TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1916-05-29
by RUPERT
I-NTRODUcTORY REMARKS

tuk dftlIlSo OF OlfitlpHss tHN JOAAAtb
Of our Information, England, Bel
GUM, France, Russia, Italy. Turkey,
The Balkans, Anstria-H Hungary, Ger
many, Japan, America. The Neutral
Countries, The Principles OF War,
Military Operations. The Effects OF
the War on Commerce and Ciyilixa-
ton. The present issue deals with
the first two sections, and touches
the other divisions only where Ii is
unavoidable owing 10 the subject mat
ter belonging to more than one part,
We know many Americans are actu-
ally neutral in thought and speech, but
we feel that pro-English virus has been
given to the press in many cities until
It is impossible to obtain a fair hearing
for the Germans. Not being so in
clined to politics as the English, the
Germans did not at the beginning Of
the war start a press campaign, which
the English did, but rested their cause
in the minds OF the American people
upon right and justice. Right and JUS
tice could obtain no hearing because the
London censor decreed not. Yet there
arc in America at least thirty millions
of Germans, their descendants, and
sympathizers, that deserve some con-
liberation at the hands Of editors, who
up to the summer Of 1914. did not
especially love the English. assume
that the Irish as a body favor Ger
many.
An attempt has been made to avoid
technical ~phraseology. Social and eco
uomic conditions are cited when they
are the underlying cause OF a given &C
hon or movement. Such anomalies as
the Allied notes to Montenegro on the
occupation Of Skutari, and the bitter
sacrifices Of Russia and France while
England takes her ease as tn. protag-
pnist Of the war, are explained.
SOURCES OF OUR INFORMATION
Opinion in America is subject to swift
ihange, especially in international af-
fairs. When the Ru~sso-Japanese war
broke out, all the good people on the
Pacific coast were wildly in favor OF
the Japanese. In a few short years
hey were on the other side OF the fence,
trying to lynch the laps. The mass OF
the people, not knowing much history
outside of United States annals, and not
much Of that readily follow whatever
the reporters choose to feed them on.
Naturally we get much from England
by way of jamestown and Plymouth.
Our language as defined in English die
tionaries, our literature buttressed by
the immortal Shakespeare, our law in
terpreted by the brilliant Blackstone,
influence our opinion. There are many
-4ha- .a..aas .,Lv I on1cr do. should
permeate this continent. Financial con-
nections, the many moS7ages b~stoDesH
ueaifhy 4meyicaas aud members of the
British 0~rIStoeraey British ownership OF
American railroad and newspaper stocks,
and government bonds, the habits and
customs derived from the English
through the Puritans, the friendly" re-
lations established by London for
Washington when the British began to
fear the Americans would soon seize
Canada, the teaching of English history
in American high-schools, the Rhodes
scholarships, the proximity of Canada,
the propaganda Of British l~ecturess and
press agents, all have had their influence
in forming American opinion. Not the
least Of the causes Of anti-German feel
ing is the ignorance OF the American
people touching the machinery OF gov
eminent and its fyoda5 oPsrand Of the
German empire. That imperialism"
can develop a system by which order,
regularity, honesty and economy of adj
ministration can be exhibited TO the
shame Of democratic disorder, irregu-
larity, dishonesty, and extravaganza, is
1~n~nn-n1Tansskfa Nc - rA staaI -
politics snbyefting every good Of the
masses that we can't imagine any other
system. One government seeks the good
of the nation by concentrating the pow
ers Of the state, the other believes that
state is best governed which is least
governed. The former is good for a
densely populated land, the latter for a
sparsely inhabited territory. What is
good for Saxony or Manhattan will
hardly suit Arizona.
There being a large German and Ger
man-American population in the United
States reading German papers and Eur
ropean history, some Of US do not take
al the London news without a grain of
salt. Some of us can see the fine Mach
iavellian hand of Asquith.
ENGLAND
When the Great Armada was de-
feated the power of the sea passed from
Spain to England. Spanish arrogance
in lording the wave became English ar
rogance, which the victories Of La
Hogue, Trafalgar and Copenhagen have
sustained. AT the treaty OF Client, the
Americans were content to receive peace
without having the causes of the war
of 1872 touched upon. The English
may still search American vessels, and
do. Be NOT ashamed. All nations have
been taught that Britannia rules the
wave. The wide waters Of the ocean
are a British lake which other nations
are permitted TO navigate by the couf-
tcsy of the English cabinet. British
tiavalism is one 81 the causes Of the
British naralism follows the poll
icy that the English navy fnust be as
strong as the nayies OF any Two other
countries combined. Il Is only possible
because a grinding taxation OF the peo-
pie Of India supplies the necessary NOM
cy, the sinews of war. When the Ger
began to create a modern navy to
their rising commerce, the Brit
ish had to increase their pace both in
and In building. The latter were
not pleased. Churchill has worked with
feverish activity for four years, (thrcc
years in preparing for this war, one
year in wary, to bring the British navy
up to its present state Of efficiency. Pri-
marily intended to protect Great Britain
invasion. this navy is now used to
guard the enormous merchant marine
living the British far In aIl parts Of