Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-04-10
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1917.
GERMANS LATEST GREAT BLUNDE,R
n Galveston News)

Galveston News)
IL one may believe the Berlin news
papers, the entrance Of the United States
into the war occasions no deeper emotion
than one of regret in such Germans as in
dulge themselves in the luxury of senti-
c They declare, rather too loudly to
give the statement the ring of sincerity.
that we can not do them more injury as
a ~belligerent than we have done them a
a neutral.
OF course all such declarations are de-
signed to quiet the apprehensions of the
German people. The argument is made in
the censor's office. If one could suppose
that those who made it believe it, one would
find n self made contradiction in the fur
Their assurance that the advent of the
United States will nave only the effect of
prolonging the war without lessening the
certainty of Germany's victory. For the
time is now more than ever the nemesis
of the German hope. Every day that the
war continues somewhat tightens the coils
ABOUT Germany, and even ii the action of
the United States accomplished no more
than TO prolong the war, it would double
the certainty of Germany's defeat.
But the statement that the advent OF
the United States will nave no worse effect
than to p~rolong the war must tax even the
trained credulity of the German people.
Already it has probably had the effect of
rendering futile all the plans which Ger
many had made in the hope Of selucing
Russia into a separate peace, and lis evil
IDENTIFY had begun To count much on that
scheme. That greater hope which Ger
many had staked on the submarine cam
paign must nave been blighted by our decis-
ion, and at least the German general staff
knows that, whiting six months at most,
the United States can send to the western
battle front an army of sufficient size to
be the decisive force, if the decision i to
be wholly a military one. Thus time will
not only sap the strength Of the Germans,
but accumulate the force arrayed against
them. Every day makes Germany weaker
Its ienemies stronger. When, in addition.
the great increment Of moral force which
the enemies of Germany have received
from our decision is considered, it can
hardly be thought exaggerative TO say that
the advent of the United States into the
war not only hastens the end of it, but more
certainly DEGREES the utter vanquishment of
Germany.
The kaiser and his counselors, we NAV
be sure, appreciate how surely the decis-
ion of the United States dooms their cause,
They are very far from feeling the conf
dence with which the newspapers try to
inspire the German people.
The fact that Germany has so long pur-
sued a course that could lead to no other
end may seem to support the view that
Germany was Indifferent toward the Unit
ed States. Certainly it, provocative and
c~ontemptuous attitude does seem 10 give
some appearance of sincerity To its present
profession of unconcern. But the explain
ation lies in another quarter. The pro-
vOcative course of Germany has not sicni-
fled a contempt for the power, but for the
spirit of the United States. Among the
many ~monupental blunders Germany has
committed, not the least has been its per-
suasion that the United States would STAY
out OF the war, despite any provocations it
might receive.
Like all other German conclusions. Il
was reached in a perfectly logical way. and
If it is refuted by the event. it is because,
as is also characteristic of Germany. il nj
terly misconceived the character Of this
country. Ii is the victim of a delusion
such as egotism is always subject to. Ger
many took note of the pacific disposition
of his country, as evidenced by its leader
ship in the cause of arbitration and by its
forbearance toward Mexico. To a govern
ment such as hat of Germany, which
makes conquest and domination the end of
craftsmanship, the infinite patience we
have shown toward Mexico could only sig