Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-11-15
sy EDWARD W. PICARD.

an overpowering greed for world
domination, started the Great War.
Democracy, inspired with decency
aud common sense, ended it.
.'AIl 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 II was made by the military
class Of Germany, 1t 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 aud the formation of the German
empire the ruling classes of Germany
had been assiduously preparing for
the mighty struggle that began In
1914. Secretly ut times. with brazen
frankness at others, they laid their
plans, built up their mighty military
machine. extended their espionage sys-
tenn 70 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 boastfulness and legitimate
trade competition.
Germany's plan was nothing less
than an enormous conspiracy to es-
fablish what the conspirators knew as
"Mittel Europa" dominion extend.
ing from the North sea to the Persian
gulf. As prelimlnaries, 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 Ready-Made.
Merely an excuse was needed to
precipitate the conflict. and this was
afforded on June %. 1914, by the as
sassination Of Archduke Ferdinand of
Austria and his wife in Saraievo BOs-
MIA, by Serbian. That this crime
was inspired to serve as a pretext Is
evidenced by the fact that everything
WAS prepared a few days in advance
for putting the German military ina
chine in motion, Austria, under or
ders from Berlin, made demands on
Serbia TO which no self-respectlng ma
ton could submit, and on July 2S de-
clared war on its nelghbor. Russia, as
ally Of and sponsor for Serbia, mo-
biiized Its armies at once, despite the
protests of Germany, whereupon the
kaiser declared war or Russia.
France, being in offensive and defens-
I've alliance with Russia. was com
PEELED to mobilize, and the kaiser's
armed forces got into action at once.
The course of events SO far had been
foreseen by the German high com
mand and II was In accordance with
It's prearranged plan, which was to
crush France by a swift advance on
Paris, sand then 10 turn about and
make an end Of Russtas military re-
eistance.
On August 2 German troops entered
France at Grey and began moving
through Luxembourg, despite the spir-
tied protests of the grand duchess,
and 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 kingdoms.
All :iis time Great Britain had
been striving TO avert the outbreak of
a general war, and Germany rested
complacently on the information of
her spies that the BIZ dish would not
enter into the conflict. But Berlin
reckoned without the British spirit of
fair play and faithfulness to treaties
and when the kaiser tore up the
"serap of lslper" and invaded Belgium
Great Britain jumped to the rescue.
Her mighty fleet was modified and
her army, pitifully small began NOV.
Ing across the channel. Then events
came with dazing rapidity. One af-
ter another the nations fell into line
against the Germans and Austro-Hun-
garlans but the TeutonS were ready
and the others, except France, were
not
The Invasion of Belgium.
On August began one of the most
shameful chapters in the history of
the world--the rape of Belgium. King
Albert and his heroic little army re-
sisted to their utomst, but the suppoS-
eddy impregnable forts of Liege, Ma
muir and other Belgian towns were
speedily reduced by the Hun cannon
and the land and its people We're made
captive. The atrocities committed by
the Germans, officers and privates
alike will remain blot on the name
of Germany to the end of all time
The world has been so well informed
concerning those brutal crimes that il
is unnecessary TO recapitulate them
Having Overrun all but narrow
strip Of Belgium. the Hun armies be
gan what Berlin fondly believed was
10 be q triumphal march to Paris
EnglJfa'S little regular army was
thrown across their path and fought
al, 20, 10, Ia