Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-07

ober II, 1903, at the postoffice, ottun-
wa, Iowa, under the Act Of Congress "
March 3, 1879.
FOREIGN representatives: Cone, Lor-
enzen & Woodman, Mallers Bu'lalns,
Chicago: 225 Fifth Ave. New YORK
City: Gumbel Bldg, Kansas CITY, MO.
WHERE GERMANY HAS FAILED.
Notwithstanding her great success,
It is plain that the real prize has 50
far, If not permanently, slipped
through Germany's fingers. What mas
been the cause Of this failure? Why
have the most splendid army and the
most perfect national organization,
despite the most complete and sys-
tematic preparation. missed decision
against disorganized, If collectively
stronger foes?
Plainly because German science and
German foresight failed to reckon with
tmponderables-abo all with the ma
tional spirit and patriotism OF other
races.
The invasion of Belgium was not
the military mistake 1t seemed 10
most of us in the opening days OF the
war. The Belgian army did not inter
rupt German plans or assure German
defeat, as has been said so often. But
It did rouse the moral sense OF
Europe. It did give to every French
man. to every Englishman, precisely
that inspiration which adds to decisive
force in close contests. More than an
else it explains the presence OF Italy
in the battle lines today. 1t assured
the presence Of the British in France
In the opening days of the war.
But its effect upon the French can
hardly be described. 1t gave nation
which always needs the stimulus OF
great idea to fight best, one OF the
most deeply stirring of incentives. IT
united 1893 to 1914 In the mind OF
every soldier Of the republic. 1t en-.
listed and continues to enlist neutral
support and neutral sympathy for the
foes Of Germany. To strike France
quickly Germany invaded Belgium and
the invasion gave to French and Bit
ish arms new force. 1t even spurred
the slower-moving Slav to the unex-
pected success in mobilization which
made the invasion of East Prussia pos
vible and fatal to German plans.
The German spirit Of nationality IN
The very opening hours OF the struggle
awakened the same opposing spirit
which ultimately overthrow Napoleon.
1914 took on the character of 1913, but
The French and Prussians had changed
sides. Yet behind this spirit Of other
races there was no national organiza-
ton such as Germany possessed.
There was just the necessary strength
to check the flood at the Marine, and
again In Flanders repulse could not be
turned into decisive. victory, because
only the German people had been
ready.
Yet from the day the first German
soldier set foot on Belgian soil to the
present moment the consequences
have been fatal to German plans.
France, with the Belgian example be-
fore her, saved herself and Europe at
the Marine. Serbia answered Austrian
tyranny and arrogance by the victory
Of the Jedar. The war took on the
character Of war Of liberation for
subject races. The Balkans stirred
uneasily. Italy, driven by reaction
Of the Belgian episode, moved from
neutrality to war. Rumania, with her
millions to liberate, is today almost on
the edge Of war; and Greece is appar-
pntly at the point of casting her lot
with the allies to free her fellow
Hellenes in Asia Minor.
A war between France and Ger
many. between Austria and Russia, a
eonfict between the two sets of allies,
would have been different thing. It
would have been one more in the long
series of European conflicts over ques-
lions of power. In such conflict
German success cannot be questioned
Ind men would have differed as their
Sympathies run. But instead four
!. treat and two smaller states are fight
ing two great powers and crumbling
i Turkey. Other states seem on the
: point of entering and the war has
thanged character utterly.
The Slav, the Latin, the Anglo-Saxon
liffering in every conceivable fashion,
have been brought into an alliance
which grows closer rather than weak
ms with defeat and delay So far this
alliance has only availed to hold back
herman masses from their goal. 1t is
lot yet clear that 1t will succeed, al
hough the great crisis Is now at hand.
But If it does hold, this incongruous
alliance, It will be because the German
las armed his possible foes with the
me weapon that could save them. the
Weapon of national spirit, the spirit
nat liberated Prussia from Napoleon.
More and more as the terrible con-
lict proceeds we are passing from the
tage of the battle of men to the battle
f ideals. More and more, too, the
conflict is taking on the aspect of a