Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-22

apparent early In the war. md the
eagerness with which, Germany sedxed
the opportunity thus presented Y
pointed to as emphasizing the far
sightedness OF the German plans.
| Hold Austria Hungary.
Austra-Hungary's submission now
is declared to be completes, both in
military and economic eense. The
German officers commanding her
armies, abetted by political and indus
trial agents scattered thru the country
by Germany, evidently are holding the
Austrian and Hungarian populations
in a union which neither the hardships
Of war, the death OF the emperor nor
the inspiration Of outside influences
such as the Russian revolution, can
break.
Bulgaria's declaration OF war on the
side of Germany was actuated by q
German diplomatic coup which IN It
self Is regarded now as a further eV1-
dence that a clear road thru to the
Dardanelles was considered In Berlin
as primary and imperative purpose
of the war.
1t Is pointed out that the only con-
crete cause for action set forth IN the
Bulgarian war proclamation 1s that
the central powers have promised us
parts of Serbia. creating an Austro-
Bulgarian border line" Creation OF
such a junction, now we'll established
by the Austro- German Bulgarian ar
mics, breaks down hitherto formid-
able barrier to German expansion
southeastward.
Turkey Under Control.
In the case of Turkey, German
domination is believed here to be even
more complete than In Austria Hun
gary and Bulgaria. Not only have
German officers led in defending Turk
ish territory and in Graduating inhar-
monious elements such as the Armeni-
ans and Syrians. but 1t has been
learned that German industrial organ
izers have taken a firm grip on Turk
ish industry, and large delegation OF
German professors has been sent 20
spread Germanic kultur among the
population.
These developments throw new
light on many" events before the war.
Among them is the long unexplained
declaration of Emperor William at
Damascus in 1898 that all Mohamme-
dams might confidently regard the
German emperor as their friend for
ever" There also is a complete under
standing now of Ger1nany's eagerness
to secure in 1899 concession for the
Bagdad railroad, an artery of COM
munication now Indispensable to the
German operations.
All Obstacles Overcome.
Fitting in squarely with an actuat'
ing desire for conquest to the south
east IS the genera, German iii.as:r;
policy during the entire war. 1t Is
noted that even at the expense OF re-
cessions on the eastern and western
fronts Germany has taken pains tn
overrun quickly Serbia, Montenegro
and Roumania, and to keep In check
all allied attempts to strike at the
southeastern pathway from the OAR
denelles or Salonild Not until the
present British advance In Asiatic Tur-
key has there been any serious danger
to any part Of the greater stretch from
the Baltic to the Persian Gulf.
In consolidating this territory. 1t Is
revealed, the economic element has
been given q conspicuous place. This
work was going on before the war,
although it had not reached . matur-
ity comparable with the economic eff
fort by which Prussia bound the Ger
man states in the customs union Of
1888. forty years before she brought
them under the empire.
A comprehension Of the present dam
ger prompted tho allied economic con-
terence at Paris. whore Nplans were
made for meeting the German trade
war after the war.
Plans Customs Union.
1t Is problemetical to officials here
how far Germany might 30. should
peace be made now. with remuneration
Of all territory on the east and west.
in political consolidation of the great
territory in the southeast
It la pointed ont that any German
peace offer would be expected to de-
mand at least some expansion for Bull
garia and retention OF enough for the
conquered Balkan territory to insure
the route to constantinople.
That 1t Is tho intention to bring
Austria Hungary. Bulgaria and Turkey
into customs union. Germanizing
their industries, and to surround the
whole economic entity thus establ-
lished with formidable tariff wall,
has been made clear by the declara-
tons Of Friedrich Naumann and other
opponents Of an economic Mittel Eu-
rOpa.
Want Joint chanesiIory.
Some influential men Of this group
even have suggested that Germany go
so far Immediately az to establish
Joint chancellory for Germany. Aus
tria and Hungary to conduct foreign
affairs.
All of this 10 taken a. revealing the
peril of premature peace which
would leave the German southeastern
domains unbroken.
The disclosures are regarded as CIV
ing a sinister color to recent move
ments for q separate peace for Aus
tria Hungary or Bulgaria, in the re-
- No.