South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-07
GERNLANY,s BIG TASK.

What we have said as 10 the effort
OF German success in defeating the
allies and capturing Paris in the first
campaign OF the war is confirmed by
the official announcement that the
members OF the triple entente have
signed a formal agreement for better
or worse and will stand together to
the end. accepting nothing for either
that the other does not share
The tightening of the bonds of un-
Outstanding between Great Britain,
France and Russia signifies that each
and all of these nations recognize
Germany as the inveterate foe Of their
people and their governments but of
the autonomy and liberty Of Europe as
a whole. The entente OF itself was
merely an unwFitten understanding
that under certain conditions these
countries should be friendly TO each
other and that France and Russia
should support each other against any
nation hostile 10 either. Great Brit
ain was not so closely bound. Her
allegiance was 10 be moral rather
than militant. There was nothing in
the agreement compelling Great Brit
ain TO take up arms under any cir
cumstance. The British were drawn
into this war through their guarantee
TO Belgium.
Belgium has a coast line that has
long been coveted by Germany Ii
would give the German empire the
outlet and inlet 10 ocean commerce
and naval activity which is sadly lack
ing in Germanys present facilities. In
cidentaily the possession of this coast
line would give Germany a club to
hold over Great Britain. 1t would
make the two nations rivals on the
sea and give Germany "A great COM
mercial advantage. This is why Great
Britain guarantees Belgium against
interference with her possession Of
the coast and why Great Britain aided
by France through a sense of graf
itude and justice will recompense Bel
GUM for all damage done by Germany.
In this manner the war with Ger
many has been made a common cause
with the English and French and also
witS Russia. The situation has been
forced upon them by Germanys ag-
gressiveness What was before a YER
bal understanding is now a written
agreement, an absolute alliance. with
each party pledged to cooperate in
war as we'll as in politics. This makes
the strongest alliance that could be
forme3 N Europe. leaving Germany
out O.. consideration. and it claims to
be fighting for right and to 'vanquish
the eneiay ~io threatens the whole
world"
Ii has been demonstrated this early
in the war that France is no match
physically for the great German war
machine that has been steadily and
rapidly advancing toward Paris Rus
STA has great superiority Of numbers,
but might be defeated by the swift
moving German machine before ready
10 make an adequate defense. Great
Britain has exposed her unprepared-
ness. but is constituted 10 rally it's
forces while taking punishment. Her
available military resources are small
er than those OF Germany
Germany has succeeded thus far by
speed, superior numbers and equip
ment She may carry it to the extent
OF capturing Paris or even farther
but the new alliance means that her
struggle for supremacy will then but
Lave just begun. The combined mill
tary ard naval resources Of three Of
the most powerful nations in Europe
are to be pitted against her in unlimit-
ed combat with every advantage OF
food and military supplies in their IA
vor. and the war is 10 De fought 10 the
bitter end.
There will be no weakening OF the
allies by coercing or coaxing one OF
them 10 cease fighting or desert The
compact is made and Germany must
win. IL she wins at all by conquering
Great Britain. France and Russia com
bined.