The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1914-12-27

7s+tN.e.s-f
a lew years ago when real es-
tate agents from Alberta and other
provinces of Western Canada came
into the United States and persuad-
ed the farmers OF this country to go
int Canada and develop the great
waste lands the farmers thought it
was a grand opportunity. But
since last August there has been
much foreboding on the part OF
these American-Can
Canada claims to be almost indie
pendent. She makes her own laws.
collects her own revende. supports
her own military and naval forces.
and expels Hlndoos when the Eng
lish Government insists they be
permitted TO enter the Dominion.
But when 1t comes to war Canada
ls only colony belonging to the
British Empire. She recognizes
George as King and follows the
nag of England into Europe.
Canadian law does not permit of
compulsory military service, but in
case of necessity the law could be
changed. Then these farmers in
Canada could be conscripted.
Although they were taught in the
public schools to dislike England
they would find themselves forced to
fight for the crown.
The same is true of the Austral-
lans. South Africans. New Zealand
ers and other semi-independent
States flying the flag of Great Brit
: ian. They are pouring their sons
into the Empire to be sacrificed on
the fields Of Europe. In South Az
RIGA they are fighting with the
Beers and are fighting the Germans
of the German African colonies.
These Colonials have no resentment
against a certain Servian student
who killed the Crown Prince of
Austria.
Yet these men find themselves
shooting at each other because they
happen to live on the wrong side of
the colonial boudary. In America
a similar condition existed more
than 100 years ago. England and
France went to war. therefore the
English and French colonials had
to sacrifice their lives in battles In
America. The French were driven
out of Canada and England was
given the territory. History Is re-
peating itself in Africa. One side
or the other must yield.
Never in the history Of the world
have SO many peoples been drawn
together under the same flag in bat
tie array as in this present conflict.
Rome drew her soldiers from Brit
ain. Gaul. Belgium. Spain, Carthage.
Persia and even Egypt. But today
England draws her soldiers from
every continent and every cline.
Troops wearing the colors OF Great
Britain come from Egypt, 1ndin.
South Africa, America and the
islands Of the sea. She has Joined
these troops to those of the Allies
OF Europe and half the world Is
now battling for the supremacy of
Europe and a good deal of the rest
OF the world.
That geography is the basis of the
greatness Of Great Britain, and that
the great national ability to save
and conserve the earnings OF CEN,
turtles that has resulted from its
geographic position stands 1t in
good stead In these days of trial is
the conclusion of DIR. Roland G.
Usher. who has just prepared for the
National Geographic Society OF
Washington a study of the factors
that have made the tight little
isle" across the channel from Con-
tinental Europe far greater power
than its area and natural resources
would bespeak.
I'VE must not lose sight of the
fact" says DR.. Usher. that the
strategical geography of Europe has
given the English advantages OF
position which were more impor-
tant In the past than great armies:
that the English Channel was, in
the days of sailing ships, a more
effective barrier against invasion
than any army could have been.
Tho strategical importance of Bel
GUM and Holland, too. vital to
England. was fortunately also vital
to Germany and France. The En-
glish have never, single handed.
been able to keep either France or
Germany out of those countries in
time Of war; but they have. some
play on France against Germany,
or Germany against France, and in
the long run keep them both out of
Belgium and Holland. England has
protected itself by arousing the fear
of others, and 1t must be admitted
that Germany in Belgium threatens
Paris q good deal more effectively
than It does London, and that Louis
XIV in Holland was even more dis
tasteful to the German States on the
Rhine than he was to the English"
DR.. Usher calls attention to the
fact that England has never
known. since William the Norman
harried Yorkshire. such ravaging by
armies and consequent economic
Ioss as continued in Europe for GEN.