Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-06-20
GERMAN ARMS
TRIUMPH EVIL
FOR FREEDOM
Popular Rights in Europe and
America W ould Be Menaced
by Teuton Victory
ABSOLUTISM NOT NEEDED
Cermany's Success Offers Vim
dication for Her and Blow
to Free Government
ABSOLUTlSM NOT NEEDED

In the ultimate analysis Europe's
war is a conflict between free gov
eminent and the WORKOUT doctrine Of
the divine right Of kings" says the
Spokane Spokesman-Review. AS we
have seen, the German nation is de.
MED liberty. It is ruled by the Inn
perious will of . war lord who ad-
nits NO responsibility to the reichstag
and the people, and exacts unques-
toned obedience from the highest to
the lowest-from his imperial chan.
cellor to the poorest peasant in the
Aolds.
Popular government, a. 1t hourishes
in France. Great Britain. Belgium.
Italy and tho United States has no
1oolhold under the limited constitu.
ton which Bismarck and Emperor
Williams grandfather granted the
empire. not - . national right, but
- an act Of royal grace.
) That Russia is aligned with the al
lies Is true: that the Russian govern
ment 10 even moro autocratic than the
German government Is also true. But
Russian autocracy can not endanger
popular institutions as they are en-
dangered by German absolutism. Rus
sian inefiiciency stands out as an
impressive lesson against autocracy,
but German absolutism, gilded with
high efficiency. widely d:ffused edu.
cation and culture, is a menace to
popular rights in Europe and the
Americas.
Not Ready for Complete Freedom.
For Russian autocracy there is some
justification. The Russian masses, H.
Nterate. ignorant and unprogressiye,
are incapable Of an advanced applica-
ton Of the principles Of popular gov
eminent. The Russian empire is made
up Of = wide diversity of races and
tongues and IL geographically far
flung, from the shores Of Europe to
tAe shore Of the Pacific. Russia lacks
national unity, purpose and spirit, re-
sembling in that respect the Chinese
empire, Even In the present war, ~
IN that with japan. the masses Of
Russia's population arc little con-
eerned.
This lack Of popular interest and
enthusiasm 10 noted by special cor.
respondent Of the New York Sun, who
jonrneyed recently over the trans
siberian railroad from vladivostok to
Hserosrad.
AS the train proceeded westward
approaching Russia" writes this cor
respondent, II looked expectantly, but
vainly, for some awakening interest
In the war. At Omsk. near the Ural
mountains, which divide Siberia from
Russia proper. met . wealthy mer.
chant and an attorney who took the
train to Petrograd. They were very
anxious to talk about the war now
that they were going to the capital.
but they said they gave It very little
thought at home. They furnished
typical examples of the indifference Of
even the cultured class to the national
policy.
Russian War Not Popular Movement.
Governmental affairs are manipu.
lated by q coterie Of powerful mobiles
and a few strong officials who have
risen to influence. There is not much
to be gained by the ordinary individ.
ual In bothering about such matters.
One thing is becoming more and more
certain-the war in NO way represents
the will Of the Russian people. Per-
haps 1t would be more accurate to
say the war is not q popular move
ment. Education has not sufficiently
spread among the masses to develop
. national WILL"
For autocracy in Russia there is
some reason and justification. For
German absolutism but one defense
can be offered-the plea that it makes
for higher progress and efficiency. A
triumph Of German arms would tend
70 strengthen that plea. 1t would
chill faith and confidence in the prin-
eiples Of popular government a. ap.
plicable to the countries Of western
Europe.
Autocracy fits Russia. Worn by
Germany 1t IL ~ though q man in
modern attire went strutting down the
street in helmet and visor and clank-
ing broadsword. The German people
are capable Of popular government
and entitled to It. They are educated.
intelligent. progressive and cultured.
Their country IL compact, racially they
arc essentially Teutonic. and they have
. common language. written and YER
VASCULAR.
Dsleians Have Free Government
The indirect influence Of q triumph
Of Prussian arms Is to be feared and
the immediate and concrete results to
b deplored. Omcial acts and utter
ances. for example. point to the con-
tsmplated annexation OF Belgium.
That would mean the destruction Of .
yaoular government long enjoyed by
marc than 100000 people and their