The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-11-21
HOW The WAR WAS
FOUGHT AND WON
Germany's MonStrOuS ConSpIr-
acy and Its Defeat by Forces
of Civilization.
WORLD DOMINATION SOUGHT
Americas Entrance the Decisive Fac
tor in the Mighty Struggle In
Which Democracy Triumphed
Over irresponsible Auto
cratic MiIitarism.
By EDWARD w. PlcKARo.

cratic Militarism.
BY EDWARD w. PlckARO.
Autocratic militarism, imbued with
an overpowering greed for world
domination. started the Great War
Democracy inspired with decency
and common sense, ended it.
"All wars are commercial is a say
Ing that Is true of all modern wars.
The greatest war of all time, Just end
ed. was no less so than others, for
though 1t was made by the military
class of Germany. il was for the bene-
fit of commercial Germany, for the
conquest of the trade of the world.
Ever since the defeat Of France in
1870 and the formation Of the German
empire the ruling classes Of Germany
had been aSsiduously preparing for
the mighty struggle that began in
1914. Secretly Mt times, with brazen
frankness at others, they laid their
plans, built up their mighty military
g.achine. extended their espionage Sys-
tenn TO all lands with the aid of the
business houses and the diplomats.
Though warned by more than one stu
dent of affairs, the world In general
ignored all this or looked on 1t as
merely boastfulucss and legitimate
trade competition.
Germany's plan was nothing less
than an enormous conspiracy to es-
tabish what the consprators knew as
"Alittel Europa" dominion extend
ing from the North sea to the Persian
gulf As preliminares German
princes were placed on thrones of
middle Europe wherever possible, and
financial relations were established
that gave Germany virtual control
over the coveted countries Then the
Hun autocracy impatiently awaited
The Day"
Excuse Was ReadyMade.
Merely an excuse was needed to
precipitate the conflict, and this was
afforded on June 2S, 1914, by the as
sasSiuation Of Archduke Ferdinand of
Austria and his wife in Sarajeyo, Bos-
MIA, by Serbian. That this crime
was inspired to serve AS a pretext Is
evidenced by the fact that everything
was prepared few days In advance
for putting the German military ma
chine in motion Austria, under or
ders from Berlin. made demands on
Serbia to which no sclf-rcspecting ma
lion could submit. and ON July - de-
clsrcd war on It's ncighbor. Russia, as
ally Of and sponsor for Serbia mo-
hi,izrd ITS armies at once despite the
protests of Germany, Whereupon the
kaiser declared war on Russia
France. being in offensive and deiens-
I've alliance with Russia, was com
PEELED to mobilize. and the kaiser .
armed forces got into action at once.
The course OF events so far had been
forespen 10y the German high com
mand and II was In accordance with
It's prearranged plan, which was 10
crush France by swift advance on
Paris, aud then 10 turn about ana
make an end of Russia's military re
slstanee.
on August German troops entered
France at Grey and began moving
through Luxembourg. despite the spir-
tied protests of the grand duchess,
md Berlin asked Belgium TO permit
the passage Of troops through that
country. This was refused, the king
Of Belgium appealing TO the powers
that had guaranteed the neutrality OF
his kingdom
All this time Great Britain had
been striving TO avert the outbreak OF
a general war. and Germany rested
conpacrntly on the information OF
her spies that the British would not
enter into the conflict But Berlin
reeaoned without the British spirit OF
fair play and faithfulness to treaties.
and when the kaiser tore up the
"Scrap of sper' and invaded Belgium
Great Britain jumped to the rescue
Her mighty fleet was modified anu
her army. pitifully small began mov
ing across the channel Then events
came with dazing rapldity one ar
Ter another the nations fell into line
against the Germans and Austro-IIun
guriu.s, but the Tcutons were ready
md the others, except France, were
not
The tnvasIon of Beluium.
on August began one Of the mos
shameful chapters In the history %
the world-the rape Of Belgium Kin
Albert and his heroic little army re-
sisted 10 their utomst, but the suppos
edly Impregnable forts Of Liege Ma
muir and other Belgian towns wer
speedily reduced by the Hun canno
and the land and its people were mad
captive. The atrocities committed b
the Germans, officers and private
alike. will remain blot on the nam
Of Germany TO the end Of all tim
The world has been so well informe
concerning those brutal crimes that
Is unnecessary 10 recaptulate them
Having 0yerrun all but n nurro
strip Of Belgium, the Hun armies b
gan what Berlin fondly believed WI
10 be a trlumphal march 10 Pnri
England's little regular army W.
thrown across their path and fougl
and died almost 20 man. and side
side with them the French Poilus go
tested every foot They were push'