The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-08-14
BY Franklin H. Giddings, IL. D.
Professor Of Sociology and the History OF
Civilization at Columbia University.

a the end OF one year OF the hardest
~ military struggle since civilization be-
- gan 10 Il worth while 20 ask whether
re who have watched II from the vantage
round Of distance and Of peace have attained
fairly true view OF ~ Do we know at least
approximately. what has happened? Do we
wee in broad outlines. II not in detail. the map
Of Europe the political organization OF the
western world and the outstanding features Of
civilization they will be when peace 10
made1 Can we understand. estimate and
Judge in a measure as the historian will under
Itand. estimate and Judge half a century from
iowg
In n measure yes Wholly. perfectly. OF
curse no. Important facts now unsupported
VII become known 10 the public. The perspec-
i've will lengthen. But II is by no means GER
ain that these alterations In the conditions
4 the problem will AFFECT the final conclusion
ESSENTIALLY n the after history OF former
vars throws light on the question. Il will be
he worlds verdict upon specific acts OF indi
viduas rather than our analysis OF impersonal
'orces and Transformations. that will undergo
revision. IL Is, then presumably possible to
rrive at approximately valid judgments now.
nd; II It is possible. II Is worth while.
There have been great wars that swift
nd meteoric. The Franco Prussian war OF
$40 was the most brilliant OF these Other
.reat wars have been dsappointingly long,
tubborn and exhausting Until now the Amer
can Civil War was the most tremendous and
he most instructive conflict OF the stubborn
Iort The European war that began on July
81. 1919, was Intended and expected 20 be a
summer storm. At the end OF one year IL has
ssumed the aspect OF an exhausting struggle.
There Is not likely TO be. from this time on
my change In the judgment at which the
'orld In general had arrived last Autumn upon
ne fundamental fact. The miscarriage of the
ferman plan was a consequence OF German
allure to read Alright the mind OF Belgium and
he mind OF Great Britain. Had Belgium as
sented TO the German demand for military right
OF way through Belgian territory. or had Great
eritain ignored the violation OF Belgian neu.
Tality. the march upon Paris would In ali prob
sDihty have been accomplished before a serious
campaign in the East could have been forced
~ the RUSSIAN offensive. The delays and
osses about Liege and the support OF the
trench and Belgian left by the small force OF
'ritish regulars under General French made
'ossioie the dramatic halting OF the western
ampaign In the battle OF the Marne
IL was Great Britain. and not Germany that
gave To the world the spectacle OF an achieve
ment swift, far-reaching and tremendous In its
consequences. Nothing like the completeness
ana swiftness with which Great Britain swept
the oceans OF German ships and German com.
merce was ever witnessed before. Following
up this Isolation OF continental Germany Great
Britain has, item by item, taken over the more
important German colonies. The entire mari.
Tine enterprise and colonial expansion that
Germany toilsomely built up for a quarter OF a
century has been annlhilated.
The-S two results OF the initial operations OF
the war. which Germany did not foresee de
foTmtned the character OF the military and
naval activities that have followed. Slow
moving Russia had time TO make a formida bic
advance into Austrian territory and 20 threaten
German possessions In East Prussia thereby
compelling Germany TO organize the tremSn
dous eastern campaign. which now, after up
palling expenditure. she has waged TO results
OF substantial victory for the time being.
Compelled thus 70 divert vast forces 70 thS
east. Germany could not put power enough into
her furious drives on the west 20 reach Cahis
or to break through the French centre Il
war ZEE n
perimental features. the actual value OF whicl
so far has been curiOusly small. the potentia
value OF which Is not yet known Trench hght
ing. Zeppelin raids, submarine assault and bat
terry one day may nave an importance com
mensurate with their novelty and terribfeness
To the present moment they have not.
Because these things happened. one afte
another. In quite orderly. inevitable causatlor
and not at all by accident. Germany has bee
having for threequarters Of year and ye
has. her opportunity 20 prove herself lube
allies" She has arrayed the greater part O
Europe against herself. her ally. Austria. IS q
war with Italy, and her own relations wit
the United states have become daugerousl
strained
Never did any Great Power dare 30 much
never aid any Power ind herself. whether n
tentionall- or otherwise. committed to strui
sfe 40 gigantic Never did any Power en- a
the history OF the world wage war upon q
rong a battle front And never against sue
odds Of distance. Circumstance and enem
strength did any Power achieve such prodigiou
military results. As matters stand to-da
germany has conquered Belgium and northor
France: she has nearly conquered Polan
Were tho war 20 stop now and no change wha
soever DO made by the terms % peace in q
geographical lines actually marked hy miliai
occupatior, Germany would honcoiorth exten
rom the walls OF WARSAW 20 the wharvcs
Antwerp She would be- without colonies ar
EIthout foreign commerce. but she would co
troll the richest natural resources of EWoI
and rorts entirely adequate for vast futu
growth OF ocean trade Tho future his'orii
vouid undoubtedly say that. whether intcnt0
NV or otherwise, she had Waged. on the who
,uocosqfully n gigantic war of conquest
such are the results. go FAR. Of actual militia
snd naval operations. Perhaps there has new
been a war about which non cOmbafants ha
'sit 90 strongly that ts consequences in q
suman mind we're likely 90 De moro importa
than the changes that 70 may write on q
nan A. man thlnkoth. % a. hes as ma
ina thinks On the next twenty-five years.
vii mankind 90 perhaps Tor a hundred or
svndred years thereafter
me world IL asking once more Tho Oldest
,uestiore-what are the true realities. WI
lie thinFa worth whUr7 o. is asking Nhoth
those thinga which we have Thought OF Of q
ftzafion are. after an vital and so cndo~
sffh vitality as to endure iu q sfruEsIo Tor Z
t.fe-~o moro mcrcucrg than tho conflicts no o.