New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-27

Iry az q nero scrap OF pape".
What was this treaty which it V 3 proposed to
Chilly set aside? 1t was the guarantee Of the
neutrality Of Belgium, signed in 1888 confirmed
verbally and in writing by Bismarck in 1870 by
Prussia, France and Britain, each OF whom
pledged their word to observe and to enforce 1t.
On the strength Of it Belgium had relied for her
security against her formidable neighbors. o.
tire strength Of it also France had lavished all her
G2fences upon her eastern frontier and left her
northern exposed to attack. Britain had guar
nteed the treaty, and Britain could be relic
UPON. Now, on the first occasion of testing the
value Of hcr word, it was supposed that she would
regard the treaty as a worthless scrap Of papef,
and stand by unmoyed while the little state "hic'
Lad trusted her was flooded by the armies Of tho
invader. 1t was unthinkable, and yet the wise8t
brains Of Germany seem to have persuaded them
selves that .yc had sunk TO such depths Of COW
a,dly Incidence that even this might go through
Surely they also have been hypnotzed by those
foolish dreams of Britain's degeneration. from
which they will have so terrible awakening.
MATTER OF STRATEGY TO THE GERMANS;
A MATTER OF HONOR TO BRITISH.
Az matter of fact. the General staff had co.
81 cad Of the diplomatsts, and the German co..
umns we're already over the border while the POM
,r,.s bcinp debated at Berlin. There was no re
won't from the position which had been taken up
u. is TO us vital matter of strategy and Is pc
,,ond arg1ment" said the German soldier. ut IS
80 rs a vital matter of honor and is beyond argu
mont" answered the British statesman. Inc dc
,-as cast No compromise was possible NOulu
britain keep her word or would she not Ina
WIS the sole question at issue. Ana "haI ahS"e'
,.vo one could any Briton give to IL ! 90 not
believe" said our Prime Minister, that any hat'oh
Ger entered into great controversy VIII"
iearer conscience and stronger conviction mat H'
is lighting not for aggression, not lot lhe mar
tepance of its own selfish interest Out IN ueleh0'
..;ros the maintenance of VIII oh is vital t.
Il oi,iIization of the world" So he spoke ana
,;,.orv will indorse his words, for we surely nave
our quarrel Just ~ Id -. %
49, Now for a moment let US glance at "h"I
mo-, have to hope for, what we may have 10
soar and above all what we must each OF Us 40
hat we win through to a lasting peace
what have we to gain if we win? lhat we nave
rothing material to gain, no colonies ""'I"
oovst no possessions of any sort that we ues''''
"a the nal proof that the war mas not zee" p''
voked by us. No nation would dehOer"'eS
- its yav 70 wage so hazardous and costly
aio r,hsn there is no prize for victory. But
ono enormous indirect benefit We Will ghh
40 CON make Germany peaceful and harmless
state We will surely break her naval power al!
take such steps that it shall not be menace 70
MS any more. 1t was this naval power W,'H It's
amid increase and the need that We should ever
as Mr. Churchill has we'll expressed IT, ne
ready at our average moment to rect an a''aeA
81 their chosen mOment-it was This which mas
piIed up our war estimates during the last zen
Years until they have bowed us down win Suen
onorrous sums spent upon ships and guns @reat
masses of capital were diverted from ne Ordinary
channels OF trade, while an even more serio'S -