The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-08
IF THE ALLIES LOSE.
The Eject Upon the Balance Of Power
Considered by Professor Howe.

To THE F.piToR OF THE SrN-SU: The
preservation uf the balance Of power
in Europe means essentially prevent
ing any one state. and any group
likely to act as "A unit, from becoming
stronger than all the rest together.
lest it exercise that greater strength
and nQu such part of the rest as
it chooses. or possibly all the rest.
This principle applies equally to the
world balance of power. II is Ia the
interest of every country IN the world
that no single country or coherent
group shall become stronger h all
the rest. lest 1t exercise its strength
and conquer such countries, in It's
own or other continents, as Its in-
terests shall dictate. 1t is to the in
terest of America and Of every other
country hat the Teuton group. the
central empires. shall not conquer its
present enemies. lest it thereby be-
come stronger than all the rest and
select what country it pleases for its
next attack. for America might he
that next country.
We have held tacitly that England.
France and Italy are at once too demo-
cratic and too well supplied with
colonies for their WI expansion to
threaten our existence. But the Prus-
sian phenomenon, the ability of a
small militaristic Prussian group to
weld together and use az one batter
ing ram all the States which II sue
cessively masters. including appar-
emily even the disaffected Poles and
Austrian Slavs; the apparently unlim-
tied military ambitions of this group.
and the lack Of colonies sufficient for
Teutonic expansion. raise serious ques-
tons as to the terrestrial balance of
power.
The first question is. III the land
hungry Teutons should conquer. is
there a reasonable probability that
after reorganizing and consolidating
their Conquests into a new and
greater battering ram. they would at
tack us as at ono the richest and the
worst defended prize. either directly
or through the Monroe Doctrine?'
The second question is, would the
victory of the Teutons destroy the
terrestrial balance of power. SO that
they would he stronger than all the
rest of the world combined. that rest
then consisting chiefly of ourselves
and JAPAN
The third question Is. After allow
ing for the wish-fathering Of our pres
ent Interpretation of the results OF
these first thirteen months Of the
war. can we lie so perfectly sure OF
,l. u-.,,,,,gs ,l,g,,.tn I.f..t ,Gn, a..
can afford to ignore the consequences
to ourselves OF their possible victory
and the consequent destruction OF the
terrestrial balance Of power
a fourth question is, is our con
tingent danger So great that our in
terest lies IN giving all possible aid e
the Allies now. whether through join
ing them openly. or through a com
pletc embargo IN everything Teutonic
or otherwise. in giving this aid nov
while 1t may still be effective. rather
than in letting Germany destroy oul
natural allies before She grapples us
Shall the world preserve its own bal
ance Of power by using simulta'
neously tn" combined strength Il al
against the group which threatens il
or shall ii allow that group To con
qucr the rest in detail?"
These questions. far from being self
answering. can he answered arigh
only through full discussion. They
should be discussed fully not only fo
their own sake hat more especial,
lest their avoidance suggest. first
that our leaders are unwilling TO dis
cuss matters. however urgent. whicl
are unpleasant to their followers, an,
second. that this unwillinCness is du
to their having lost character. |
democracy j. to succeed It must bc
lieve not only in itself hut ais" in il
" leaders.
| leave aside the question whethe
honor calls on US to aid France. {
which We " our existence. IN thi
hour Of peril. for those who viii No.
face dangers ior their own sake ar
not likely to be moved by gratitude,
Henry VI. HOWE.
BEDFORD Hills. October :.