Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-27
The New Map OF Europe.

Kansas City Etar.
Tho remaking OF the map OF
Europe, presently to take place be-
fore the eyes OF the world, will be
the first general reconstruction OF
boundaries in something more than
a century. As to how different a
process II will be, in method and
principle. we have only to glance
at the work OF the Congress OF Vlen-
ma to understand.
That congress assembled in Sop.
tember. 1914. and continued until
June, 1915. Its purpose was to undo
the work OF Napoleon. In principle
II was reactionary, its aim being the
restoration. not necessarily OF the
boundaries that had existed before
the coWuests of Napoleon, nor even
OF the kinds he had dethroned, but
OF the balance of power, the dynastic
sway OF Hapsburg, HohenZolleEn and
Romanoff and the vicious system of
the chancellories that had regarded
nationalities and territories as the
pawns OF an exclusive game played
by kings under the rules OF Machja-
velli and the guidance of masters
like Metternich.
Actuated by such designs and ami
mated by Jealousy, greed and un-
bounded suspicion the allied kings
approached their task in'the spirit
OF sordid brokers. bargaining barter
Ing and forming secret combinations
to blk each other. The demands OF
Austria, Prussia and Russia could
scarcely be reconciled. They had he
fore them on the counter the rich
spoils relinQuished by France, in
cluding states now within the Ger
man empire, Belgium. many OF the
Italian states. some Swiss cantons
and the Duchy OF Warsaw territories
containing more than 30.000.000 peo-
pie. Yet so conflicting were the de-
mands that II seemed probable an
other war might be the result OF the
semble. Russia and Prussia paired
off against Austria and England.
and even France. although she was
the goose that was being plucked,
managed to form secret compact
with these OF her conquerors to re-
sist the car and the Prussian king
to the extent, II necessary, OF de-
claring war on them.
The partitioning that finally was
agreed upon gave most of the Duchy
of Warsaw to Russia, most Of Sax
ony and territory on the Rhine to
Prussia, Belgium to Holland, north
ern Italy TO Austria and widely scat
tered colonial rewards TO England.
There was no pretense that these re-
nd justments were on the lines of
nationality or even OF the status quo.
The small states of Europe were a
grab bag into which the great bow
ers put their hands and took out
what they could hold. Nor was the
division long standing. Within fif-
teen years Belgium had freed her
self from Holland, and before the
century was out the Danish, Austro-
Prussian, and the French war and
the unification OF Italy and Ger
many had made a new map.
The congress that &ill make the
reimbursement after this war will pro-
ceed upon very different principles.
Europe will not a bargain counter
nor n grabbag. The recognition by
the allies Of the Czech o. Slovak ma
ton Is an indication Of the principles
that will govern the making of the
map, New nations will appear where
Austria's patchwork structure now
shows, the old boundaries OF France
VIII reappear and a new Poland, and |
perhaps new Russian states, will
completely alter the looks OF the Bal |
tic region. But wherever the new
lines are drawn We may be sure
hey will encompass people OF like |
race and nationality. and will not
be drawn to serve tho purposes Of |
the kingcraft or the statecraft of |
the traffickerS OF the Congress Of
Vienna