Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-06
what Will the tiarvest Boz,

Editor Democrat:
Now that the 90 long expected has 90
unexpectedly happened, and the power
full countries across the sea find them.
selves engaged In the most stupendous
contest the world has ever seen, 1t is not
strange that people not involved should
wish to look behind the veil for some In.
dication of what the future may have IN
store for Christian civilization. Not as
alarmisis or prophets of evil, bnt certain
1t is, that civilization must face the con.
sequences however terrible they may be.
True also 1t is, that no matter who wins,
great and important changes in the map
OF Europe will follow the close of this
trial Of strength. Changes of grave and
serious import to the business interests
OF the entire world.
When the clash of arms shall have
ceased, when the roar Of battle shall be
no longer heard, when the forces OF brute
strength shall cease from struggling, by
reason of exhaustion, then will begin a
battle Of the worlds keepest intellects
over the division of the spoils and the
marking of the new boundaries OF each
participant.
Inasmuch as this causeless and God
less war was precIpitated wholly by the
fear OF crowned heads that the world
wide agitation for broader and more
elastic freedom for mankind would grow
beyond control, we may be sure the first
step will be to blot forever from the map
those little states that have heretofore
secured some degree of freedom and in.
dependence for themselves. Should the
allies win, then great Russia will take
Servia under her wing as indemnity for
having saved her from an overwhelming
Austrian invasion. As a member of the
Czar's family Der activities can be more
readily controlled than IL left to herself,
aud the behavior of her children more
easily regulated II under the Immediate
observation of the "Little Father" and
the Holy Synod. And so under one pre-
text or another, all the little independent
bits of Europe will be incorporated into
the larger ones that survive the shock OF
OF all the powers engaged France has
the most to lose and nothing to gain. II
at the close of the war Germany is 10 a
position to dictate terms, she will be
stripped as naked az when she was born. |
In her war with Germany forty. four |
years ago, she was compelled to surren
der two of her fairest provinces and to !
pay q money indemnity that staggered |
tue faith Of the world in her ability to |
meet IL.
On the other band If she and her allies
win she will fare but little better. They |
are Of the Kingly sort, with an inherited,
hatred for republic, and |
though they war today, tomorrow they |
will agree that under no circumstances
can France be left In position 10 exer-
else commanding influence among the |
nations.
Aside fro m this, 1t goes without say
ing that the vanquished will suffer, while
the victors will take the lions share,
territorial or otherwise.
But while the monarchial governments
are striving in eager haste to destroy the
asst germ of free government every.
where, they ought not to forget that they
are inviting bondage or humiliation for
Away back of all this, its
clouds not yet in sight above
he horizon, its ominous mutterings as
yet scarcely heard, there is brewing
lem pest. compared with which the pres
ant conflict is a spripgtime shower. No
follower of Mahomet but has cherished
10 abiding faith that the sword Of the
Prophet should some day rule the world.
Once in the worlds history he came sur
prsingly near it. Sweeping over space
ike q devastating whirlwind, bis count
ess thousands poured through the passes
IF the Pyrenees on to the plains of Gaul.
All Europe stood parslyzed with fear,
only of making terms of peace,
not daring to resist lest failure bring ex-
termination. No terms were offered
other than to accept the faith of the
Prophet or the Prophets sword. Fail
ng to choose, all fighting men were
slain, the wives and daughters given over
10 victorious soldiery as rewards for
7alor. Every male child vas killed lest
IN time he WELD q Christian sword.
Every female child was destroyed lest In
lime she become the mother of Christian
warriors. Charles Martel alone OF
Europe's rulers, dared give battle, and
with his Christian knights, on the field
Of Poitiers crushed the hosts of Islam.
But the follower of Mahomet has not
forgotten. For twelve hundred years he
has vowed his vengeance and bided his
time. All these centuries the sword Of
the Prophet has reposed in it's sheath,
but its edge Is not dulled, nor yet is
1uenched its thirst for the blood Of the
dogs. 1t is case Of "watchful
waiting" that civilization has reason to
lear. The vast wealth, representing the
of centuries of Christian
is incentive enough for the
who follow the Crescent, and
Europe has exhausted her re-
sources to the last man and the last d o.
ar, the battered remnants OF her armies
IAN make no effective stand against the
warming hosts of Islam. Will history
repeat itself by bringing forward another
Attila the Hun to throw civilization
backward a thousand years?
In o,, ~