The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1914-11-05
FRONTIERS OF OLD WORLD
AND NEW

If they were not so deeply engrossed
just now in the work of mutual butch
cry, we would invite the warning nations
of the continent of Europe to contem-
plate the following very significant
facts. says the Scientific American
First, that here, on the continent OF
America, the two greatest nations OF
the world have a common frontier,
which extends, unbroken, for some four
thousand miles.
Second, that throughout the whole vast
reach of it there is not to be found,
on either side, single fortifcation, or
any offensive of defensive military work
of amy kind whatsoever
Third, that leading to, crossing 1t. or
running parallel with this frontier, there
does not exist a single so called military
railway-every line of railway commune
cation having been built with a single
eye to the development Of the natural
resources of the two countries, and the
mutual exchange of the products OF
peaceful industry.
Fourth, that In spite of the fact that
this far-flung frontier was the eventual
outcome of a fierce and bloody war. and
that these two powerful nations have az
ways been engaged in keen commercial
iNdiTy, tHey nave Deen content 10 leave
their frontier in this totally undefend-
ed condition, and have lived as perfect
ly amicable neighbors for the past one
hundred years
Except for the slight custom house
delay at the border. there Is absolute
ly nothing that suggests to the travel
err be he British or Americ IN, that he
has crossed the line which marks his
10 70
country.
But let the American take ship to
Europe and commence his travels of
leisure and curiosity. Everywhere he
finds the frontier lines emphasized by
enormous forts which are themselves
interconnected by chains of lesser re-
doubts and intrenchments, the whole
work being insistent and obtrusiye.
and presenting forbidding aspect OF
antagonism and defiance. Nowhere at
the frontiers will he see the signs or
hear the notes of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
his eye will catch the CLINT of the bayo-
net, or his ear will note the call of
the bubble and the tramp of armed men.
Furthermore. study of the railway
map OF Europe reveals the fact that
other considerations than those of in
dustry and commerce have determined
the direction and the grouping OF the
railroads of central and western Europe
1t Is a fact, we'll understood, even
outside of the war colleges of Europe,
that military necessities have received
the first consideration in the laying out
Of the railroad systems that have been
built since the days of Bismarck and |
the formation of the German empire |
When railroads radiate by the score to |
the frontier of so-called friendly |
state, and when for all purposes of COM
merce they seem to end there, their |
meaning is plain. Taken together and |
with the frowning forts which sit asst |
ride their most important functions and |
meeting places, they constitute per- |
manent menace to the friendly state
across the border, and they serve to
smother, even at it's very birth, any
growth of that spirit of peace on earth
good will toward men," of which the
four thousand miles of undefended from
tier on the Canadian border, and the
one hundred years of unbroken peace be
tween the United States and Great
Britain, give such noble and endur-
Ing expression.