The Washington herald., 1914-10-25
BY JOHN JAY DAILY.

In this city. the capital OF the one great
nation in the world not entangled in the
maze OF warfare. one hears many rea-
sons why the colossal struggle is now
going on in Europe.
Here, where there are social representa-
tives OF every nation on the globe. II Is
not difficult TO find out who started the
war why It began. where II will end,
and when. They have theories OF their
own, these diplomats. and all OF them
know the outcome.
You can get all sides OF the argument
in Washington. And what you hear will
be the unvarnished views OF the most
highly educated body OF men IN the
few brighter or more clever people than
the diplomats.
What is more, Q diplomat knows what
he is talking OF, whom he is talking for.
and when to talk. He must know to
whom he is talking.
For. be 1t understood. diplomats are
hesitant about talking for publication.
1ncurring the wrath OF those higher up
is ever a whip over the diplomatic head.
On the present war. however. the
diplomats have much to say. From
them we will find out all about the sit
uation. For, be it remembered, news
from the front 10 being received here
in Washington every day. It comes
through the terrible veil of censorship
and hides itself again in the dark
recesses of embassies and legations.
That 10 why the diplomats know
whereof they speak.
After talking with several Of these
gentlemen, the writer is able to present
some opinions that come straight from
diplomatic circles. In the following
symposium, which Is made as brief as
possible. there will be no mention of
diplomatic names. That would be
violation OF confidence.
Nevertheless, the following will sum
I'D in true fashion just what the mem
bers OF the diplomatic corps think
about the conflict and its eontrioutory
causes:
First, the German side OF the auss-
ton.
The German representatives will tell
YOU the Kaiser had nothing to do with
starting the war; that II Is q defensive
war on the part Of Germany. The Ger
mans are fighting for the preservation
Of their homes, their civilization and
their country.
OF course. they say. the Kaiser did
have a scheme for a greater Germany.
and this may have rubbed against the
grain Of other nations He believed that
German influence should be extended
through the Balkans to the AEGEAN Sea.
an-Germanism they call it.
Control Of the Belgian and Dutch har-
bors was also embodied in this scehme.
Also the Kaiser meant to develop the
colonies of Germany the world over Ger
man supremacy on the sea, by building
up a great merchant marine was in the
formula, and the diplomats say that
other nations became fearful OF Ger
manys development. Hence the war.
Because of this great ambition on the
part of the German Kaiser, all the
nations Of Continental Europe grew sus-
picious of Germany. All the nations ex-
cept Austria-Hungary. She was Isolated
from the sympathies OF other nations.
The other nations, knowing also the
Kaiser's unbending belief in the divine
right Of kings, and fearing his power.
were naturally opposed to his far-reach-
ing scheme Of development. While
Austria Hungary stood out with Ger
many against all the others the Triple
Entente felt all along that Austria was
simply the puppet Of Germany and was
playing Gerrnanys game in the Balkans.
From a Russian viewpoint: According
to the diplomats, Russia hopes some day
to reach the open sea on the Scandina-
Wan peninsula. Further, Russia wants
to own or control the Balkans; thereby
gaining access to the Mediterranean and