TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-11-25


the others are willing to allow. An
understanding could be reached on con-
ditions that are not hopeless. The pro-
position would be this, that England
sever her connection with her allies and
Join the German alliance, to which the
United States should also be party,
and that they announce the following
principles; All annexations must hence
forth cease, together with those fruitful
causes OF war that go by the Disgusting
name OF spheres Of influence, pacific
penetration and all other similar subter-
fuges that are merely preliminaries to
annexation.
II such a peace confederacy had been
in existence on the first OF August 1914
it is easy to see that the present fearful
war could not have occurred, for the
fundamental cause OF the war was
Russias mania for expansion. Her aim
was and is this day to crush Austria
in order to build up an invineible world
empire by joining all Slavic nations
under the sceptre OF the Car and to
fortify her position in Europe, as well
as to prepare for the conquest OF all
Asia by the capture Of Constantinopel.
Such confederacy OF nations as we
have mentioned could have overawed
Russia to such an extent that she would
not have dared to precipitate the pres
ent war.
Why this simple method OF insuring
everlasting peace which would also have
made partial disarmament possible was
not adopted Is explained by the above
mentioned reason that the nations
allied with Russia had the same desire
10 change the present status OF power.
Frances object IS to regain the lost
provinces Of Alsatia. Lorraine and Eng
lands object is to suppress the rising
sea commerce and sea power OF Ger
many. This leaves no other expedient
but to fight the war to finish so that
Germany and Austria who we're forced
into the war to defend their rights and
TO save their very existence may obtain
a position which will enable them TO
resist their implacable foes. What Is
required to achieve this end, the war
that is now going on plainly demon
strates. Germany must be able TO foil
Englands attempt to block her way to
the ocean, for ocean commerce Ii indis'
pensable 10 Gernanys economic life
This can be only accomplished by Ger
many's annexation Of the Belgian and
French coast up 10 Calais which will
have to be supplemented by navy
strong enough 70 cope with Engiands
naval strength. Austrias necessity is
free and untrammeled way to the
Aegean sea, which requires the annex
alton OF a corresponding part OF sersia
This is the indispt nsable condition &c
peace, and in view Of the sacrifices
which the German allies have to undergo
to beat off their enemies. these demands
appear very modest, and We should not
be surprised IL more were asked,
But we are not so much concerned
with the views Of Mr.. Sehifi as to how
the war ought and could be terminated
since they are utterly impractible, as
with the fear that he entertains from
Germany when she triumphs over her
enemies. He says.
The German character is not only
self.reliant, which Is admirable, but IL
readily becomes domineering, partic
ularly when in the aseendeney. In the
role of a world conqueror Germany
would be a world dietator-would IN
dulge in u domination which would bs
almost unbearable 10 almost every
other nation. Particularly would thii
be the case in respect to her relations
with the United States, a nation with
which she has always had and always
must have intimate trade and com
mercial relations.
This is wild and inconsistent talk. i
as Mr.. schiff says, Germany always hat
and always must have intimate trad'
and commercial relations with the Uni
ted States, this must certainly ensur'
amicable relations between the tws
countries. A nation that has ever,
motive, as Mr.. schiff himself points out
to be on good terms with our countr!
will surely not think or even attempt q
do anything that has q tendency &
disrupt these good terms. Moreove
Germany is a power with which VI
could cope II she should develop hostil'
intentions, for the reason that she ha
not a single basis Of operations on thi
continent Hence 1t stands to reasoi
that she cannot bring over enough mel
to oyerwhelm the United States. w
even make bold enough TO say. that ou
country by her natural position, beinI
bulwarked by mighty oceans need no
fear an invasion from any European
country or any European coalition o
powers. The danger lies in another di
rection. Mr.. schiff, as an experiences
business man and as diligent studen