The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-29

New York, Sept. 2s.---One Of. the
most significant editorials of the
month on the European situation ap-
peared today in the Wall Street jour
nal 1t is entitled "A War for Peace.
1t Is as follows:
The greatest blessing that can be-
fall Germany Is defeat and disarrna-
ment. For her disarmament would
mean the dismantling of all the foru-
fications on both sides OF ner frontiers
and also a general European disarma-
nient.
Germany would then be unhamp-
cred by military strain and taxes, and
and free to re-enter more fully the
race in which she naturally belongs
The commercial race, in mining. man
ufacturing and shipping.
Her standard Of living and wages
would gradually rise and she would be
for all the world not only a great
producing, but one of the great con-
Stunning nations. On the other hand,
her military success over all Europe
would burden her with the mainte-
nance of a war machine and war
diplomacy which might In the end
be her total destruction.
Although official statements from
Washington ard elsewhere are that
II Is too, early to talk peace, sucn
declarations are not supported by the
facts From all sides it is conceded
that this Is war for peace. Ger
many says she Is fighting for the
! peace of Europe and that she has
had to maintain her war machines
and taxation to that end. England,
France and Russia likewise, each and
all. declare they are fighting for the
peacs of Europe and the world. and
that this desirable end can only be
a ttained by the destruction OF Ger
man militarisn.
Therefore, what Is there TO talk
about save peace--how best to attain
worldwide and lasting peace. and IN
what terms Of settlement Is this peace
to be expressed? -
II the thought of the world Is TO
avail anyt hing in this matter II must
he clarified by an intelligent discus
sion of the facts and factors bearing
upon the case.
No Dismcmberment OF Germany
Nobody really wishes the disme1n
,rrment of the German Empire, ana
vet there are foolish proposals that
GERMANY can only be held down as
a war power by ACKNOWLEDGMENT as
we'll as the destruction of the Prus-
eian military party and the house OF
Hohenzollern. Disme m berment would
mean the Gripping of Germany com
mercially. and thereby damage TO the
whole world. 1t might mean return
to old systems OF coinage and finance,
broken transportation, and unrelated
q, stems of traffics and taxes--a loss
70 the whole world of all 1t has gained
through German unity and German
commercial progress.
There are those who believe Austria
should be carved up. the northern part
m a<le a province of Germany run
cary re-estahlished. and Poland put
together again as an autonomy. While
some of the Slav parts OF Austria go
to make a greater Servia with CUTIE
at the Adriatic. But how far nave
americans proper knowledge 10 par
ticipate by discussion IN any sue'
tlement?
Take the case of Alsace-Lorraine,
that looks so simple. The bitterness
over Alsace- Lorraine does not come
from those countries. 1t comes from
he contending nations either side OF
II. For centuries Aisace-Lorraihe
have been alternately German ana
French, and for the most part Ger
man. If 1t was a crime to make II
German forty years ago. would IL not
he a crime today to attempt 10 make
II French after 1t has become iargeiy
German? Germany has improved the
TRANSFORMATION, the highways. the IN
dustries, and the wages and economic
conditions in Alsace-Lorraine. ASK
q ,most any man from Alsace-Iorra1ne
how those provinces would vote II tney
could have free choice, and he VIII
tell YOU they would vote to be mae
nendent like Switzerland; but III TINS
we're impossible they would preIe.
German rule and administration.
How Ia America to enter into any
sueh discussion as respects details OF
settlement?
American Principles.
Some people believe that II the Al
les are successful Belgium should not
only be paid full damage. but douoie
indemnity, ard France should get
hack her billion dollar indemnity OF
1871 with compound interest,
This Is Just where American prin-
ciples of fair play and rule for the
ueople by the people can properly
come in with a most proper discussion
Of terms Of peace.
These American principles should
he continually discussed and continu-
aliy nut before the world. Perhaps
they may be primarily formulated as
fellows:
First-The government belongs 70
the people, and not the people 70 the
government This primarily a1Iecls
the disposition OF Alsace-Lorraine. nut
Second--Larger units IN nationahty
facilitate the exchanges and inter. |
course Of the people with the ieast
barriers, and. therefore, favor the !
highest individual development; ano
Individual freedom and development |
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