The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-06-09
hi "MITTELEUROPA"

In Germany there has been a running and bitter debate
over the aims and ends of the government. in the war. On the
one side are the pan-Germanists-the men who believe in an
all-(ermany, a Germany over al-and on the other the social
democrats who are opposed to annexation and indemnities.
The pan-Germans have repeatedly demanded from the chancel-
Tor, Won Bethmann-Holweg, to know the position of the gov
eminent on these matters. What are they fighting for? Is
it to give up what has been won with blood They insist that
they must have the assurance that nothing will be given up,
and they are insisting under threats of revolution. Won
rindenburg belongs to the p~an-German party. SO does the
crown prince, while the kaiser and his chancellor are trying
to hold such debates in allegiance, pending the outcome of the
war.
They have not given up the dream of a Mitteleuropa = a
Teutonic empire from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, and
into Asia to the warm waters of the Persian gulf. That is why
the war was commenced in Serbia, for Serbia has lain across
the path of empire. The dream includes Belgium and Holland
and the Baltic provinces of Russia, including all the northern
sea coasts of Europe.
For the allied nations now combating German dominion
as we'll as German theories of government, this Mitteleuropa is
a pregnant issue. No peace that leaves Germany the master
of such areas of Europe and Asia would be a safe or a lasting
peace. A Germany so constituted would be the perpetual
menace of the world. 1t would mean Germany astride of
Europe and athwart Asia. All nations would have to pay
tribute to such an empire. 1t would define liberty and dictate
policies throughout the world. Compared with this Mittel-
europa the British empire would be a thing of sherds and
patches. 1t would be Deutschland uber alles-Germany over
all. Once firmly established the rest of the world could hardly
overthrow it. It would be compact and it would be efficient
and it would be a terror.
The dsintegration Of that dream, that is the supreme duty
of the allied nations. This war would be a failure for hui
manty and for liberty, for the United States as much as for
France. if that realization is not .thWarted.
This is for America a problem as well as for Europe
America would never be at ease, never in a state of mental or
moral peace. and the liberties to which the government is dedi-
Gated would be forever in jeopardy, as long as the proposed
colossus stood astride two continents, brisling with steel at
every point and with Krupp guns pointed at every throat.
Those who still think this is a petty contest over ships or
commerce, or growing out of racial antipathies, are mistakine
he momentous times in which they are living, misinterpreting
the trend of all history. This is Armageddon, indeed. Ali
nations are fighting for the right to exist and all peoples for
their liberties as against a military machine that seeks to
dominate the world, a machine that has no conscience and nc
morals. "WOrld dominion or DOWNFALL" cried the prophet OF
Germany before the war. We among others have dedicated
ourselves to the proposition that it shall not be world dominion