TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-01-30

49, AANA HANH ~ WV
national idea. Anything less involves
the extinction Of the state as 4
| state.
Under similar conditions Amer
leans would similarly be ready 10
sacrifice themselves. Since the neces-
sity does not exist, this phase OF
national character is quiescent in
Americans, who are ready enough
TO sacrifice themselves in time OF
war, but who in time Of peace fail
numerously even TO 90 to the polls.
Not understanding the conditions,
Americans subject Germans 10 crit.
icism for permitting themselves 10
be led by a War Lord" LITERALLY
but IN realty Commander in chief")
for the most part not realizing that
there Is more real personal liberty
IN Germany than in the United
States, and further not understand
ing that where a German sacrifices
his personal liberty, he does so IN
the interest Of Germany as a nation,
drawing from the augmented ma
tionai effectiveness a spiritual
strength which more than reim-
burses him and contributes much
to the meaning Of the much mis-
understood term, German "Kultur'
which does not mean culture" in
the English sense, blu. rather, ideals
Of German civilization"
The driving force Of foreign pol
itical pressure is almoAG absent in
the United States. II is not neces-
sary for an American TO feel that
he mist constantly exercise his per-
sonal efforts in behalf Of his country.
Il is big and strong enough to take
care OF itself without any particular
assistance from him, and in the
case Of many politicians and men Of
business Importance, America is a
picnic to be enjoyed rather than a
civilization-ideal to be served and
to which sacrifices must be made.
1t Is not a material part Of Amer
lean policy to aggrandize the states
and but few energies are directed
TO that objective. Not only that,
but a not uncomfortable minority
are in favor OF a policy Of disag-
grandizement, while the r~elinquish-
ment Of territorial possessions is
an avowed political purpose OF the
party at present in power.
A nation under pressure from
within, as Germany is by reason OF
its rapidly increasing population,
and from without by reason OF the
ambitions Of its neighbors must
necessarily be aciuated by motives
which, while readily understood by
Americans, cannot easily be appreci-
ated at their true value.
A policy Of disaggrandizement can
only be possible IN a country like
America where thu natural resources
still afford ample leeway for the
growth of the population. Were the
whole population crowded into
Texas, with Japan across the Rio
Grande instead of the Pacific, some
thing of the German tension would
be understood.
Talk Of giving the Filipinos their
independence under such a condition
and the Abandonment Of such a
large and fertile portion Of the
surface to half-civilized bands
OF savages would appear grotesque.
As an aggrandizement of the
is not an active part OF the
OF the United States, it can
not be said to have any propulsive
national policy. 1t maintains rather
the attitude Of a guardian of liberty
earned and its policy is that |
live and let live. Having suffered
oppression in the past the national
conscience hesitates to inflict upon
others the oppression which it has
escaped.
The powerful phrases of the franz
ers OF its government and OF Lin
coin, the preserver Of its unity,
like ghostly sentinels, block the path
of impeTialistic ambitions, which
nevertheless it must some day enter
ain, for that is a stage OF national
development which every great
country mus in the nature Of things
experience.
Germany is now accused Of such
inhibition, and much OF the criticism
r the United States of Germany
doubtless arises from the feeling
hat America having abstained from
'uch ambitions, cannot be called
lpon to sympathize with a nation
hat has not so %abstained.
Whether Germany now does or
Toes not entertain imperialistic am
is beyond determination.
Germany herself does not know and
know as no country can
NOW when it is passing through
UGH a stage Of its development.
But even if it be so, it is not a
hing to be ashamed of or to be
Ienied. England exercises beyond
Ioubt an imperialism OF the sea,
Russia. it may freely be as
erted, eherishes imperialistic ambi-
ions of a slow but certain glacier-
Ike progress. France has perhaps
lassed through that stage Of its
rogress while the imperialism of
pain is 2 thing Of history.
The sudden and intense develop
ient OF Germany So long oppressed,
nay have projected her into this
tage Of her existence simultaneous
with the necessity Of self-preser.
alton, and if there be any guilt for
he present war and its long pre-
arations to be laid at her door, il ;
Fould have to be charged to that
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