The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-08-06

TACT Indt OeTIudUy D ultlAuutuAi W
France has either been ignored or
rejected.
The explanation of this would ap-
pear to be that Germany and France
are each seeking to throw upon
the other the onus of beginning
the war. In fact. while the ma
tions of Europe are flying at each
others throats. they are vieing with
each other in protesting their de-
sire to maintain peace and they
repudiate the responsibility for
plunging the whole continent into
bloodshed.
In this remarkable situation
France. according to British opin-
ion, has the strongest justification.
She certainly was the last to mob
ilize and seems to have taken the
greatest precautions to avoid from
tier collisions.
On the other hand, Germany. in
addition to invading French terri
tory without making a formal dec
laration of war, has violated the
neutrality of Luxembourg and de-
clines to give any pledge to re-.
spect Belgian neutrality.
War by England against Germany
was decided on by the British CAD
| met on Monday. The decision was
said to be directly due to the Ger
man Emporer's disregard of Bel
gums neutrality. The British en-
bassador at Berlin demanded that
it be respected. Germany refused.
The most Germany was willing TO
concede to Belgium. the telegraphic
dispatches say. was to concede the
latter's neutrality if it would per-
nit German troops to use its rail-
roads in crossing Belgian territory
on teir oway to invade France.
The London dispatches further
stated that three German armies,
| including 22 corps and nearly 1OO,-
900 strong were advancing on
France on Monday.
The decision of the British cab
met to take part in the war. re-
moved the last of hope OF medita-
ton and engufs all the great Euro
pean powers in what promises TO
be a torrent of blood and devasta-
tion unquelled since the world be-
gan. oOtiAohhSoSs
tional passions, and race hatred and
prejudice are to have full sway.
1t is generally believed that such
widespread war which is now
on cannot last long. Famine may
become the most potent, compelling
agency for peace.
President Wilson on Monday sap-
pealed through the Washington
newspaper correspondents 10 the
press of the country not to publish
any sensational or unverified state
rnents. He declared that The In
tied States was prepared to meet
any financial situation which might
arise from the European war. In
founded newspaper reports. he said.
might cause unreasonable alarm.
The president told the correspond
ents that America could reap great
and lasting glory by seeing that
no one lost his head"
so far as this country Is con-
cerned," said President Wilson.
"the excitement is without cause.
There will be some temporary in
convenience to the money market.
exchanges and in the handling or
crops, but America is abolutely pre-
pared to meet the financial situa-
ton and straighten out everything
without difficulty"
The president urged calmness.
saying bankers and business men
everywhere were cooperating with
the administrations efforts to pre-
vent even the semblance of panic.
Il
The war news sent out from
European countries during the past
week makes peace-loving people
naturally ask what after all have
the peace conferences accomplished.
Little or nothing would be the
answer. In the present contrOver-
sizes Sir Edwin Gray. the British
| foreign secretary stands pre-emi-
nent among those who have work.
ed tirelessly for peace while other
European statesmen have been
bending their efforts in less
worthy direction.
g. In the case of a general European
war and the consequent lying up
of foreign shipping. it is probable
that the carrying on OF foreign
commerce will deyolve to great
extent on the AVnerican merchant
! marine. 1t is almost certain that
Europe will depend On the Pacific
Coast for food and general supplies,
as the big fleets of the world are
concentrated on the Atlantic, leav-
ing the Pacific comparatively free
for commerce. 1t is unlikely that
either English or German vessels
will venture forth with cargo un-
less the conditions become impera-
tive, while the American vessels
will be able to operate without fear
of seizure unless they are carrying
contraband goods, which probably
they would refuse to do unless af-
forded ample protection.
The order of the German kaiser
instructing all vessels of that ma
ton to seek the nearest neutral
l port and remain until further orders
will result in the detention on Pu-
get Sound of the steamship Sax
onie of the Hamburg-American
line, now at Tacoma. and the ship
Steinbek, loading at Bellingham.
The Kosmos liner Setos. from Sc
attic, sailed July 2S for Australia
with a large lumber cargo. 1t Is
tprobable that in compliance of the
kaiser's order, she will put into
Honolulu to remain until the ma
ture of her reception at the Eng
llish port can be determined.
Belgians. like the people of the