The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-07-29

any national liberty, will be obvious to
any one who has once perceived that the
present war became inevitable when
Austria Hungary, in violation of an in
ternational agreement to which she was
herself party. seized and absorbed
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and became
general and fierce when Germany, under
Prussian lead, in violation of an interna-
tional agreement to which she was her.
self party, entered and plundered neu-
tralized Belgium.
A strong, trustworthy international
alliance to preserve the freedom of the
seas under all circumstances would Sc.
cure for Great Britain and her federated
commoEwealths everything secured by
the burdensome two-navies policy which
British purposes. The same information
al alliance would secure for Germany the
complete freedom of the seas which in
times of peace between Germany and
Great Britain she has long enjoyed by
favor of Great Britain, but has lost in
time of war with the Triple Entente. This
security, with the general acceptance of
the policy of the "open door," would full
ly meet Germany's neeu of indefinite ex-
pansion for her manufacturing industries
and her commerce. and of room sin the
sun" for her surplus population.
1t is safe inference from the events
of the past six months that the longer
the war lasts the more significant will be
the political and social changes which
results from it. 1t is not to be expected,
and perhaps not to be desired, that the
ruling class in the countries autocratical-
ly governed should themselves draw this
inference at present; but all lovers of
freedom and justice will find consolation
for the prolongation of the war in this
hopeful reflection.
To devise the wise constitution of an
international council or commission, with
properly limited powers, and to deter
mine the most promising composition of
an international army and an information
al navy, are serious tasks, but not be-
yond the available international wisdom
and good will; provided, that the tasks
be intrusted to international publicists,
business men of large experience and
successful administrators, rather than to
professional diplomatists and soldiers. To
dismiss such noble enterprise with the
remark that it is academic" or beyond
the reach of practical" politics is un-
worthy of courageous and humane men,
for it seems now to be the only way out
of the horrible abyss into which civilza-
ton has fallen. At any rate, some such
machinery must be put into successful
operation before any limitation of nation
al ornaments can be effected. The war
has shown to what a catastrophe COM
petitive national arming has led, and
would probably again lead, the most ci v
ilized nations of Europe. Shall the white
race despair of escaping from this hell?
The only way of escape in sight is the
establishment of rational international
community. Should the enterprise fail
after fair trial, the world will be no worse
off than it was in July, 1914, or is today.
Whoever studies the events of the past
year with some knowledge of political
philosophy and history, and with the love
of his neighbor in his heart, will discover,
amid the horrors of the time and its moral
chaos, three hopeful leadings for human
itarian effort, each involving great con-
structive invention. He will see that
humanity needs supremely a sanction for
international law, rescue from alcoholism
and sound basis for just and unseltsh
human relations in great industries and
particularly in the machinery industries.
The war has brought out all three of
these needs with terrible force and vivid
ness. Somehow they must be met, If
the white race is to succeed in 1.-The pur-
suit of happiness" or even to hold the
gains already made.
CHARLES w. ELIOT.
Asticou, Me-, July IL, 1915.