Gilpin observer., 1915-10-28
A TRIUMPH OF SANITY

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To appreciate the full significance
OF the German governments action
in disavowing the sinking Of the Ara
bic, 1t is necessary to consider the
nature of the political conflict that
has been waged in Germany over
this issue.
President Wilson's diplomatic vic.
tory makes tie first defeat that the
German military artocracy has sus
tanned at home since the outset of
the war
| Most of the Influential members of
the German general staff have been
frankly in favor of war with the
United States ever since the contro-
versy over tie sale of munitions be
came acute. Naturally they ardently
supported the Tirpitz policy of sub
marine warfare. From their point of
view. war with the United States was
eminentay desirable. War, in their
opinion. would mean that the United
States government would have to
take over all the ammunition factor
les here in order to equip an army
Six or eight months wcmld elarse be-
fore an effective army would be
ready In the meantime Great Britain
and France would be shut off from
their American supplies of ammuni-
ticn, and the military advantage to
Germany would be tremendous.
With Great Britain, France and
Russia deprived OF American muni-
items, the German general staff be-
lievedj that the war could be won
before formidable American army
could he sent to tie trenches in
France and Flanders. There was
nothing to fear from the American
NAVY because the superiority of the
British and French navies was al
ready oyerwhelmirg and the situation
in respect to sea power could net be
changed if all the navies in tie world
were added to tlIose CT the allies.
This theory was plausible and it
reDres ented the majority judgment of
the general staff Opposed to 1t, how
ever, were the chancellor, the foreign
minister and all tie great financial
and industrial elements, of the empire.
These were willing to concede that
war with tie United states might
work to tie military advantage of
Germany for tie time being by cut
ting eff the allies supply OF ammuni-
ticn from this country. But they al
so saw that war with the United
States would mean the complete is
olation of Germany financially, indus
trially and commercially.
They were wise enorgh to know
that withcut American markets, with
out American loars and without Am
erican assistance Germany would be
lift prostrate af' er the war. Tfey
lad no delusions that Germany would
be able to rehabil:tete herself eco
ncmicaMy be extortirg indemGit.es
from her enemies, because they long
ego realized Il at no victory Of that
kind was possible. Therefore they
insisted that the German government
must maintain fr,erdly relations with
the United States, regardless of Tir-
pitt or 'frightfulness." 1t is because
they finally gained tie upper hand
that Count Won Rernstorff was able
to meet the presidents demands and
formally disavow tie sinking of the
Arabic
Tie presidents great diplomatic
achievement means that the German
government is no longer committed
to the principle CT war for wars
sake. 1t means that tie fate OF tie
German empire is no longer in TIE
keeping of the military autocracy, ard
that German finance. industry and
commerce have begun to assert their
power over the policies of tie gov
ernment
Had President Wilson rushed this
country into war with Germany, as
so many of his foolish critics de-
manded, he would have played direct
ly into the hands of the German
general staff and have done for this
military autocracy what it has prov.
ed incapable of doing for itself. San
ity in Washington made it possible
for sanity in Berlin to triumph and
to keep the pace between two great
nations-New York World.