Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-05
Germany Busy Again.

4
attack
Germany Busy Again.
For it is essential for Americans to
recognize another fact which daily
grows clearer in Europe Germany
is again beginning the process of
relntesration. and the first signs are
Iar from encouraging. In defeat as
N victory the German remains a
Thing totally distinct from the west
sern natiphs, WiieEA he was arrogant
ne Is NOW humble. but Ii lis the I'M :
mint ~ fhe hypocfite HIS mental
processes remain incomprehensfbIe.
sm,ike sud ns French IN 1871 unlike men
VAT he does not meet defeat with
rigid muscles and unbending spirit.
* Oh the contrary, he Chimes, fawns
sacriflces his comrades to escape
punishment himself, grovels; but al
Ways IN MS groyelling there is the
unmista kabie expectation of material
proht for moral abasement. Those
men who held themselves lords of
creation and masters of Europe a
few weeks ago will go to any length
at this hour to curry favor with the
men OF the nations they wronged be-
yond expression.
Yet in this hour Europe. our own
and our allied representatives in Ger
many. are conscious that in some
humble fashion the old German thing
Is beginning again.
German propaganda is at work, the
German, although beaten, is using his
teachers and his preachers to deny
defeat. responsibility, for the war.
everything. Thus the German does
not renounce his old ideas to accept
our western views. but takes refuge
behind methods and in devices utter
~ 1ncomprehensfb1e to nations with
histories and traditions like the
French. British and ourselves.
Ihe surrender of the German fleet
was thing inexpIicable to US. to
the English, to nations with sea ira
dition, but it was a lasting express
sion, in fact. of the German idea.
which abandons honor and ships with
equal readiness when profit lies else
where.
Russian Problem Two-Fold.
Now Europe. still shaken by the
terrible wounds that Germany re-
Gently inflicted. conscious of greatly
reduced strength. and vaguely yap-
prehensive over growing difficulties
of a return to peace conditions. not
only sees Germany recovering. but
recognizes that there is no substan-
tial buiwark between Germany and
that vast Russian chaos, which sim
ply clamors for organization, and will
easily lend itself to the peculiar Ger
man organization.
Europe, the western powers, the
peace conference, have abandoned
Russia. 1t will turn out that they
have surrendered it to Germany.
There were lacking resources. human
resources, to wage a new war to free
Russia Neither France nor England
could be asked. in view of their
losses IN the war, to send more troops
ana incur more casualties at this
time in Russia. So, having resorted
Princes Islands scheme, the confer
enee has retired from the Russian
neid. and titles open in consequence
to Germany. daily regaining its sense
OF purpose and of direction
q no this consciousness of two-fold
peril. Possibility of the new German
eruption. first into Russia. later per-
maps into western Europe, this con-
scIousness' that in defeat the Ger
man remains himself incomprehensi-
Die, intangible. fed by a different set
OF moral or immoral impulses-these
facts strongly influence the decisions
aken in Paris and contribute to in
creasing American influence, but al
ways with the proviso that American
responsibilities be equally increased.
actly desire that America should null
their chestnuts out of the fire. There
is something else. Both British and
French feel that, without American
aid. that civilization and that democ-
racy which we have in common, ideals
which we share, may, so far at least,
as Europe is concerned, go under.
The shock of the last attack was too
terrible to permit either British or
French to escape easily from its ef-
feet, If, indeed. they are to escape
at all.
New Burdens for America.
And so. accepting our leadership ac-
septing Mr.. Wilson's suggestions, Civ
ng him the undisputed influence
which Germany acquired and BIS
marck- exercised only after three sue
wars, British, French and
Italians as well. are plainly and frank
" demanding that we pay the price
ind that price Is shoulderfng some of
he burdens of world problems; Con-
for example. and Armenia
md the states In. central Africa Save
lor Italy the great powers are not ma
-ertalistic' in any real sense. and Italy |
s imperialistic only as her leaders and
ypolxesmen are survivals of the aiii-
xA<>.1 .1rx4A ~ 4