New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-24
SCHUCKINC BLAMES
RUSSIA FOR WAR
Admits, However, That
Mistakes of German Pol
lev Embittered France.

Edwin D. Mead. Of Boston, a prom
inent worker in the peace movement
has made public a letter from PROBES,
sor Walther Schucking, who is well
known in England and America Tor ms
writings on the Hague conferences and
international subjects. Professor
Schucking puts the blame for the war
on Russia, but mentions what he con-
siders mistakes in German policy which
tended to embitter France. The letter
follows:
"The true causes of the war are. III
my judgment, as follows: Kant said
long ego that all governments must be
responsible in order that peace may be
secured. The Russian government ls
still autocratic, and the breach Of the
peace arose there. Incapable of cult
ural activities, Russia follows persis-
tently a policy Of conquest, following
the example of European Turkey. Aus
tria was to be divided up by means OF
a connection between Russia and the
Balkans. and Russia demanded from
Germany practically that she should
allow Austria to 90 TO pieces. Con-
corning this proposal the great Pan
Slavist, Won Hartwick, the recently de-
ceased Russian Ambassador in Bel
grade. spoke quite openly TO member
Of the diplomatic corps personally
known to me. The future OF Austria
Hungary was the sole conflict OF inter-
est between Russia and Germany. Ger
many could not allow her sole reliable
ally. a great power under German lead
eiship. TO be destroyed. In taking this
stand Germany represented the inter-
est of civilization and morality.
Russia Was Prepared.
"Lorg before the assassination al
Saraievo, well informed people in Dip
lomatic circles and in journalism main
tanned that a war between Russia and
Germany was to be feared for this rea-
son, and that Russia was making prep
arations for this war. The ScrajevO al
fair and the sharp ultimatum TO Servia
only served TO start the stone rolling.
Whether Russia would have really
threatened war against Austria and
Germany on account Of this affair had
she not been sure of the support Of the
Western powers, seems 10 Inc question
able. but since it could count Upon this
support Russia lighted the torch of
war. This is the opinion of all German
paC,rists.
France Sure of England.
"If we ask ourselves. however, why
the Western powers support Czarism,
the answer is more difficult. 1t is GER
tain that in France the revsnche idea
has never entirely died out. More and
more it was in the process of being eN-
tinguished but since 1904, unfortunate
ly, wavering. contradictory German
policy in the Morocco question had the
effect of embittering feeling in France
II was felt there that France was hu
inflated and threatened and could no
longer believe in the desire Of our gov
eminent to keep the peace. Naturally
the unwise attitude Of Germany in the
Hague peace conferences contributed
greatly TO this unfortunate result, but
the worst effect Of all was produced by
the German ornaments. The proyerb,
"Tf you wish for peace prepare for
war" has suffered an absolute ship
wreck. On account of the Russian peril
we carried through in the spring of
1913 an enormous increase of the army;
and this was considered in France,
sgain, as only another threat. The
three years service was adopted by
France as a counter measure, and found
&c be unbearable there. France chained
itself more tightly together with Russia
end risked everything on the plan of a
common war in order to free itself
from the pressure of the German alps
of ornaments"