The state herald., 1917-06-22

could be overwhelmed BY force, 40
their natural tools and instruments Of
domination. Their purpose has long
been avowed.
The demands made by Austria upon
Serbia were mere single step In
plan which compassed Europe and
Asia, from Berlin to Bagdad. They
hoped those demands might not arouse
Europe, but they meant to press them
whether they did or not, for they
thought themselves ready for the final
Issue Of arms.
Vast Empire Planned.
Their plan was to throw n broad belt
of German military power and political
control across the very center of Eu-
rope and beyond the Mediterranean in
to the heart of Asia; and Austria-Hun-
gary was to be us much their tool and
pawn MS Serbia or Bulgaria or Turkey
or the ponderous states Of the East.
The dream had Its heart at Berlin. It
could have had heart nowhere else!
1t rejected the idea Of solidarity Of
race entirely. The choice Of peoples
played no part in It at all. They ar.
IDENTIFY desired to direct their own af-
fairs, would be satisfied only by undis-
puted independence. They could be
kept quiet only by the presence or the
constant threat Of armed men. The
German military statesmen had reck-
oned with all that and were ready to
deal with It in their own way.
And they have actually carried the
|sgreater part of that amazing plan into
execution! Look how things stand.
Austria Is Mt their mercy. 1t has acted,
not upon Its own initiative or upon the
choice of its own people, but at Ber-
Inns dlctation ever since the war be-
gan. Its people now desire peace, but
cannot have 1t until leave is granted
from Berlin. The so-called central
powers nre In fact but single power.
Serbia is Mt its mercy, should its hands
be but for moment freed. From
Hamburg to the Persian gulf the net
is spread.
Why Berlin Seeks Peace.
Is 1t not easy to understand the eag-
erness for peace that has been mani
tested from Berlin ever since the snare
was set and sprung? Peace, peace,
peace has been the talk Of her foreign
office for now n year and more; not
peace upon her own Initiative. but up
on the initiative of the nations over
which she now deems herself to hold
the advantage. Through nll sorts of
channels 1t has come to me. and I'm nll
sorts of gulses, but never with the
terms disclosed which the German gov
ernment would be willing TO accept.
part Of France, though with slowly re-
lnxing grasp. and practically the whole
Of Belgium. 1t cannot go further; It
dare not go back. 1t wishes to close
Its bargain before It Is too late and It
hns little left to offer for the pound of
6esh 1t will demand.
The military masters under whom
Germany is bleeding see very clearly
to what point Fate has brought them.
II they fall back or are forced back
an inch, their power both abroad and
Mt home will fall to pieces like q
house Of cards. II they can Sc
cure peace now with the immense ad-
vnntages still In their hands which
they have up to this point apparently
gained. they will hnve justified them
selves before the German people: they
will have gained by force what they
promised to gain by It: an immense
expansion Of German power, an i'm
mense enlargement Of German indus
trial and commercial opportunities. II
they fail, their people will thrust them
aside: n government accountable TO
the people themselves will be set. up
In Germany rs II has been In England.
In the United States, In France. and
In nll the great countries Of the mod.
ern time except Germany. II they sue
ceed they are safe and Germany and
the world nre undone; II they fnil Ger
many Is saved and the world will be at
peace. II they succeed. we and all
the rest Of the world must remain
armed. as they will remain. and must
make rcady for the next step of az
gression: II they full. the world may
unite for peace. and Germany may be
OF the union.
Seek to Deceive World.
The present particular aim Of the
masters Of Germany In to deceive all
those who throughout the world stand
for the rights Of peoples md the self
government of nations: for they see
what immense strength the forces OF
justice md OF liberalism are gathering
out Of this wnr.
The sinister Intrigue Is being no less
actively conducted In this country thnn
In Russin and In every country In Eu-
rope TO which the agents and dupes Of
tho imperial German government can
get access.
United States In War for Freedom.
The great fnct that stands out above
all the rest In that this II n Peoples
war. war for freedom and Justice md
sclf.govcrnmcnt amongst NIL the mn.
u