New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-15
Fatherland's Apathy Con-
trasted with French
Eagerness by Tourist.
STORM TOO GREAT
TO CONTINUE LONG
Kaiser's People in Debt to
World, Which Cannot Allow
Complete Annihilation.

Lack Of enthusiasm among Germans
and an abundant supply OF patriotism
among Frenchmen are among the man
features of the European war, accord
ing to S. w. Gebo, coal operator VINO
returned a few days ago from Tour
months business trip abroad.
-Four weeks ago." he said, the po-
litical and financial sky Of Europe. was
as clear as it possibly could be. Not
rumor of impending trouble TO disturb
the markets of the world. The peasants
were intent on gathering the rich har-
vests which q good season had prom
ised them.
"When Austria sent its ultimatdm 70
Servia," continued Mr.. Gebo, Europe
awaited a reply with interest and
curiosity. | can truthfully say that !
do not believe a single person OF any
consequence in England, France, Ger
many or Belgium had the remotest idea
that the sending Of that ultimatum
would lead to the greatest var that
Europe-or, in fact, the world has
ever known. | was motoring from
Homburg to Bonn, on my way 10 Brus-
sells, when we received our first intma-
ton that Germany had declared war
German army officer appeared in the
various towns we passed through with
a list of the names of the rescrvists,
who were almost stupetief 20 learn that
a war had been declared or was brew
ing. OF course, they had 10 course 10
pursue but to go. Enthusiasm was
lacking. They knew they had to night
for the Kaiser and the Fatherland, and
would fight, but knew not wherefore.
mo doubt, in the larger cities, like
Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Leipslc, etc,
with their daily newspapers, the reel
ing was intense, as have since
learned. But even in those cities 1t
could not compare with that grim de-
termination that characterized the
French when they learned that Ger
many had declared war against them
'On to Berlni' is heard on all sides,
probably inspired by the German IN
vasion Of Paris in 1870. they say mat
time heals wounds, but not even eter-
nitv could heal the wound Germany
gave France when she took from the
latter Alsace-Lorraine."
"What. in your opinion, is the real
cause of the present trouble IN bu-
rope ?" Mr.. Gebo was asked. =,
"There are two or three reasons,
he replied. "In the first place, Europe
for the last forty years has been
great battlefield, the various nations
representing, so to speak, armed camps.
The cost of the upkeep for the arma-
ment has been terrific, and, of course,
the burden fell, as usual, on the shoul-
ders of the peasants. The rulers real
lied that this condition could not keep
up much longer. In other words, they
would have to come to a showdown,
and the Austrian declaration OF war
against Servia was as good an excuse
as any other.
"Then, again, the political pots IN
almost every country in Europe were
boiling to the danger point. You can
not mention a single European nation
of any consequence that did not have
on its hands serious internal troubles
of its own. The only way these trou-
bles could be settled and the trouble
makers welded together into a united
people was by the cry Of TO arms!
Our country is in dangern Thirdly,
Germany, by reason of her scientific
advancement, shrewd business acumen
and business methods, had been tread
ing on the commercial corns OF Eng
land and France, and at the first sign
of a fight they did not even stop to
ask. as did the Irshman in the story,
whether this was a private fight, or
whether any one could take hand"
what do you think will be the ulti-
mate outcome of this war ?" was the
next question.
well" answered Mr.. Gebo slowly,
Germany has something up her sleeve
which few people are aware of. All
that she is to-day she has accomplished
on borrowed money, and German paper
is held by almost every financial in
stitution in the world. Germany can
not and will not be wiped off the map.
The very powers that are fighting her
will not permit it.
Great storms" said Mr.. Gebo in
conclusion, "never last long; and this
is the greatest storm that has swept
the earth. There is so much at stake
that a speedy settlement is bound to
result"