The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-09-10
TeutOn and Slav.

The German-American Central
Verein of Spokane has a press COM
mittee. AS a member of this COM
mittee, II. S. Suksdorf says that 10
get at the real cause of the great
European war now in progress 1t
IS necessary to look to the national
racial, religious and economical
movements of the great masses
which are certain to cross each
others path and come to clash.
He declares that as between Ger
many and England the causes are
purely commercial.
Germany has of late enjoyed a
phenomenal development of indus
try, commerce and wealth. This has
excited envy, Jealousy and fear 10
high degree in England. Great
Britain, having enjoyed for genera
ions an undisputed predominance
in the worlds trade and finances,
breads and hates the rising rival
and determines by all means, fair
n unfair, to destroy him, so that
she again may be the unchallenged
mistress of sea and land That is
the only cause of friction between
these kindred peoples. In view of
the fact that England has subject
ed hundreds of weak, independent
tribes and nations to her control, it
L, ludicrous and futile cant when
she Dretends to draw her sword for
the independence of weak nations.
France is actuated solely by an
insane thirst for revenge for Sedan,
and the loss of Alsace and Lorraine.
1t is a pipe dream. an ignoble mo-
live for war. but she frankly adj
mits it. AS a truth these prov
inces, which are more than four
fifths German, were ruthlessly torn
from Germany by Louis XIV. and
in 1870 restored to the rightful
owner. The control of a bit of
territory in western Lorraine, peo-
pied with perhaps 100000 French
men, is the only source of disa-
greement between these two ma
tions. The generous restoration of
this to France and the Punishment
by the French people of all desire
of conquest of German territory
would remove all cause for hostil-
ity and make the two nations good
neighbors and even friends.
Germany was entirely peaceful,
sought no conquest and desired only
to develop her industry, her COM
merce and the arts of civilization.
THE causes of conflict between
Germany on one side and France
and England on the other are ma
tional; those between Germany and
Russia are racial. 1t is a struggle
for supremacy in Europe between
the TeutOn under the championship
of Germany and the Slav under the
leadership of Russia. That is The
real issue to be decided by this
universal appeal to arms. Much,
very much, is at stake for the Two
races. for civilization. for humanity.
Continuing Mr.. Suksdorf says.
Our civilization is the Joint pro-
duct of Teuton. Latin and CeIt
Opposed to them is the great Slavic
race of eastern Europe. 1t differs
radically from the Teutonic, Latin
and Celtic races in type. character,
ability and aspirations. 1t is very
and extends over the vast
region between the Arctic
ocean and the Adriatic and Aegean
seas, and between the German
frontier and the Pacific. 1t has not
yet grown homogeneous. 1t is a
vast conglomerate in which Tartar.
Mongolia, Hellenic, Illyrian, Latin
and Teutonic fragments are loosely
united by the cement of despotic
power and kindred languages. 1t
is far more Asiastic than European.