New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-14
Germany Faces Second War.

Germany Faces Second War.
After the present war in Europe is over
there will be second. a supplementary
war. The military struggle Will be foi-
lowed by an economic struggle. II Ger
many is beaten in the field or draw
results. the Allied powers will continue
10 work together TO isolate the Ieutonlc
combination commercially, and Will see
that Germany has no chance to use her
foreign trade as means Of reconstruct
ing her military machine.
This purpose was announced very PLAIN
IL IN the British House Of Commons the
other day by Mr.. Walter Runciman, Presi-
dent Of the Board Of Trade. The British
government, he said, is already planning
an offensive and defensive campaign
against Germany in the field of interna-
tional trade. II is modelling the indus
trial energies Of the United Kingdom ana
Of the colonies for the purpose of re-
stricting Germany's power as competitor
after peace unshackles German industry
and releases the German merchant marine.
Whether or not Great Britain, France,
Italy. Russia. Belgium. Portugal, Serbia
and Montenegro join in Zollveren, Al
lied diplomacy will weld them together as
a unit TO resist any trade expansion which
might inure 10 Germany's benefit.
So far as regards sea-borne commerce
Germany will be at an immense disad-
vantage after peace is made. MIR. Runci-
man hints that Great Britain will close
her ports to German liners doing trans
atlantic trade. If France and Italy DO
the same the German lines between New
York and Europe will be hard hit Most
of the passengers by the northern routes
book to and from British and French
ports. while if Italian ports are closed
the Mediterranean traffic will be cut to
practically nothing.
If the war ends in Germany's defeat
the lot Of the German navigation compa-
nies will be desperate. Imagine Germany
irving to maintain a world service with
ell ports in Europe closed. except those of
the Scandinavian countries, Holland, Spain
end Turkey. and practically no base OF
operations left in Asia except the Dutch
colonies and China.
Germany's greatest privilege on the seas
has been the free use Of harbors Of the
nations with which she is now at war.
Her great transportation lines have been
built up through the utilization Of termi-
nal facilities offered her by Great Britain,
France and Italy She has sought in every
way to avoid a rupture with ltalv because
Italy has long served her a a maritime
ase. If she is shut out Of Egypt as well
as Italy, her last hold or The Mediter
ranean trade is gone. Her liners. except
those to the two Americas, will become
N wanderers on the face of the seas.
ID Germany was justified, in the main, in
the valuation she put on the military
strength Of her opponents. Her own re
sources were superior. But she grossly
underestimate the value Of the maritime
superiority Of the Allies and tac havoc
which it would play with her prospects
throughout the war and after the war.
Sea power is a moose in which land power
has more than once been stranged
So it will be again. Germany may win
campaigns and conquer enemy territory.
But she cannot thus end the war or secure
her future after the war. She viii have
70 face crushing war conditions even after
she obtains peace. 1t will be years after
lostilities cease before she can expect to
recover from the economic as well as the
military effects of the world struggle into
which she over confidently rushed.