Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-11-28
THE INTEREST Of AMERICA
IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR
BY Frank J. Goodnow,

President Johns Hopkins University.
Paris in three weeks, London in
three months, New York in three
years, was the accepted German pro-
gram.
The Pan-German propaganda which |
had been going on for the last 25
years proved beyond the peradyenture
OF a doubt that teh only reason why |
the attempt had not been made be-
fore to realize the grandiose concep- |
ton of German world domination is TO
be found in the fact that those respon.
sibIe for it were not ready. The day
had not yet come. But in August,
1914, 1t was believed that the hour had
struck. A short aggressive and sue
cessful war and the dream OF cen
turtles would be a reality. Paris in
three weeks. London in three months,
Now York in three years was the &C.
cepted German program.
That the Germans might thus dream
of world domination we may possibly
comprehend. But that the German
people should be willing to resort 10
the practices OF which they have been
shown to be guilty in order to realize
their dream was hardly to be believed.
They have. however, under Prussian
Influence, adopted a philosophy of life
which makes it impossible for other
nations and peoples to coeXist on
terms OF equality. The pride indicated
in the classic boast OF Roman citizen
ship IL almost abject humility when
compared with the belief Of the mod
ern Germans in their superiority to
other peoples. For the Roman was
willing so long as his political power
was recognized to permit conquered
races TO live in a condition of at least
an approximation to social and econo-
mic equality. Teh modern German,
however, declares with n contemptu-
GUS frankness all non.Teutonic civil.
cation to be unworthy Of perpetuation
and announces his intention to dis
perse its degenerate followers to those
parts of the earth where they will
least interfere with the spread OF
Deutsche Kultur. To him the Teutons
are the people chosen of God to re
dee mthe world. Those who resist
the will of God are quality OF impiety
and for them no fate is too hard. Will
them no engagement however sacred
need be kept. No means is too vile
to resort to II II Is thought to aid II
the Accomplishments OF the divine pur
pose. Never since the times of thu
Old Testament has nation so de
spised Its nelghbors as to the German!
of this day and hour. We must e
back to the days of Assyria and Rom,
to find examples OF such trcatmcn
OF subjugated peoples as modern
German policy presents. Either Ger
many must be taught TO see the erro
OF her ways or we non. Germans mus
reconcile Ourselves to become the sub
m'ssive slaves OF German masters
The fate OF Belgium and northern
France may well be ours.
But detestable as the German phil
osophy OF life Is, no one can doubt tn,
triumphs of Teutonic efficiency. Prob
ably never nthe history OF the human
race has SO large body of men be
come capable Of such efficient actor
Ms has Germany in recent year
From a scientific point of view. iron
military point of view, from an ecc
nomic point or view, from socia
point Of view, Germany has show
great strength. Opposed by almost tn
entire world she Is still unconqueret
To teach her the lesson sic must b
taught will require the devotion OF al
the power OF those allied against hel
The non.German world Ia, then, a
the present time confronted by an nd
versary who combines unboundlng am
bItion and insufferable arrogance will
unexampled efficiency and unscrupu
lousness without limit. We Ameri
cans, far removed as we are from tn,
scene OF Germany's frst efforts to re
allze her ambitions. form an important
part of the non.Teutonic world. We
must not luiI ourselves into security
becaues OF the remoteness OF our geo
graphical situation or the pacific char.
acter OF our purposes. The Germans
OF the present day despise our en-.
pacity, envy our prosperity, and are
not inclined TO comply with our desire
TO pursue The even tenor OF our ways
In the continents which we have col
Dnized and developed.
We have further In German preten.