New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-10

past, ana Is III line WlLn IushldH pOA-
icy followed in the wars of 1866 and
1870 which whetted their appetite for
indemnities, monetary as well as terri
torial
"The opening scene of the last act
was in complete harmony with the best
Bismarckian tradition. After months
of careful preparation the moment had
arrived TO make the next move, to force
the United States of America TO step
into the place, 10 play the role as
signed her by Wilhelm g. Co., Of Berlin.
Ever careful TO save appearances IN
even supposedly secret moves, they pre-
pare for the eventuality of the entrance
of the United States into the war by
the Zimmerman bid for Mexican and
japanese cooperation against us.
"Since the beginning OF 1915 you
will find practically no reference IN
the German or Austro- Hungarian press
to the United States of an apprecative
or complimentary character, in spite of
the fact that American diplomatic and
consular officers in the warning coun-
tries we're working most earnestly and
generously 10 care for German and
Austro-Hungarian interests. The tens
of thousands of civilian and military
prisoners in France, England, Russia
and Serbia owe an untold debt of graft
tude TO America.
Prepared People for War
"Gratuitous service all of it! Still,
in spite of this, frequent TRADES
against this country were published,
and everything possible was done 70
prepare the people of Germany. and
Austria for the eventual state of war
with the United States.
IL find that even in our own country
they have endeavored TO create the I'M
preston that American officials in the
Entente countries were derellct in their
duties. What in reality they demanded
was not neutral service; they attempted
10 force on our officials whole-hearted
espousal of the German cause, and
hoped TO realize their aims by operat-
ing through their partisans in the
United States. o.,
Zone hears various statements with
regard 70 the causes which brought on
this world conflict. To my mind, the
present crisis in our history is an IN
stance where the vital interests of the
United States are brought into colli-
sion with those of the German Empire
and il depends upon us whether or not
the logical development of our country
shall be arrested at this point. for that
is what will surely happen should the
German arms prevail.
zone of the most striking character
istics in the development of Continent
tai nations is their progress toward the
open sea. Imagine what difference II
would have made in Russia's story OF
the present war had she possessed a
mort either on the Atlantic or on the
Mediterranean Sea.
"All that was necessary to shut Rus
STA in was to cork up the Baltic and the
Black Sea. and she was reduced 10 a
long, thin line of railway across Siberia
for her supplies. Had the Dardanelles
been open 10 her she would have sent
her grain TO the European markets,
which would probably have prevented
the present food shortage in Europe,
and she would have got munitions into
the country; whereas, the lack of mu-
nitions forced the great retreat in the
year 1915, and quantities of grain
leaked through into the Central En-
pires.
Even before Italy came into the war
il was practically impossible TO induce
merchant ships to come into the Adri-
attic, the insurance companies fatty re-
fusing TO take the risks on account of
the mines which had got loose in that
long, narrow sea.
Gets North Sea Outlet
"Now for Germany. 1t seems to me
that the history of Prussia is exactly
parallel TO that of many corporation,
particularly those which throve in this
country some years ago before they
oh
the law. They absorbed their competi-
tors, by purchase whenever possible,
but if not, they ruthlessly destroyed
them and annexed their commercial ter
ritory.
with the determination of acquir-
ing an outlet to the North Sea, Prus-
STA exploited the unimportant ques-
ton of the duchies to such advantage
that while a British pacifist Ministry
looked supinely on, deaf to Russia's
appeal for combined action, Schleswig
and Holstein were, with Austria's re-
/ luctant assistance, wrested from Den
/ mark in the war of "a, thereby gain
/ ing Kiel and a strip Of the North
/ Sea coast-the entry of Germany into
/ the field of world commerce, the foun-
/ dation of German sea power.
The results of the consolidation of
/ 1870 having proved so satisfactory, the
time had arrived in the summer OF
1914, in the opinion of the then d.
rectors of the Prussian Trust, TO take
the next step toward its logical devel-
/ opment. Bismarck had brought about
the great consolidation. but he had
I not succeeded in acquiring absolute
control Of all the commercial outlets
20 the sea. Holland and Belgium still
remained TO be acquired.
"Once arrived at the North Sea they
faced England, and then it would be
necessary, from their point of view,
/ either to smash England to make il
\ impossible for her TO shut Germany
in by blockading the Channel and the
/ North Sea, or to acquire a port on
/ the Atlantic south of the Channel
/ They likewise cast covetous eyes on
the mines in Belgium and Northern
. France.
British Halt Prussian Plan
Now, the plan 10 be realized in the
West was, in short, TO possess them
, selves of the mines in Belgium and in
Northern France and to acquire the
coast as far down as Havre. 1t was
/ here that the British interfered with
I the Prussian plans. They seemed con-
WINGED for some unknown reason that
Great Britain would not enter the wal
/ for at least a month or more after
4 its outbreak, and you can readily
/ imagine what would have been the
reqult had the British remained quiet