The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-07-24
EDITORIAL COMMENT
An Ominous Situation,

winnipeg Telegram: The report
that Russia has been appealed to to
pacify the Balkan states renders the
situation in Europe more dangerous
than it has been for a long time. The
only ways in which Russia could paci-
fy these people, would be- either the
method employed by Caesar, reported
by him in three words, which remain
the most laconic description of whole
sale butchery the world has ever seen,
or by establishing a protectorate gov
erned by Russian policy and maintain
ed by Russian arms.
From an abstract point Of view,
probably the best solution would be a
Russian pr~otectorate over these peo-
ples, and a British protectorate over
what is left of Turkey, to the extent
at least Of saying, Hands off the Grip
pie" But, unfortunately, things are
not ruled by distractions. If they
were, every philosopher would be
making a bright new world about once
a week.
Great Britain Is the greatest Moham-
medan power in. the world. She can
not afford TO permit a Slavonie
domination of -Constantinople. The
Turks have taken their beating in q
way that commands respect, the others
have celebrated their victory in a way
that earns contempt. There is such a
thing in a runner as getting his second
wind, and it would be an idle man
who would wager at the present mo-
ment that Turkey is not still a factor
In the game.
The British Empire of Russia have
a thoroughly good understanding be-
tween themselves, thanks very large
ly to our late king, the great peace
maker. "~Russophobe," as a word, has
gone out of use in our language. Thus
an arrangement of the kind indicated
could be made with ease so far as
Russia and the empire are concerned
The trouble, however, lies in this
that the whole fabric of Austria with
its huge Slavonic population, would
be menaced by what would be virtual
ly a Russian frontier. Furthermore
Germany's desire for commercial ex-
pansion in the east, through the Bag
dad railway, would be nipped in the
bud. These are the reasons why the
concert Of Europe made such q com
plete failure in settling things. There
was nc concert, only discord.
1t is really distressing to hear the
screeching of those who at n no
ment are bowling about disarmament,
and the next bewailing the horrors of
war actually in existence. The only
thing which can keep the peace is
&C., SONS1 z W y So1lSIuC1 d.
tons. The British Empire is the po-
liceman of the world. We have to take
the shame hat we weakened the force,
But not for long, let us hope.
Relapse of the Shoshones.
New York Sun: Nobody need be
surprised to learn that the Shoshone
Indians, gathered in Elko county
Nebraska, to celebrate the good hunt
ing, have abandoned their triba,
dances and reverted to the steps noW
fashionable among the white brethren
The change is appropriate and inevita-
BILE. The Indian is no more proof
against relapse into savagery than is
the superior race.
The tribal dances of the Shoshones
were the fruit Of a considerable ad.
n toward civilization. The claI
had abandoned the most primitive
steps and posturings, substituting fol
them measures involving a notable
degree of art. These more nearly re.
rembled the Virginia reel OF the white
man than any dance whose namt
would mean anything to the presen'
generation. They combined a FINE
symbolism and a true art, requiring
earnest application for it's mastering
and real skill in its performance.
That these intricate and interesting
dances should prove less attractive tt
the young braves than the turkey trot
the bunny hug and their offshoots
which call for neither grace nor skill
was natural. The choice meant only
the discarding of an acquired char,
acteristic and a return to a lower form
of ancestral diversion. The white mar
had done it; there was nothing to hole
the red man to the higher standard
We have great sympathy and respec
for the Indians, but we have never
seriously believed the. Shoshones to bt
superiorgto the cream of Caueasial
civilization.