The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-21
TIE MYTH or MILITARISM.
Sad Futility OF the Hope for an Endless
European Peace.

shu tutility or the HOPE Tor an EndIess
European Peace.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir:
Were II conceded that tho present war Is
based primarily on material and economic
| causes, modern Tartuffery would receive
| vital blow. What Such a profound
disturbance as a war merely for material
| ends7 No. II civilization Is to be more
than a myth, war must have moral COM
pensations. Hence tho prevalent belief
that the war will put an end to militarism
in 1914 as an end was put TO Napoleon
Ism In 1915.
In tho soft leather editorial chairs sit
the men who derive moral valuations from
history. They deftly work their marion
cites and events are painted black and
white. II is 30 easy to delude ourselves
into the belief that militarisn, for ex-
ample Is willed by any personality or set
OF individuals. Given the nexus OF politl-
cal and economic relations in Europe. and
militarism and alliances follow as the lava
out OF the volcano. Given the unnatural
boundary, the artificial map of Europe
and no giant OF moral vision could allay
or repress the conflicting forces the rival
ries and clashing programmes which fill
the history OF tho nineteenth century.
These conflicts were caused, in turn, by
preceding struggles. just as the present
war carries In itself the seed OF future
conflict.
The people cruelty as easily as they
deify. 1t Is important TO analyzo the hys-
terioal attitude taken by peace loving per-
sons toward militarism. IL Is a common
tendency to select from a given situation
the most superficial fact. The most APP
parent and dramatic fact In the present
war Is Germanys superlatve military ma
chine. Militafism Ia the theatrical dress
In which we stage the German. He struts
mouths, Jabs In times of peace German
soldery eNcltes our envy. our desire for
glory But as soon as II becomes real
fighting force we draw back in horror.
The war shakes our faith in the reality of
moral progress whereat we indiot militar-
Ism. Miltarism must die IL Is curse.
a barbarism, strumpet seducing the null
titude
How did German mlitarsm develop
Primarily through the highly selfish and
immoral attitude OF Its neighbors. II
vas only by the sword that Germany was
enabled TO cement its units. to form a ma
ton. Years of Just pleading and diplo-
macy failed The programme OF blood
and iron accomplished the purpose. Ger
many united found itself in a critical geo.
graphical position. The national con-
sciousness taking form and acquiring a
purpose, Germany found 1t essential TO re-
tain by ornaments what was made posi-
bic by war From thenceforth Germany's
line OF development was marked out: the
assertion OF individuality In the arts OF
peace and the establishment OF an eff
Client lighting machine against the hostile
elements which every nation is sur
rounded by
What were those hostile elements in
Europe? First and foremost, the Balance
Of Power, an invention more destructive
than maximlte. designed to keep the Eu-
ropean Powers playing in the same key
music composed by the devil The smaller
-. a AwaN AA
self-sacrifce OF the bigger States. Was
there ever more Jesuitlcal device for TO-
menting quarrels? Repress the acquisi-
tive instincts of the strong and you add
keen edge to their desires
, or these smaller states the Balkans are
the most vital commercially and politi-
.cally. Lying In fertile region. command
Ing outlets to the sea, they are the key to
Austro-G German expansion on one side and
TO Russian domination on the other side
Russia, impeled by economic self-interest
and a race ideal, coquettes with the Bal
kans. playing on strings OF nationalism
Pan-Slav minuets. In that way she hopes
insidiously to stir the alien nationalities
living in Austria-lIungary. In 1905 Rus
.a's Oriental programme was shattered.
Turning to Europe to redeem lost prestige.
Russia bends all energies upon Pan
Slavic propaganda, releasing the hostility
OF a heterogeneous population, arousing
the disquiet OF Austria and putting Ger
many on the defensive. Sooner or later
the racial and economic problems arising
out OF the Balkan States had to bring on
general war. proving once and for all
that Europe had not yet acquired enough
seif-restraint to pipe in concert.
The entry OF England and France into
the struggle between Teuton and Slav -
an interesting chapter In psychology
France has 100000 900 francs invested
in Russia sovets lost provinces; has been
distrustful OF the mighty strides Germany
was making The hour OF revenge had
come. England snugly waits; perhaps OPP
portunity will also come. She has made
green eyes at Germanys commercial de-
velopment and her dreams have been
nightmares fearful Of the Teuton invasion.
She has serious affairs at home. affairs
that plainly mark the disntegrating ele-
ments In her body polite A war will
unite all factions She waits for the pre-
text; 1t comes. the violation OF Belgian
neutrality.
The result OF the war will, to a certain
extent, recast the map OF Europe whether
or not along lines insuring reasonably
long peace is doubtful. Natural bound
aries should be respected and national
units made autonomous. Whether this re-
suit can BE- procured for the Slavs through
a Russian victory Is a grave question.
Russia has already shown her efficiency
in denatlonalizing peoples, VIII not the
small Slav states find under her domina-
ton an intoerable political and economic
oppression? Is there not also warrant for
the belief that a victory for the allies
means English Russian domination OF Eu
rope and a vaster armament to maintain
such tremendous power? What hope Is
there for liberalism, for democracy. II the
two most ,mperiallstic countries control
the destiny OF the twentieth century?
Only the most incorriglble idealism can
see in these countries the forces OF a gem
eral moral advance.
ABRAHAM SOLOMON.
New York, October 20.