Denver labor bulletin., 1916-12-30

The present war IN Europe, like all
modern wars, is a commercial war. Com
mcrcial competition, that is the cause
of this war Secret diplomacy, ruling
aristocracies, militarism, each had their
part in bringing about the war, but
back of all these, and in the interests
of which they exist, lies commercialism.
Diplomatists intrigue in foreign coun-
tries, and foreign offices form danger
GUS ententes and alliances; aristocracies
scheme and cast ambitious eyes on for
eign lands; militarism enslaves and
menaces; but all work in the interests
of insidous commercialism.
Fundamentally this war then is
commercial war. Many factors contrib
uted to the occasion for war, but these
factors Were not the cause of the war.
England, We are told, is at war with
Germany and its allies because the neu-
trality of Belgium was violated by Ger
many. France is fighting in self-de
fense. Russia modified her army in or
der to prevent Austria crushing Serbia.
Germany declared war on Russia because
Russia's mobilization threatened Ger
many. And so on; each of the nations
now fighting has a certain well-knOwn
excuse for so doing.
But these excuses, while they may
read well in White Books and Yellow
Books and Blue Books issued by the diff
ferent belligerent governments, cut a
pretty sorry figure when given the acid
test.
England declared war on Germany be-
cause the neutrality OF Belgium was vio-
lated by Germany, so we are told. Well,
that was good excuse to offer the
masses of Britain. 1t supplied the nee
essary idealsm, which is so necessary to
get the masses to fight. Later on it
developed that England was in this war
to crush Prussian militarism. Another
idealistic morsel for the British work
er's neutral digestion; it kept him on
the job, and supplied mental chloroform
so necessary these times of industrial
unrest.
Business Is Business"
But let us look at England's declara,
tions and see if they will stand the acid
test When Edward VII ascended the
throne of England he was not long in
realizing one important fact, and that
fact was: German commercial inter
ests conflict with British commercial in
terests. In other words, German trade
was seriously cutting down the dividends
ot English commerce. Tn the struggle
for commercial supremacy the German
trader was winning His goods wer,
captured markets which were generally
considered to be English. His Ship
called at ports where English ship
called, and the German ship often lef
the largest cargo. For, as you have NJ
doubt realized, business is business
and there is no sentiment in business.
Now, Edward VII soon realized tina
something would have to be done to pre-
vent further inroads into British mar
lsets I say Edward VII-no doubt tn
English commercial interests We're bacl
of him, they simply using him as thei
tool. For that is all kings are now a
days-the tools of the financial power
OF the nation.
But how was Germany to be deal
with There seemed to be no way o
preventing German trade entering Brit
ish markets. A law was passed in Eng
land calling for all German goods to b
stamped with 'Made in Germany" Bu
that, instead of hurting German trad
as England commercialists thought prob
able, proved a good advertisement 70
the German goods. Goods stamped witt
that mark entered England and found
ready market This crowding out o
British products proved too much 70
John Bulls capitalists. Something ha,
to be done
Asked Aid of France and Russia.
And something was done. King Ed
ward, in conjunction with a number o
representatives, of Britain's commercial
lists, hit upon scheme, and that schcm
was what is known as "isolating' Ger
many To carry out this plan it wa
necessary to have the aid of France an
Russia. Italy would also be useful, bu
not as necessary as the former.
Early in 1908 Edward VII made
visit to Paris in great pomp. "Wha