Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-28
A Possible Flaw in the Chain.

A chain is only as strong as its weak
est link The chain of steel that has
been slowly tightening and steadily,
surely promising the strangulation or
Prussianism, has developed possible
flaw. That link is Russia.
The hope of autocracy now lies in
Russia-Russia that has just thrown
off the yoke Of autocracy. The danger
lies in the possible instability of the
provisional government control over an
unleashed giant whose long dormant
strength may be used without the di
rection of brains.
A writer recently predicted that the
present war would last 50 years. Who
could estimate the possibilities of the
next half century, could the Kaiser re-
alize his hope, the goal toward which
he is now undoubtedly bending every
resource, a separate peace with Russia,
the opening up to German efficiency
and the Prussian military machine of
that vast field with limitless productive
possibilities? How long after such a
contamination before we might expect
to see Russia, Japan and China, led or
dominated by Germany, confronting the
rest Of the world? Can any thinker
picture the possibilities of Prussian-
for cannon foe der:
The danger lies today in the total in
ability Ok the illiterate Slavic millions
to grasp the situation. The giant has
been told that he is free" what may
he do with his misunderstood freedom?
Every cunning of the German subter-
ranean procedure against other govern
ments and peoples will be brought into
Elay among the simple Religious fanat-
les &C Russia. Can it be intercepted
and discounted?
\ century ago Prussianism found its
feet in the principle OF universal service
without distinction Of class or right of
exemption by purchase In 1915 the
system came irto full operation and out
Ct i came Frrssia's phenomenal re-
covery from the depths OF exhaustion.
army expenditure became the nv-wheel
which steadcd her disorsanized fin
;Hce. Compulsory intercourse compelled
TIE classes to educate the masses. The
lsion between the aristocracy and The
rco3le was 50 gradual as to be ir:ens-
!'l2 but il was there, and the greatest
r'ctor in the marvellous accomplish
ent; OF every state to come under the
stem.
The Encyclopedia Britannica saws:
rs the years went by, the Prussian
.-4ltary machine was turning out year
year an embarrassing number of
IL, who by reason of the physical and
oral training they had undergone were
lad and shoulders above the class
hence they had sprung. These men
Don asserted their superiority in the
'bor mar:et and drove their weaker
comrades to the wall. The men thus
displaced. being obviously less fitted TO
'-'"1ii'"ii WIVES anu IdmllleS, found
mems elves displaced in the affections
II tic women q But the GROWING
"ealth-producine power OF the nation
cue TO the higher average physique and
power of concentration the conse-
Cuence Of military training) began to
attract the attention Of capitalists. and
an era of railway construction set in.
distributing wealth and EMPLOYMENT
about the country
That is only glimpse of the progress
or the Prussian system, but its estab
hshment in Russia and China and India
need we dwell longer upon the daz-
ing possibilities of a failure of the Rus
sian link with the world divided and
aligned as 1t is today?
Gruesome and needless FEARS wa
say, In America and England and
France-but in Germany they are
HOPES.
Elihu Root says we MUST crush
autocracy, for it is incompatible with
peace, and Mr.. Root, our great states-
man, Is going to Russia to confer with
Milukoff, Russias great statesman. Let
US nope the Slavic people may listen to
and heed Root and Milukofr.