The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-30
CURRENT COMMENT
What They Would Be Fighting For.

A general war at this day of civiliza-
ton and enlightenment would be so pre-
Iposterous an anachronism that the peril
to many appears but nightmare. But
lit is real enough, though it may be
STAYED off again as in the past. Nor
is it due to a mere ebullition of blood
madness, as many think, who do not
inquire into the fundamental causes. In
each case there is a fear or a hope or a
lgrievance, strong enough to exert very
dangerous influence whenever trouble
arises.
/ An attempt has been made OF late
to prove that war is becoming impos-
sible because it does not pay, and be-
cause the world is becoming commercial
lied. Certainly international capital is
a powerful agency for peace, except when
! it happens to be interested in munitions
of war. But it seldom happens that the
issue of war or peace can be stated in
terms of dollars and cents, and in the
| present case, while sober business inter-
ests will work for peace, there are com
| plicating factors difficult to control.
None of the countries concerned is under
the illusion that war on so portentous
scale would pay" 1t is worth while.
then, TO consider what eonstrains each
OF the nations caught in this devils coil.
Austria would be fighting to crush
panSlavic agitation among her subjects,
and incidentally to extend Austrian dom
nation on the Balkan peninsula.
Servia would be fighting to resist sub
jugation by Austria, and incidentally to
release 100000 Serbs from Austrian
despotism.
Russia would be fighting to maintain
her prestige as head of the Slavic race,
and incidentally to establish Russian
hegemony in the near East.
Germany would be fighting to fulfil
her treaty obligations to her ally Aus
tria, and incidentally to cripple for
generation the rising power of Russia,
which is menace on the Baltic,
France would be fighting as the ally
Of Russia, and incidentally to recover the
lost provinces of Alsace- Lorraine.
England would be fighting to support
France and Russia in their effort to Grip
pie her naval rival Germany, and Incl.
dentally to preserve the balance of pow
er.
1t will be seen that the chain grows
weaker as it stretches out England and
Italy are not involved as deeply as the
powers at the center. Italy is member |
of the triple alliance, but Austria and
Germany have special treaty which
makes them on this question practically |
one power. England has cast in its for
tunes with the triple entente, but not I
irrevocably; there is no such nexus as
between France and Russia. France I
looks to Russia as a protection against |
the German menace; therefore. for France /
to fail in loyalty to Russia would be sui
eidal.
But till war actually comes, France
is free to work for peace, and its influ-
ence is now being cast on that side.
Equally against war are England and
Italy. and being semi-detached members
of the alliances, with no concern in the
immediate cause Of the war or in the
rivalry between Slav and Teuton, IL
would be natural for them 20 pair off
and remain neutral. Yet Italy could not
with equanimity see the eastern shore
Of the Adriatic including southern Al
bania, fall into the hands Of another
power, and might become involved ia
ease a great war should once start. Tn
der those conditions England, too. might
find il difficult 70 hold aloof In this
chain Of cause and effect lies the danger
that II war should once start. Il would
take in nearly the whole Of Europe /;
Springfield Mass Republican.