The Tupelo journal., 1914-09-04

Blenheim,
Nov tell us all about the war,
And what they killed each other for,
is still being repeated. In view of the terrible struggle now COINS
on in Belgium. close to the battlefield Of Waterloo, people are ask
ing each other what it all means and why England should star
from her island home to add to the European con1agration? a
writer in the London Times has given us several reasons why Eng
land was forced into the struggle. England has been IN danger
for a long time from her isolation, and it is only when she has
had the opportunity of vindicating her place as a great power
among the countries of Europe. The London Times states the
condition of things as follows:
The first principle Of all British foreign policy is recognition Re artn
of the fact that England, though an island, forms part OF Europe.
Forgetfulness OF this simple fact has in the past had disastrous
consequences. Without reverting to the war Of 1916, when Eng
land, by abandoning France to her fate, allowed nr Q pe alsnemt
bered, and has ever since paid the cost in the GROWING, burden OF
. saion bed by a Grsat Brsai Il !, at q t6e snd Il ot tRe s sou sths AFRICAN sns war a r
The policy of the late Lord Salisbury had been one OF splendid $50
laHon., When disaster overlook us in South Africa we were Win
out a friend OF the continent, and were only sayeo from atSach p ny
Ia European coalition because the emperor OF Russia decnned. TO
formed an ifs%uperable obstacle to military and naval cooperation
asainst US by Germany and France.
The policy of splendid isolation became a military and 20
litical impossbiity, unless we were prepared SO to strengthen our
attacks bv land and sea. King Edward recognized this fact, and
with the advice of his ministers sought to diminish the number OF
our potential enemies on the continent. Contrary to many inter
ested or mistaken assertions, neither he nor Lord Lansdowne ever
conceived the policy OF making friends in Europe as a pohcy Oh
aggression.
1t seems that the isolated condition of England was considered
by English statesmen as exposing her to the danger OF beng mo-
Tested. England, therefore, instituted the Anglo French entente
after forming an alliance with the most important Aslatlc power
which was Japan. To quote further from the article which we
have cited:
The first step in this policy had little reference to Europe:
It consisted in the Anglo-Japanese alliance of 1902 But i Twas was
the "A nglo-Japanese alliance that led directly to the Anglo-Frencn
entente of 1904. During 1903. England strove, as she is striving
pan. France also sought to restrain her ally. lest ENHANCEMENT in
the Far East should render Russia incapable OF supporting FRANCE
constantly been exposed to diplomatic and military pressure Iet. BY
Germany, and had, in 1875: only been saved from German . attaEK
of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria then saw that the undisputed
predominance Of Germany in Europe ~ ge.i and the en pe e ss dan oasapae,
as that which grew up WhenRapoleon estaDhsneo MS supremacy
on the continent ataasss Bs y s6 |
To prevent a new Germanic Napoeonism rising up in Berlin,
Russia and France were forced into a defensive coalition. lie
English and French ministers failed to prevent the war between
Russia and Japan. and this result placed France and England IN a
dilemma. AS the Times remarks:
Anglo French efforts failed to prevent the Russo-Japanes
war in 1904. Germany, who was anxious to remove the pressure
of the Russian army from her eastern r frontier Coz, coan aeGaaa a tne 7 7.
to decide whether they would join in the war and fight each otner.
or would agree to remain neutral and to counterDalance Gefnah
supremacy. They chose the latter course in February. 1914. "A
lew weeks later the agreement with France, known as the entente
0 Russia i IS now ear' defending a vital interest France, who is
bound to Russia by alliance, and still more by the necessltles or nf
European situation and political independence, IS compelled TO sup
port Russia. England is bound by moral obligations to side with
France and Russia, lest the balance OF forces on the continent nnenon oe
nant Germany"
Belgium is one of the most important points in Europe. titles
in the very vital spot of the European empires. II Belgium is
conceded to Germany or to France, the equilibrium OF the european
powers is Immediately destroyed. AS we read:
"A vital British interest is therefore at stake. This interest
m takes t bas b orms e1n1ein genera and t the more d direct interest nuas Q Of + preserv.
ing the independence of Holland, and particularly Belgium. The
Franco German frontier along the Vosges has been so formdaby
fortified on both sides that German or q French advance across It
seems improbable. The point Of contact between the German and
French armies would naturally lie in or near Belgium. But a Ger
man advance through Belgium into the north OF france might en-,
able Germany to acquire possession of Antwerp, Flushing, and
even Of Dunkirk and Calais, which might then become German
naval bases against England. This is a contingency which no
Englshman can look upon with indifference.
English craftsmanship seems so far to have been recognizing
that contingency. and it will be asked by the British government
did not wait until a direct attack was made either upon the ships
or shores Of her empire? Our writer answers as follows:
Because Of these days Of swift decisions and swifter action,
lit would be too late for England to act with any chance OF success
after France had been defeated in the north. This is Why the
shots fred by the Austro- Hungarian guns r~everberate across the