Evening journal., 1915-05-28
1813-1915
lFrom the New York TrIbunel

pie when their Kings failed. over
threw Napoleon, because the spirit OF
race and nation was unconquerable.
II is the same spirit now that is NOV
ing Europe from the STRAITS of Dover
to the Golden Horn.
Nor should Americans permit their
visions TO be obscured at this time.
The German idea is as fatal to what
we care for as to what the English
and the French cherish. The subor-
dination of the individual. the destruc-
ton of a free press, of individual lib
erty. Of all that the Anglo-SaXon tra-
dition and the French Revolution have
meant to mankind would be inevita-
bic consequences of German victory
All our history from Lexington to
1915, represents the conviction that
force does not make right, nor mill
tary power justice. Yet the essence
of the German idea is force, might,
power.
The Nspoleonic idea could not en-
dure II was always bound to fall
because il was based upon military
power. IL was based upon the ability
to repeal even the commOnest of the
rules of international right by brute
force. True, Napoleon's crimes were
small beside those of William II. His
execution of the Duke of Enghion
shook Europe, but II is a mere detail
when compared with the massacre Of
the Lusitania. But for Americans
quite as much as Europeans II was
( essential that the NapoleOnic idea
D q
as il threatened all others. Precisely
the same thing is true OF the German
( idea
What we arc now facing is some
! thing more than contest between
rival powers. Il was that when
France and Prussia we're at war in
J 1870 II is more than quarrel over
commerce or provinces. II is fight
to preserve the individuality of ma
tions It is a battle TO save Europe
from being German. as the NapOleoic
wars became a contest 10 save Europe
from French domination. If Germany
is beaten We shall have many races
freed, consolidated. established. We
shall have the rights of little states
protected and guaranteed. Belgium
Serbia. ROumania, Greece, Bulgaria
from all of these will be removed the
menace which the German idea con-
stiiuted Subject races in Austria
will be enfranchised If not assured
separate existence.
But if Germany wins Serbia, Bel
GUM. tomorrow Holland, will be eX-
tinguished. More Frenchmen will be-
come the subjects of the Kaiser. Ital'
ians will be condemned TO Austrian
rule. All over Europe the principle
of nationality will be violated and the
inherent right of men to determine
their own land and language denied
Look at the consequences OF German
victory and no American can hesitate
10 hope for German defeat. for Amer
ican reasons. Our own cause is tha
of the Allies.
The entrance Of Italy-is in fact thu
crisis in the Great War, and we arr
living through one of the great per
iods in human history. Whatever bl
the immediate ends of the Italian
people, however selfish the incidenta
. occasion of the declaration Of war
= il will remain a landmark in histor,
because il will promise. as did tn
! entrance OF Austria into the Napo
l leonic strife a century ago. the he
: ginning of the end of a great dream
! founded upon injustice, upon the re
! peal of all that civilization and reli
I gion have won for the world in cen
. turtles.
= And in such struggle Italy belon;
C with the liberal powers. All her splei
- did history in the last century, all II
G magnificent heroism of her patriots WI
r died ON Hapsburg scafiolds, all that Ma
a zini and Garabaldi mean TO mankir
S would be repudiatcd by Italy if she d
t not today stand with those nations wl
h are rcsuming the battle for libert
e fought century ago against Napolc'
l. and now being fought against Il
y Kaiser.
/ And Italy should carry with II
American wishes for success. q
y women and children have been sacrifice
J. to German necessity, our dead have be-
n scattered over the seas and now flo
r with the tides because. hapless and hel
II less, American women and children sto
l. between Germany and her purpose. III
10 Is what the German idea means. TIA
"a has elected the only course that cou
d. avail to save her from the German per
le She will fight for civilization. W
le Germany insist that all other natio
=, follow Will she recognize th
lt though our arms are not yet enlisted o
"a hearts arc with her enemies not beeau
r. we hate Germans. but because the thin
10 today called German are the negation
D. all for which America stands.