The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1915-05-28
BY DIR. G. R. Mente, Grangerburg
Continued from May 21)

Opposed to the policy OF mllltarlsm,
yet admiring the wonderful pluck and
enthusiasm Of the German nation, !
come to the conclusion that the spirit
of the warrior of the 18th century is
the power which exercises such tre-
mendous influence at the present time
in German politics can safely state
that Frederick the Great was the
founder of the present German aggres-
siveness. To us Americans the fool
ishness of the Divine Right Of Kings
calls for great deal Of critiscm but
let me tell you that this very theory
is exercising a wonderful influence
just now in Europe.
Whether or not this war would
have materialized if Bismark were
alive, is an open question; this states
man foresaw the struggle and warned
Germany regarding the triple en-
tente, yet even the voice of the great
statesman of the 10Th century might
not have been needed by the Kaiser.
remember well that in 1875 Bis
mark prophesied, if Germany were to
keep the balance Of power and keep
the peace of Europe, she must under
no condition mix in Russian or ORR
entail affairs. Russia did not seek any
trouble with Germany, for her policy
could not be considered antagonistic to
Germany, for in the event Of war, Rus
siae could gain only possible small
strip of land along the Baltic, which
would not materially benefit her. On
the other side Germany might add a
few more miles of Polish territory,
which would be very expensive as
set to Germany. Even if the Ottoman
Empire were driven from Europe and
Constantinople were to become the
Russian outlet to the Orient, Germany
would not loose, but FATHER gain in
the end. England would be the ag-
rieved party, for victorious Russia
might become a menace to the Suez
Canal and Egypt, both needed by Eng
land in her foreign policy. Hence |
do mot believe Germany had any de-
sire to 60 to war with the land of the
Car.
But how about France? This Re-
public was smarting under the humil-
iating defeat of 1901. Elsace-Lor-
ain wae sad loss to her pride, yet
France did not desire war. True, she
had been building a fine navy and i'm
proving her army, as well as fortify-
ing her frontiers, yet ! am certain
this was only a precaution against
German aggresiveness. France was
not seeking trouble. On the other
hand, Germany had little to gain in
struggle with France, for the newly
acquired provinces kept her busy; thus
/ do not believe that Germany was
over anxious to draw the sword
against France. So this stupendous
conflict will go down in history; gener-
ations to come will feel the curse; al
the same time no solution may ever
be found a. to who is really the guilty
party in this upheavel. One thing is
certain, the German people feel theil
supposed superiority; this is made
manifest in her every day contact witt
the world. We're / German, per
haps | al~o would share the spirit o.
the people; Germany certainly ha!
reached the zenith of military glory
but l believe militarism, pure and sim
pie, which really spells brute force
should be denied to any nation, fol
when carried to the extreme, it be
comes menace to the universe. Ger
many's army is a machine, a might!
tidal wave, which if not curbed will
sweep over the civilized world, bring
ing back the days of Attila.
While admiring Germany for he
undaunted courage and almost slav
ish patriotism, yet think she deserve
the detestation of every well-minde'
American citizen for her entire disre
gard for the laws of nations. Th
outraged citizenship of Belgium an,
northern France will never know WIN
is responsible for the many crimes con
mitted by the soldiers Of the KaiSeI
One fact is certain, it viii require |
century at least to heal the scars. Th
German soldier Of this war Is entirel,
different from the soldier SO success
full in 1871, For the Franco-Prus
sian war was carried on under civil
lied rules, while thus far German,
has disregarded the rights Of individ
uals and nations.
When 1870 dawned upon Europe
Prussia was in . depIorable condition
south Germany was divided into man
little sovereign states and principal
ties; Austria was still smarting unde
her defeat ~ the hend of Prussia
1866; Italy was just starring as ! n
tion, Venice having been ceeded to her