TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1914-12-24

disarmed by her foes she will cease I,
be a nation, and fall an easy prey X
her numerous foes. This is fully under
stood by all Germans and shey will
insist upon an army adequate to theil
defence, no matter what new form OF
government might be introduced, and
the cause which makes Germany bristle
with bayonets arose not from any fight,
ing propensities OF the German nation
but from the attitude Of her surround
ing hostile neighbors. After the Franco
German war It was TO be expected that
France would not abide by the issue OF
that war but bend every effort to re-
gain Alsace-L Lorraine, and she made no
attempt to conceal her intention. The
French army was thoroughly reorgan-
ized and enlarged, which compelled Ger.
many, not Prussia, to look after her
guns. The second enlargement Of the
German army occurred in 1884 when
Russia assembled large army after
Germany had refused the demand OF
the Car Alexander ii. to remain neu.
trail in the war he contemplated
against Austria TO recover his domin-
alton over the Balkan countries which
he lost by the decree Of the Berlin con.
ference, summoned after the war be-
tween Russia and Turkey, at the re-
quest OF England which had sent large
navy to the Mediterranean TO tear up
the treaty of San stefano by which
Turkey, defeated in the battle OF
Plevna, had yielded her sovereignty in
the Balkans to Russia and had placed
Constantinopel within the grasp OF the
Gar. The third augmentation OF the
German army was necessitated by the
war in the Balkans two years ago, by
which Russia had regained her ascendan-
cy over the Balkan nations. which were
greatly strengthened by the annexation
OF the entire Turkish territory in En-
rcpe. II is, therefore, demonstrable
fslsehood to say that Germany created
large army with an intent Of conquest.
1t was brought about by the historical
events just described. The same reason
of selfdefense dictated the extension OF
Gormany's naval power. She had, by
assiduously cnltivating the arts of
peace, developed an oversee commerce,
second only to that of England. To
defend that commerce she provided q
navy, which was far inferior to that Of
the United States. The moment she
laid the kcels for her new ships, the cry
arose in England that Germany men
aced British sea power and England be-
gan To construct super dreadnougbts by
the dozen. The hostile intent of Eng
land and her desire to crush Germany
became obvious. The English shipping
interest incensed By observing that Ger
many became q competitor In ocean
transportation and the wrath OF the
manufacturing interests who saw Ger
man goods invade their markets called
necessarily for more ships which de-
mnnd was readily complied with by the
English government, so that war with
Germany to wipe ont her growing sea
commerce was only question OF time.
II became unavoidable when Edward
VII. Joined the Franco. Russian alliance.
The measures OF selfdefense which Ger
many was thus compelled 10 provide
for. are attributed to 'Prussian mill.
tarism". We have, we believe, demon.
strated the hollowness and the hypo-
crisy Of this silly war cry, and IL is TO
be hoped that the American nation will
not allow themselves TO be prejudiced
against Germany by the attempt OF
English writer's and their American,
TO brand the German nation
as possessed with ruthless lust OF
conquest when it 10 evident that their
preparations were purely def
rnsiye measures and TO secure the peace
under which tho German nation thrived
and flourished, which excited the admir-
alton OF the world and the envy Of
England.