Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-08-29
OFFICIAL STATES
ENCLAND'S POSITION
Says "It is the Old Struggle of 100
Years Ago Against Napoleon II
Praises Germans but Condemns
Policies.
By william G. Shepherd.

granted me an interview on the subject
of the European war.
On being asked concerning its cause
he handed me the celebrated "white
paper" on Foreign Minister Sir Edward
Grey's negotiations, saying:
"Oh, there is our case-and all we
ask Of the American people is that they
should study it with severe, impartial
attention.
then asked him what was the under
lying cause, apart from the actual steps
which led to the rupture. He replied,
in effect, that the war was started
and was being maintained by the Prus-
sian military aristocracy, which set no
limits to its ambition for worldwide
predominance.
Issue Is the Same.
"ln word ne said, sit is the
old struggle of 100 years ago against
Napoleon. The grouping of the forces
is different; the circumstances are diff
ferent; the occasion is different; man,
above all, is different-happily-
the issue is the same. We are at grips
with Prussian militarsm. England
stands right in the path of this ever
growing power.
Our military force is perhaps small,
but 1t is good, and it will grow; our
naval and financial resources are con-
siderable; and with these we stand be-
tween this mighty army and dominion
which would certainly net be ccntent
with European mits.
Asked whether the end of the war
would sec some abatement of the strug-
gle of armaments, he replied
THAT depends on the result. If we
succeed, and if, as result of our vic
tory, Europe is re-arranged as far as
possible with regard to the principle of
nationality and inaecordance with the
wishes of the peoples who dwell in the
various disputed areas, we may look
forward with hope to a great relaxation
and easement.
What German Victory Means.
But If Germany wins, it will not
be a victory of the quiet, sober, com.
mereial elements in Germany, nor of
the common people Of Germany, with all
their virtues, but victory of the blood
and iron military school whose doe.
trines and principles will then have
received a supreme and terrible vindi-
cation.
-" | cannot understand why Germany
has not been contented with her won
derful progress since the battle of
Waterloo For the last half century
she has been the center of Europe:
eourted by many; feared by many;
treated with Difference by all. No coun-
Try has had such reign of prosperity
and splendor.
Yet all this time she has been dis
contented; solicitous of admiration.
careless of international law, worship.
ping force, and giving us all the under.
stand that her triumphs in the past and
her power in the present were little
compared with what she sought in the
future.
Now the great collision has come.
and It is well that the democratic ma.
tlons OF the world-nations | mean.
where the people own the government
ana not the government the people
should realize what is at stake.
Clash Of Horns.
: The French, the English. the Amer.
lean systems Of government by ponular
e,eetlon and parliamentary debate, with
the kind of civilization which flows
from such institutions, are brought into
ulrect conflict with the highly efficient
lmperialist bureaucracy and military or.
ganization of Prussia.
Ihat is the issue. No partisanship
Is required to make it plain. No ho-
Phlstry can obscure 1t. -
asked whether the democracy of
america, apart from the moral issues
involved, had any direct interest in the
result of the war.
ou are the judges Of that he
.ePhed. You do not require me to
saik to you of your interests.
The Ultimate Result.
=, IL England were to be reduced in
this war or another which would he
sure to follow from it, if this war
We're inconclusive, to the position Of a
smal country like Holland, then, how
ever, far across salt water your coun-
,ry may lie, the burden which we are
pearng now would fall upon your
ohOuluerS.
- DO not mean by that, that Ger
many would attack you, or that. N YOU
were attacked, you would need to fear
.ne result so far as the United states
concerned. The Monroe doctrine.
SSowsver, So.,, has carried you very far. in
south as well as in North America. and
~ likely tnht victorious German
.a,lllssarlsm, .anls which would then have shat
,r,o ,eaea france irretrovocably, have con
duored Belgium and have broken for
i.aeIs sef 'ne power of England, would allow
atseii aS ~ 70 be permanently cut off from
da,.nip da n1pes OF that oversee expansion and
ooevelopment with which south America
alone can supply it
low, the impact is on us. Our
plood, which flows in your veins sbould
ssa ssaa you to expect that we shall be
Isuooorn p,aa enough to bear that impact.
= we 60 down and are swept in
'o ene past, you are next in line.
..r, War Of Systems.
os ms war is for us war of honor.
va aspect for obligations into which
fr;enSs nsse entered and Of loyalty toward
mona nll.lsh democracy, with its limited
"A'eny, its ancient parliament, its