The sun., 1914-09-13

allies? That Germany could have pre-
vented the war is unauestioned. but al
sacrifice they were unwilling TO make.
And the same may be equally truly said
Of Russia and England ! am not an
unmitigated armirer of the Kaiser nor
a worshipper OF the shrine OF Imperialism.
But for that very rea son II appears to
me that Russia is an even greater danger
than Germany, for German Imperialism
has created a sense of contentment and
fair play in its people which has caused
( them to rise to a man in support of their
Kaiser. Can the same be said of Russia
or England? OF France II IL unquestion-
ably true. And have the Americans for
gotten that the England which claims to
stand for democracy and enlightenment is
the ally Of Rcssia, Servia and Japan?
And that this same England but recently
trampled the helpless Egyptians and
Beers ruthlessly under foot? And that
Frances actions in Morocco were no more
admirable and less excusable than Ger
many's violation OF the Belgian neutral
| ity? And that Japan's entrance into the
war was uncallea for and even an outrage
to justice?
We are country who pride ourselves
on our sense OF justice and fair play.
We are called on to give judgment
which must do us credit before the world
| and before posterity. And yet ] see
only one side OF the question represented.
And Why Because England has Isolated
/ Germany by cutting the cable so that she
can speak not only for herself but for her
rivals also She has been in position to
| flood America with the emotionallsm
which too greatly colors all Judgments in
such a time of stress. And not only has
she given us this In regard to herself but
she has increasingly reported German
atrocities which are known by all VINO
were IN Germany. and officially certified
! by representatives Of our newspapers. 10
| he untrue. She has thus created an emo
! tional sentiment I'm her favor which Ger
many could not respond to. And the di-
, rect connection by wireless has only been
established after Englands work was
done.
The crossing Of Belgium meant a tech
| meal advantage too great TO be over
! looked AT such a time. Nice moral is-
sues must give way when the destnies
of races are at stake. Moreover. Eng
land refused TO declare that she would
remain neutral on this question and Sir
/ Edward Grey even refused to dictate
the terms Of England's neutrality. Ger
many would indeed have been In a sorry
plight had she foregone the tactical ad-
vantage Of crossing Belgium and. never.
theless, found herself confronted by Eng
land. She counted the odds and decided
not to risk IT, She certainly had nc
reason for counting on England.
l. ! often hear II said that II was Ger
! many's armament aud constant state o
| preparedness which was the direct cause
OF the war. Germany evidently was full,
prepared, but why overlook the fact tina
France and Russia were not behind hand
Why not point to the constant nurturinS
of the revenge idea in France, to hel
recent increase OF the term Of service
to the immensely increased English navy
to her Jealousy Of German commerce
and TO the rapid extension of Russian
railroads toward the borders Of German'
and AustrlaH In the name of commoi
sense how can We single out one sid
as the cause and the other as merely
necessary effect when each was so evl
IDENTIFY AT once the cause and effect o
the other?
II Ia vital that we shall rid ourselve
, OF all emotion IN judging the issue AM
understanding our position, for our in
tcrests also are heavily az stake. Shoul'
Germany win dccisively aud he in a posi-
/, ton TO strike at US our only recours
would be TO increased armaments o.
the other hand. should Russia becom
dominant IN Europe through tho exhaus
ton OF Germany aad France and Japa
he materially strengthened In the Eas
we would be In no less perilous position
For us \ continued balance of power !
| highly desirable. II We must choos,
let US not he deceived into thinking tina
the choice f. between democratic En-
land and imperialistiC Germany. but lie
us see plainly that the dominant powe
o' the allies in the future Is autocrati
Russia. OSWALD W. kNAUTH.
PRINCETON, y !.