Denver labor bulletin., 1918-07-13


declared war upon Germany, August
%, 1914.
The open violation of Belgian neu-
trality gave the three opposing ma
tions-England, France and Russia
the sympathy Of the world, as coun-
tries fighting for sacred principles of
treaty rights. Japan, being allied
with England by treaty after the Rus
so-Japanese war, followed with her
declaration of war on Germany. Por-
tugal had never been friendly with
Germany, and on March 9, 1916, for
mally entered the conflict. Italy, a
having been drawn in by German
diplomacy, Joined the allies after great
effort to remain neutral. She relieved
herself of her German ally upon the
ground that Austria's acts had been
aggressive, and that the purpose Of
the triple alliance was to unite de-
fensively if attacked. This reasoning
reflected the idea Of the peoples Of
the world as well as of Italy-that
Austria had forced the war as the
agent Of Germany. The little country
of San Marine followed suit. In the
Balkan states, Roumania and Monte
negro stayed by their ally, Serbia,
while Bulgaria and Turkey showed
their true colors in joining with Aus
tria and Germany, and thus keeping
Russia and Serbia. This was the line
up of the world war in the opening
of the year of our Lord 1917.
Policies of Bismarck.
The cause of the war was probably
definitely started with the policies of
Bismarck on militarism in bringing
hn Cd 10
ership of European politics. Bismarck
believed in war, and in armed peace,
and the shorter the peace and the
longer the war the more united the
people. Der Vaterland was ever in
his mind. and he encouraged this as
more fundamentally necessary than re-
ligion or right. He believed in a ma
tional spirit that would blindly lead
the people under the rule of the ruler.
He was jealous u England, distrust-
full of Russia, hated France, looked
down on Austria and cajoled Italy;
but he loved Germany and was ambi-
tious for her. Under his regime the
military machine of Germany was per-
fected. And from then on the So
called Shining armor" policy guided
German destinies. The Austro- Prus-
sian war was the first big victory for
expansion of power, and resulted in
the unity of the two powers. The
Franco-Prussian war again brought
victory to German arms and again ac-
complished the object of Bismarck,
which was to humiliate France. Later
we find the German war policy prog
ressing and taking form in the triple
alliance, which brought over Italy in
a diplomatic triumph. France and
Russia viewed this with alarm, and
formed the dual entente, of which we
have seen the results in the opening
of the war of 1914.
Tide of Militarism.
We have reviewed the outstanding
results of German policy since Bis
marks time, but there were hundreds
of smaller incidents which showed
plainly the drift of the tide of Ger
| man militarism. 1t was like a grow
The boy that killed the archduke in
the street of Serajevo, only brought
to flame smoldering heap, that had
been collecting for years, and it had
| an unmistakable "Made in Germany"
! scent to it. In 1898 the shining ar
NOR" policy was seen in our own late
unpleasantness with Spain, in the Ma
Mia bay incident. Here actual inter-
vention on SPANS behalf. by the Ger
man fleet, was only prevented by Eng
lands fleet steaming into the bay and
clearing her decks for action. Later
Germany distinctly gave United
| States to understand that she did not
like Roosevelt's policy in the Panama
canal, but in both these incidents the
boiling pot of war only dubbed over
| and the lid did not come off. In 1908
Germany supported Austria in her
| lawless annexation of couple of Bal
kan states, and succeeded in soaring
Russia off by show Of ready battle.
The world had warning of Germany's
preparedness, and all that was lack
ing was the date of commencement of
| war.
| Kaiser's Cult of Might.
! Let US now turn to the growing SEN
timent of the German people for war
and conquest and see where they were
being educated. Nietzsche, the great
German materialist, appealed to the
thinking classes with his argument for
gross materialism and cult of might.
Trietschke, the historian, taught his
people that war was holy thing, to