New-York tribune., 1914-11-29

tics and history.
Cco7,rlsht 1914. by ;. q. susN)
The war I'm which Europe is now en-
gagged has been represented by some
prominent spokesmcn of Germany ss a
conflict between TCutonic and Slsvonic
civilization. SlavOuic civilization IS de-
scrihed as the "NuScOvite barbsrism
Of "Asiatic" Russia. and tho inference
Is drawn that Great Britain and France,
in cooperating with Russia. arc be
traying the cause Of enlightenment and
progress for which Germany IS con-
tending.
The object OF these stages is 10 show.
in the first place that even II The de
scriptiou Of Russian civilization as bar
barous were justified. Germany IS the
last country I'm the world whose pre-
yiou- relations with Russia give her the
right TO denounce others for co-operat-
inC with Russia. and. in the second
place. that certain specific features OF
German civilization IN the political
sphere are. IN principle. as tunde-
mentally opposed 20 ideas for which
Frenchmeu and Br.tons, Americans and
Italians would be ready TO lay down
their lives. as are the specific features
o. Russian autOcracy. IL VIII appear
incidentally that the actual issues be
tween Teuton and Slav are perfectly
definite political interests.
will begin by brief review Of the
political relations Of the Russian En-
rirc with Prussia 20 whose hegemony
the German states intrusted their dcS-
;inies in 1870. For the present pur-
pose it is unnecessary 20 90 further
back than 1872. but what happened then
hes direct bearing on the present
situation. Al that time Russia was
ruled by a German lady. the Empress
catherine II. and Prussia by her kins-
man. Frederick thc Great who made
his country a first rate power. At this
lime the territory OF the Prussian state
was not continuous. on one side there
was a large block. consisting OF Bran
ocnburg. Pomerania And the recently
acquired Slesia. To the east. beyond
The Nistula. there was East Prussia.
rom which the sovereicns derived the
title OF King of Prussia" Between
these two blocks, reaching 10 the sea,
stretched the Kingdom of Poland.
Prussia Cuts Into Poland.
I, is obvious that for the consolida-
tion Of the Prussian state no terri
torial ACQUISITION was more desirable
than the Polish lands which separated
hast Prussia from Pomerania and
Snesia Frederick made the proposal
20 Catherine that they should increase
their territories az Poland's expense:
Austria came in as q .hird accomploe,
and IN l772 the first dismemDerment OF
Poland gave Prussia the necessary ter
ritorial continuity between her sun
Gcred possessions. The example Of
Fredcrck was followed by his sue
cCssors Two subsequent partitions
With Russia. 1893. with Russia ana
Austria. 1885, obliterated Poland from
the map ana extended the borders oi
Prussia east OF Warsaw.
Il would not be over the mark %
cali these proceedings high handed;
much stronger terms have generally
been used. So far as the first dismem-
berment is concerned. Frederick might
plead that Il Prussia, 10 use the mod
crn phrase. was TO have her place ia
the sun. the possession Of Northern
Poland was a political necessity. and
that the rights of weak state could
rot be allowed 10 stand in the way.
The later spOllations can hardly be COW
cred by the same plea. But whatever
may be thought Of the transactions,
this cooperation by which Prussia Sc
cured for part Of unwilling Poland
the blessings OF German rule and de-
'MuscOvite barbarism,' was destined 70
prove the basis OF further cooperation
and intimacy between the governments
of St Petersburg aud Berlin.
Little need be said OF the humI lat
ing years when Napoleon was gaining
The mastery Of Germany and Prussia s
hopes were centred IN Russian support
ln 1905 the Prussian King. learning
that the French were marching on tho
Danube. flung himself into the arms OF
The Car. and In the following year he
wrote: "He Napoleon intends 10 de-
stroy me. VIII YOU look on with in
difference o" II was due 10 the Cars
intercession At Tibet that Prussia was
permitted TO retain Silesia.
The Treaty of Vienna.
BY the Treaty of Vienna .ls15)
Prussia recovered only part OF the
Polish spoils which Napoleon had com
pelled her to relinquish. They were
The most important West Prussia and
posen. The revival Of an independent
Polish kingdom, under French auspices,
though Of bricf duration, had reir-
yigorated the patriotic hopes of the
Poles. and for long time 10 come the
extinction Of these national aspirations
was TO he one Of the most serious tasks
ngasinS The rulers OF Prussia and
Russia.
Up TO the present time 10 mas been a
leading problem OF Prussian domestic
policy 20 Germanizc the Polish prov
inces by strengthening the German
population there and impressing Ger
man ideas on the Poles. at is the
problem" says the ex-Chancellor.
Prince Won Bulow, con the solution and
development Of which the immediate
future OF our country depends" And
10 Is problem which was one OF the
governing motives of Prussia in her re-
lGtious with Russia throughout the
rineteenth century.
The note was struck 10 1890. Till
then Prussia tried the experiment Of a
liberal policy toward her Polish sub
iects. There was q Provincial Diet i'm
Poseu. Of which the members we're
elected by the people, and there was a
Polish Governor, as well as PrusSisn
President This policy, however, did
rot conciliatc the Poles 20 Pruss ian
rnlc. and when Russian Poland re-
bcllcd. in 1890. the rebels found sup
port among their cOmpatrlots beyonC
The Prussian border. The solidarity of
The interests OF the TWO powers against
Polish movement OF independence
was thus demonstrated.
Austrian interest, were similarly at
fccted. and an agreement was cOnclud-
ed. AT Munchengratz, IN 1888, between
4 1.