The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-06-14
PEACE AND PRussIANIsM WILL
NEVER HARMoNIzE, SAYS
CABINET OFFICER.
AID FOR RULING CLASS
CAUSES OF WAR WERE SIMPLY
THE GERMAN DESIRE FOR
WORLD DOMINION.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Schenectady. N Y.-"Prussianism
and the idea of enduring peace among
nations can never be brought into har-
mony; compromise cannot even be
considered" Robert Lansing secretary
of state, declared here In an address
as honorary chancellor of Union Col
lege for 1918. Instance after instance
from his own experience at the head
of Americas foreign office were cited
to prove his point because, he assert
ed, Americans, even those intellectu-
ally equipped, have but vague ideas Of
the attitude which made Prussianism
possible.
1T is a fact. not generally known"
said Secretary Lansing, that within
six weeks after the imperial govern
ment had, in the case of the Sussex,
given this government its solemn
promise that 1t would cease ruthless
slaughter upon the high seas. Count
Bernstorff. appreciating the worthless
ness of the promise, asked the Berlin
foreign office to advise him In ample
time before the campaign of submarine
murder was renewed, in order that he
might notify the German merchant
ships in American ports to destroy
their machinery. because he anticipat-
ed that the renewal OF that method Of
warfare would. in all probability. bring
the United States into the war.
How well the ambassador knew
the character Of his government and
how perfectly frank he was. He asked
for the information without apology
or indirection. The very bluntness OF
his message shows he was sure his su-
periors would not take offense at the
assumption that their word was value
less and had only been given to gain
time and that, when an increase of
Germany's submarine fleet warranted,
the promise would be broken without
hesitation or conjunction. What a
commentary on Bernstorffs estimate
of the sense of honor and good faith
of his government
in view of this spirit OF hypocrisy
and bad faith, manifesting an entire
lack of conscience. we ought not to be
astonished that the Berlin foreign Of
flee never permitted a promise or
treaty engagement to stand in the
way OF course of action which the
German government dsemed expedi-
emit.
Il need not cite as proof Of this fact
the fragrant violations Of the treaty
neutralizing Belgium and the recent
treaty of Brest-Litovck. This discred-
table characteristic OF German for
eign policy was accepted by German
diplomats as a matter of course and
as a natural, II not praiseworthy
method OF dealing with other govern
ments."
The causes OF the war, Mr.. Lansing
said. were simply the German desire
for world dominion.
THAT was and is the central
thought Of Prussianism," he said. "It
excited the cupidity OF the governing
and wealthy classes Of the empire; 1t
dazzled with its anticipated glories
and by its promise of boasted ra-
cial superiority the German millions
who were to be the instrument of
achievement. With devotion and
zeal worthy of better cause, they
turned their energy into those chan
nels which would aid the ruling
class"
I'VE must go on with the war.
There is no other way. This task
must not be left half DONE We must
not transmit to posterity a legacy of
blood and misery. We may in this
great conflict go down into the valley
of shadows, because our foe is power
full and Injured to war. We must be
prepared to meet disappointment and
temporary reverses, but we must. with
American spirit. rise above them; with
courageous hearts We must go forward
until this. war is won"