The Washington herald., 1914-10-04

self-defense against spollation and an
Inhalation, attempted by two Western
powers, she is also fighting for her very
existence and her life against Slav do
minion threatened by Russia II she
succumbs against the one side or the
other. her splendid civilization. embody-
ing the highest achievements of educa-
ton, art, and science, will in either event
be trampled under foot by the Cossack.
1t can be truthfully said, therefore. that
not only is Germany fighting the battle
of civilization, but also that the war
forced upon her by a European conspir-
acy is, on her part, for the loftiest pur-
pose for which war can be waged, and
the only one for which ii ought to be
waged-for self-preservation.
This brings me TO England's pretext
for Joining hands with darkest Russia
against her natural Teutonic brother.
says, and that is the only excuse she
gives for venturing the slaughter of her
sons. Poor Tommy Atkins,
Seriously, has England ever hesitated
to tear treaties into shreds when II suited
her purpose to do so? The Belgian neu-
trality treaty was negotiated when Eng
land and France were still enemies, and
Great Britain secured It for her own pro-
lection and not that OF little Belgium.
that agreement no longer exist. and II
might well be argued that this fact rem
dered IT nugatory.
ASIDE from the foregoing fact, why
should Germany. with her very life at
stake, adhere to such a treaty when
France did not? According to authentic
reports. Belgium q short time ago was
invaded by fifty French officers in ar
mored automobiles for the purpose Of in
-
invasion. That was q plain breach OF
neutrality. and the Belgian government
itself was guilty OF a treaty violation for
failing to arrest those officers, as the
treaty specifically required. England
knew this full well. So did Germany. OF
course, the whole of Europe knew that
IL Germany were ever compelled to fight
France her march to Paris would lead
via Belgium. In the present instance,
with Germany fighting for her very life
against overwhelming odds, her advance
through Belgium territory appears justi-
ned as a plain act Of self-defense.
As soon as the Gar, a few months
ago, got his new war loan Of 0.000, 900
Financed by France) he was ready for
the fray. Wires leading from St Peters
burg to Servia were pulled, and We know
the rest. Investigation OF the double
murder in Vienna reveals the fact that
eighteen Servian conspirators were par
ticipants; that the Servian government
knew Of the plot, and Servian officials
expedited it. The Austrian government.
knowing the murder was only one of the
results Of this Slav agitation, which had
for its object the destruction OF the
dual monarchy. had no honorable alter
native but to hand its ultimatum. When
Russia made the cause of Servia her own
and refused to listen to peace overtures,
the dies were cast.
THE Kaiser and his people are abso-
lutely one heart and one soul in this
war for the preservation of the father
land. The Emperor has acted merely as
the nations agent, carrying out its will.
II the temper Of the German people Is
not entirely misjudged, he would have
endangered his crown had he acted other
wise.
Copyright. 1911. By John ]. DaEJ