The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-08-08
Germany Against Europe.


If Germany two weeks ago had
foreseen her present predicament, it
is unlikely that the War of the Pow
ers would have begun. Her aggres-
sive conduct has within few days
arrayed against her, actually or po-
tontially, nearly all the nations of
Europe, and has placed her to some
extent under the moral disapproval
of the rest of the world. The cam
paign upon which she has entered
with such a precipitation and vigor
will be waged at a tremendous dis
advantage. Her task is one for a
national Hercules. Beset by enemies
on all sides save One she must &C
complish the seemingly impolsdible
and emerge the master Of Europe, or
suffer destruction. Few we'll in
formed persons question the super
iority Of her army over that of any
other Power. But can that match
less fighting machine crush the arm
les Of a continent? Whatever may
be Germany's regrets, however, at
this moment, for her rashness and
her bungling diplomacy, she asks for
no sympathy. And she is fortunate
in her confidence and pride; for un-
prejudiced Americans have had much
of their natural friendliness for the
Fatherland alienated by the convic-
tion that she is largely responsible
for stupendous crime against civ
ilization. If Germany wins, might
will have made right. If she loses,
it will be retribution for a world
wrong, that she might at least have
prevented. The blood of the hun
dreds of thousands who will fall in
this struggle will be first of all, on
the head of the Emperor and the bu-
reaucrats of Austria-Hungary who
made wanton war upon Servia well
knowing that it must almost newt
ably provoke larger conflict. But
it is impossible to believe that Aus
tria-Hungary~ took the fatal step1
without assurance of Germany's suppl
port. The world expects little of
the Hapsburgs and the diplomatic
schemers of the court of Vienna; it /
expected much of the German emper?
or and the German nation Ger
many, in supporting her Austrian
ally in her attack on Servia, appears
to have believed that Russia would
not dare to come to Seryia'd aid.
When Russian mobilization began,
German statesmen hesitated, know
ing that war with Russia meant war
with France. and probably with Great
Britain. Then, finding Russia in
flexible, in sudden fit of anger, DIS
it appears, they drew the sword and
defed the world Subsequent events
must have been, on the whole, Bit
terly disappointing to Germany.
Italy has refused to help her allies,
eXcusing herself because of their ag-
erosion. Italy could not help them
II she would, for the italian army
would revolt rather than fight for
hated Austria, their old oppressor
and present rival. And SO if Italy
is drawn into the war it will prob
ably be to strengthen the Triple En-
tente, joining Britain, France and
Russia against the triple Alliance"
now become dual On every side
Germany faces difficulties that will
menace her after her first bold on
slaught. Austria already seems
broken reed. Nearly bankrupt when
she began hostilities, with her med
ley of people lacking unanimity,
with hostile racial elements at home
and in the field, she has made little
progress against the small, weak Ser
Wan army, and must now turn 70