TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1914-09-23
America, Umpire of Europe,
Should Not Become Partisan!

4 the London newspapers The steps
leading to the starting Of the war, &C.
cording to this symposium were these.
Austria, without consulting Ger
many, makes a dozen demands of Ser.
via touching the slaV termont In
southern Austria, OF which the murder
Of the crown prince and princess Is
merely the eliminating incident. Ser.
via. needing Russian and English eoun.
sells OF moderation, yields 10 all these
demands except two. and agrees 10
submit the two to impartial arhitra.
tors. Austria declares war. Russia
urges on Austria and Servia that they
restrict military operations as much as
possible. in hope that the controversy
may yet be settled by other means
Austria, fearing the Pan-slav move
ment, replies by breaking of diplo
matte relations with Russia.
Russia appeals 10 Germany to use
its influence with Austria, rs ally. The
kaiser. complying, sends word TO Aus
tria that unless diplomatic relations
with Russia arc resumed he will not
support Austria in any trouble that
may follow. Austria's answer is the
resumption OF diplomatic relations
with Russia.
"That was the night OF the 3Oth. On
the morning Of the 31st representa-
tiyes Of the military party rushed 70
the kaiser with a copy OF the Rus
sian general mobilization order. In a
country like Russia a general mob
ilization order is almost tantamount
TO a declaration Of war. When the
kaiser saw this. issued on the very
day on which he had interceded with
his ally at Russia's request, he vas
sent for the chiefs OF his army and
almost beside himself with rage. He
said to them: The situation is now
in your hands. Go ahead
Diplomacy proceeded for a day
or two, but Of course II was hopeless
as between Russia and Germany, II
is interesting, however, to note Ger.
many's o~vertures for British neutral
ity. They are shown significantly in
communication No. 1923 Of the White
Paper. The White Paper has been
summarized In the British press, but
all reference to letter No. 1923 has
been omitted. This letter is from Sir
Edward Grey to the British ambassa-
dor in Berlin. II r~eeounts that Prince
Liehnowski, the German ambassador
In London, asked Sir Edward II Eng.
land would remain neutral provided
| Germany guaranteed the neutrality Of
Belgium and the integrity Of France
and her provinces. Sir Edward replied
the British government was not ready
to commit itself to any policy. Baron
L~ichnowski then pressed Sir Edward
TO formulate any terms IN which
Great Britain would be willing to re.
main neutral. Sir Edward replied that
he could not tie his hands.
~These details are worth knowing
in America, as indicating that the
right is not all on one side. There is
no need for Americans to take sides
on this matter. Indeed, it is highly
important that they should not devel-
op preiudices. In the direction Of i'm.
Partially lie Americas %self-interest
and also the possibility of one of the
largest services she has given to civ
ilization.
when the war is over. America
should exert her full influence to see
that the beaten party. whichever 1t is.
lis not forced into humiliating terms.
II Germany or England we're crushed,
it would be a disaster TO the whole
world. But neither people can be
crushed by such means. Look at the
Germans in Napoleon's time, beaten,
their country dismembered. The dls-
aster simply stifened their military
spirit. From that beaten people came
the armies that whipped the French
in 1870. Crushing terms were imposed
F, again-and what have we now!
The danger is in attempting to
crush out a nation. II humiliating
terms are imposed on Germany, re.
vanche!' will become its motto in turn
as it has been that of France. Europe
will be worse off than ever for a solu.
ton of its armament problem, and
more wars will be waiting. The role
Of the United States should be to in.
sist that civilization will not stand for
these foolhardy attempts to break up
nationalities through war"