The Washington times., 1914-08-25
THE WORLDS CAPITAL.

literal sense, tie worlds capital. 1t
is the one Capital of a first-class
power not engaged in the war. To
it have turned nearly all the COM
batting nations, for diplombatic rep
resentation and the good Offices Of
the disinterested friend. At Berlin
the American ambassador speaks for
Tokyo; at Tokyo the American AM
oassador is looking after German ir-
terests. Japan's declaration of war
on Germany was delivered to the
American State Department, and it
forwarded the notification to the
world.
Germany being almost isolated
from the rest of the world by the
seizure of telegraph and cable lines
by her enemies, communications be-
tween Germany and the other coun-
tries must be made physically. as
well as automatically, through the
Urited States. The great wireless
stations at Sayville and Tuckerton
have suddenly assumed vast i'm
portance, because they maintain the
touch between Germany and the
world at large. 1t is for Washing
ton to decide to what extent its neu-
traiity will permit the use of these
establishments for diplomatic and
military purposes.
Washington, in short, is the nerve
center through which all the world
is seeing, hearing, feeling, commune
eating, negotiating. 1t is almost GER
tain that when peace negotiations
shall be initiated, they will start
from the tender of good Offices made
by President Wilson. None of the
wairing powers is ready 10 accept
the tender as yet; but none has
placed itself in position of IL
revocably refusing. All have indi-
Gated their appreciation of the prof
fer, and their hope that it may later
be Of value.
Here in Washington, it is to be
hoped, will sit the great concourse
of the worlds great diplomatic
plenipotentiaries who will undertake
the preparation Of the most difficult
and important peace pact ever made
among the nations.
Looking back to the DAYS when
Arlerica still lived up to its early
| ideal of complete immunity from the
cnlangiements of European affairs,
it is tc smile at those hopes and as
pirations for quiet, secluded nook
in which we might be forgotten by
the rest of the throng. 1t was pref
ty cream, but an impossible one.
America could no more escape its
destiny and it's responsibilities than
it could cut off the currents of popu-
iation, power, and prosperity that
have set toward it's shores frem the
day when it set up this greatest ex-
pertinent in government of the reo-
pie. for the people, by the people.
We have nothing to lose, rather
much TO gain, through the burdens
that will be laid at our hospitable
door throughout this struggle.
Rightly accepted, this is the oppor-
tunity to win a place unique among
the powers of the earth. The very
fact that we are powerful, pcaceahle,
and Independent enough to be the
one great power excluded from the
worlds war, marks Us as tremen-
dously fortunate and superior. That
fact will lie more and more appre-
ciated as the contest continues, and
as the time approaches for making
d new modus vivendi among the ma
tions. Our peaceable purposes and
self consciousness that we
dare to be the advocates Of peace
because we are conscious of oar pow
er Of self-protecti"n, will make a
profound Impression IN all the world
and will give character and color to
the great readjustment Of relations
that must follow this eataclysm.