — Such was the picture before the eyes of our party. There our party [120] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT observed the chief of the premises coiling on the corpse of half dead and naked victims with the red flag posted over them on which is writ- ten: ''Bolshevism of Trotzky and Co.'') Act VII TROTZKY 'S GREED People : And this ghastly reptile ! . . . Columbia : A boa — ^with Trotzky 's head. . People : Why, venomous viper . . . Of whom you heard and read. . (Repugnantly) Such a malformation! . . . Columbia : He is hunting after gold, When he finds a bourgeoise — Either sex — young or old — [121] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT He simply swallows it And keeps the gold himself. In the name of freedom Even here he gets his pelf. (When our party were near Trotz- hy's head the reptile opened its jaws and was ready to swallow People, hut Columbia stood on guard of People and averted the crime.) Columbia: (To Trotzky) Behold, you red reptile, We are visitors here And not quite your subjects. Keep out and don't coil near. (People wanted to see yet the Japanese and Chinese potentates, hut Columbia informed People that they live in worse slums than that of Trotzky 's habitat, so they took the way out to the light.) Act VIII EPILOGUE (The same garden of roses from, which People and Columbia ivent to hades. God, because, of [122] INSIDE THE GREAT CONFLICT People's true love to Liberty returned her sight and made her a real being. Now we see them together happy — in love.) People : I love you, Liberty, E 'en after having seen Your suitors in hades, And I would have been Unhappy all my life Without being with you. Liberty : I love you, my dear People, And I'll be good and true. (People and Liberty kiss and God Himself appears) UoD : (Blessing People and Liberty) Love, honor and obey And you shall ever be Free, happy and in peace Through all eternity. (White angels appear and lay the laurels on the heads of lovers.) [123] m