The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-08
BY Jean Finot.
The Celebrates French Editor and Writer.

The Celebrated French Editor and Writer.
"HE present war Is unique In history.
Never at any time have there been so
many combatants engaged. never have
they struggled in the same degree for the
future OF the world. Upon the issue Of this
conflict depends without exaggeration the fate
OF one or the other OF two kinds OF humanity
into which the world Is divided
The antagonism between the thoughts and
the aspirations OF the Germanic peoples and
the rest of Europe. already felt before 1914.
has been slngulariy broadened and deepened
since then. The words and the acts OF the
rulers OF the armies. OF the intellectual lead
ers and OF the press OF Germany have dug an
impossible gulf between the two conceptions
OF life and the significance OF their respective
civilizations
That which dominates in German thought is
the idea that force makes law. Consequently
Is not only painful necessity but bene-
fit for nations that strong and well armed
for they progress by fighting and destroying the
weak.
The opposite Of these ideas constitutes the
distinctive trait OF the Allies. OF the neutral
states, and especially OF all OF the small coun-
tries whose independence would become IL
lusory with the triumph OF the Germanie doc
trine. The present war will clearly define the
path OF future humanity. IL is not simply
question OF conquests or Of geographical recu
hcations. This war reaches above the petty in
terests OF the moment and embraces the whole
of our moral and material life. We Will not
discuss the value OF the two doctrines. for that
would carry us too far. Let us establish, on
the other hand the postulates generally ad'
mitted by the soldiers who are fighting and by
those who direct them. These form certain
luminous points which light up their aspira'
lions and their desires
We can easily conceive that the peace which
will result from this formidable collision Will
resemble In no way the outcome OF wars in the
past Moreover 1t will not be in this case the
diplomats who will have the mission of settling
the differences. The past has taught us that
these professional "bonzes." who set them
selves up as supreme judges of the world and
decide Its fate for the distant future, are rarely
equal to their task.
All preceding congresses, well as the
treaties which resulted from them, have al
ways been fertile In future wars. Public opln-
ion has grown up in Europe. 1t will no longer
let itself be led by Governments of the day.
but will require that solutions shall be pre-
pared by free public discussion in advance.
II will then enforce the solution It desires upon
its representatives. II Is To be noticed that
even German public opinion, ordinarily so
docile and so servile. which asks rather to be
directed than to reflect or decide, is rebellins
already against a peace conceived exclusively
by the Kaiser, the Imperial Chancellor and
their Heutenants.
A similar phenomenon shows itself among
the Allies with more force. We are planning
in France with extreme care the outlines Of
the future peace. and the author OF these lines
has even had the Joy OF observing that several
OF his ideas had been taken into consideration
by the chanceeries concerned.
When the hour of peace frikes the func-
tionaries delegated by the peoples TO the peace
congress will already know the sense OF the
general mind. II will only be left TO the func-
tionaries TO make more precise certain con
illusions which have been left vague and to
adopt those which have been clearly tormu
lated.
Now one Of the postulates Of all the allied
nations. against which no diplomacy can
struggle, Is that the war only finish BY the
definite crushing Of German militarism. Be
fore obtaining this result neither the French
nor the English nor the Russians will admit the
possibility under any preteXt OF discussing and
still less OF concluding peace As are all
convinced that Germany has premeditated and
brought about this war. as We have no longer
any doubt concerning her manner Of regarding
treaties. can only trust ourselves to a
peace based on the impOssibility Of renewal
by Prussia Of her centuryOld proceedings.
Another condition imposes itself. We must
make future wars most dangerous for those
who premeditate them. The conquest OF prov.
inces Is often contrary to the principles which
animate modern democracy. Outside OF the
restitution OF the despoiled countries and the
emancipation Of natiOnaties, We see no con
quest possible for the Allies. Then the question
~ indemnity will present itself in an lmperious
manner. The conquerOrs viii require the pay
ment Of all expenses, and shall reach enor
nous sums. 10 which humanity has never been
accustomed
made some calculation OF the amounts that
would be required ,hree or four months ago
By taking into consideration certain scieutl1,
principles and the expenses necessary for the
maintenance o. armies In war time during tho
last nifty years, / arrived at the figure oil
170O0O0OO.OOO francs S34OOO 900 OOOJ as 'h,
amount OF money that Germany and Austri'
VII have TO pay % The war lasts only on,
year
have introduced into this calculation a FAC
tor which has never been considered up 20 Oh,
present That o. TO say. the commercial valu,
or human organisms lost or mutilated. Since
suggested this figure we have become used q,