East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-06-04

! oyster and she win open it. But the
other nations of the world decline the
role of remaining mere inert material for
absorption or domination by Germany.
Any one who has followed European
diplomacy since the Franco-Prussian war.
and especially since the twentieth cen
tury opened, will be impressed with the
evidence on every side of Germany's in
tention to dictate to Europe. Her great
military power inspired fear, and the
dread of = generri war generally brought
about concessions in her favor. This is
the way in which she aided Austria Hun
gary in the annexation of Bosnia and
Herzeeoyina, and this is the way in which
in 1914 She thought to bring about the
subjection of Serbia. thus opening up
road direct from Berlin through Belgrade
to Constantinople and Bagdad.
This time, however. Russia felt her In
tore is in the Balkans too vital to be
ignored, and Germany's final step in the
plan TO establish her ascendency in mid
hEurope precipitated the world war. The
German government claims that 1t en-
deavored to avoid war. and 1t Is prob
ably a general belief among the German
people that the Emperor wns in 1911
laverse to war Men and governments
must. however, be Judged not by their
sayings but by their actions, and the
grnvamen of the indictment against Ger
many Is that even If she wished to avoid
war the one condition on which she was
willing TO preserve peace was that be
should be allowed to dictate 70 the other
rat; Of Europe the condit' rs on which
tbat peaca could be maintained. The pre-
dominance of Germany in Euro" -'"a Ms
the predominance of Germanr In the
world. Once attaiu~d no natior in Euron"
Asia 1r America would be immdne rom
m, ageressions of such exorhitant a; ~
In wless mower We Americans have join Il
in the fight against German domination
The isspe at stake is indeed the sccnriiy
of our Republic, but it is no less the Sc
curity of evc-v other nation in the ToTlG.
Conditions of Peace.
| see that Won Bethmann-TIollwee re
Gently refused to instruct the Reirhsta s.
by laying before it the terms Of peace
TO he dema nded by the German govern
ment. They may think this matter ofI
Importance in Germany. but for us il isl
not Of the slightest consequence. I'he su
preme condition on which She United
States and the European Powers who are
waging war against Germany can consent
to peace is the thorough defeat Of Ger
many. She must be compelled TO cvncn
ate Northeastern France. Belgium and
tire other arie1 territories which
: ~ forces now occupy. The r~~'if at''
Of the war map o. Europe 10 the intsrc II
of the Allies Is the first task to which
they must address themselves. aud there
sIn be no~peacs worth while until that
task has been accomplished. War Is aui
appeal TO arms. The first business II the
United States and her European allies IS
to overcome the military power Of Ger
many and "ar rors.derates.
The second conditi,4s of r-~cc Is to put
:he suhma rine out Of business rs an in |
Of war. The submarine can
iIot be used 10 war without viola ting the
practices. rules. laws and principles which
Christian civilization has slowly and
established for the restraint Of
bellie-rents and 'he prn'oction Of neutrais
ind nOn-combatants in time Of war. mol
nation Is more interested in the preserva-
ion Of international Law and In the de
'ence Of the rights OF neutrals than the
United States Of America We cannotl
ifford. therefore. to close the war until
We have driven from the ocean the pirate
Ind assassin submarine.