Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
German Papers Astonished at
Growth of Peace idea.
COMMENT BY AN EDITOR
Prospect of Settling Bagdad Railway
Question PleaseS.
POLITICAL UNREST IN AUSTRIA
Serious Trouble Likely as Result of
Old Enmity Between Slavs
and Czechs.
Special Cablegram to Tho Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
BERLIN, April 15-The German press,
as whole. is greatly surprised at
the wonderfully rapid growth OF the
idea Of international arbitration, which
was generally ridiculed a few years
ago, when practically all agreed that
arbitration was for the small states
only and that the great powers OF the
world would never think of settling their
serious quarrels in any other way than
by force of arms.
Even our most militaristic papers now
admit that at time when America,
England and France have started diplo-
matte negotiations about arbitration treat
les this may mean the beginning OF the
end of the Importance Of the armies and
navies as the final arguments of nations.
The editor of one Of the leading Ber
lin dailies said the other day:
When England and France. a little
less than eight years ago, signed the
first arbitration treaty we saw in this
an event of some importance, but did not
think it possible that the jurisdiction of
arbitration could be extended any further
than in this treaty, which left all 1ues-
tions of national honor, vital interest or
independence to be settled in the old
great powers only a few years later
should be willing to make no exceptions
and submit all international quarrels to
q court of arbitration would have APP
peared to us all far too utopian thought
to deserve even a moments serious con-
sideration.
Doubted the Reports.
When the news came that President
Taft had suggested that even questions OF
national honor and vital interest ought
to be subject to arbitration. and that
England's minister Of foreign affairs. Sir
Edward Grey. and the French ambassa-
dor to Washington had Endorsed this sug-
gestion. / did not believe the reports to
be correct. But the important work
which the governments in Washington,
London and Paris have begun must. as
Sir Edward Grey SAYS, necessarily be sup
ported and carried forward on the wings
of strong public opinion in favor of
peace in every country in the world, and,
personally, think it will be a long time
before public opinion in Germany IN
dorses any universal arbitration idea.
Years are likely to pass before we SHAH
feel convinced that We shall be justified
in abolishing the army which has MADE
Germany strong and powerful.
This is the opinion OF an editor whose
whole heart is with the army and who
has served in three wars, IN 1854, 1866 and
1901, and one who understands his po-
0ltlOn. But ne Is WIOnS III Ills OplIiiOH VI
the German people, the great majority Of
whom will hail with JOY the disappear
ance Of the naval and military Moloch.
The prospect of settling the long-dis-
cussed question of the Bagdad railroad
has been greeted with great satisfaction
all over Germany, although many con-
slider Ii a mistake not to insist on better
terms than those which were offered
England eight years ago. Surely, Ger
many Is getting the better end of the
bargain, but it is felt that England should
have been made to pay for the many
years of unnecessary delay.
England Is a Loser.
England is to this extent a loser-that
she has lost the chance of sharing in
control Of the line from terminus to
terminus. and especially Of the very vaiu-
able branch to Alexandretta. This place
is regarded as destined to become Ger
man port under German administration,
where the future grain and cotton crops
Of Mesopotamia tnow a thrice blessed
word for the Germans) will be shipped to
German markets, and the manufactures
Of the fatherland will be unloaded prior
to distribution via the Bagdad railroad
over a Germanized Turkey-in-Asia. But
more important than this immediate gain
ID the fact that German progress in ORR
entail countries Is assured and that Brit
ish prestige and power will suffer in pro-
portion.
Emperor FSancis Joseph's empire is Gel
ebrating Easter under rather more than
usually confused political conditions and
a period of serious political unrest is
ahead. 1t Is the old hatred among the
Slavs and Czechs. for ages the curse OF
again caused a serious crisis, beginning
with a defeat fer the Czechs in spite OF
their tactical victory over the prime min
lister, Baron Bienerth.
Unable to overcome Czech obstruction
to the budget in the parliament, Baron
Bienerth did not resign the week before
last. as the Czechs had hoped, but he
prorogued the parliament and general
election is certain.
dissolution OF parliament has been
imminent for some time. The Czechs and
all parties belonging to the Slav union,
which always opposed Baron B.enerth be-
cause of his alliance with the Germans.
wished to create a popular platform Tor
q general election.
Decided to Obstruct Loan.
When the reichsrath reassembled after
the delegation had voted the expensive
"dreadnough," program the Czechs re-
the government for the first installment
of the ''dreadnoughts," and also the
vote on account fog the months OF April,
May and June. The Czech calculation
AND be replaced by q Slavophil ministry.
which would manage the election. or that
the government would be obliged TO dis
solve the chamber sooner than 1t intend
ed and without having obtained the loan
Ger the vote on account. These tactics
ere very popular in Bohemia, where the
Bienerth cabinet is disliked. The Ger
mans, on the contrary, applaud Baron
BieAerth for resisting Czech pressure, and
srs gratifed that the general election
VIII be managed by cabinet friendly to
the Germans.
The date of the election Is uncertain.
In parliamentary circles 1t is believed
that IL will take place In September, but
a postponement then will complicate the
financial situation and affect the chances
of the great military reform which Is
now contemplated. The position Of the
government Is very difficult, because the
first task OF the new parliament would
be the sanctioning OF new taxes against
which the opposition parties would have
agitated during the election campaign.
WILLIAM NJ. OLIN DEAD.
G. r