New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-24
The Next Great War

Another great war is plainly in
cubating, incubating far more plain
ly and .visibly than did the one which
burst on the world in 1914. The
frontiers of unrepentant Germany
and of militant Bolshevik Russia are
IN contact. Between the two coun-
tries is a community of selfish i'm
perlalstic interest, and thus a basis
furnished for an aggressive alliance.
Are the parts of the world, in.
Guiding the United States, which
would have peace and an orderly
democratic civilization, to repeat the
folly of 1914? Are they lulled once
more to obliviousness to danger?
Are they Of those who have eyes
yet see not?
Six years ago there was chance
Ct peace even after the Kaiser had
half drawn his sword from it's scab-
bard. He hesitated over whether it
was safe to UNsheathe it altogether.
Sazonof, the Russian Foreign Min
lister, then uttered his warning that
war would surely come unless Great
Britain, while yet there was time,
declared her purpose to join in re-
sisting Germany.
So now, even though the present
Polish crisis passes, little rational
hope for future peace exists unless
there is an unsuitable purpose to
force Russia and Germany with a
front of eponderating power. Talk
continues Of trusting the mainten-
ance Of peace to the soft ministry of
words. Neither Russia nor Germany
will be dissuaded by such method
Only through a realization of the
hopelessness of their ambitions can
they be stayed.
Bolshevik Russia has adopted the
old Czaristic imperialism, painting it
red. Germany is still Germany, has
merely substituted hypocrisy for
arrogance. BolsheviE Russia would
reconquer the peoples on her borders.
Already Esthonia, Lithuania, Latvia
and Ukraina have been subdued,
and the Russian paw has been raised
against Poland and threatens Fin
land
Germany, cegretting her attack on
general freedom only because it
failed, schemes to arm herself. Soon
munitions will be brought in from
Russia, manufactured there under
German direction. Germany, like
Russia, thinks she has good reason
for war, and popular support would
sustain Ludendorff if he came back
to power. The only questions asked
between the Rhine and Silesia are
"Can we? Is it safe?"
For the condition which exists to-
day the fiasco at Paris is responsible.
The simple expedient of the five
great nations who won the war keep
ing together in firm alliance was
not adopted. The representative
of this country threw apples of
discord into the conference. Instead
of cementing union of those with
power to establish peace, trusting
them to exercise their authority
; justly, the debate ragged about all
; manner of controversial questions
) and degenerated into a wrangle.
: A league of five can guarantee
peace. Nothing else can. Were
there such league to-day Russia
would not dare to crush Poland and
Germany would think less of war
but no word comes that Washing
:, ton recognizes it's great blunder
Long ago the President declared
that in the event Of another major
war this country would find it i'm.
possible to be neutral. Yet there is
inaction while the war cloud gathers
: Conditions plead for policy that
will enable our young men to avoic
making another journey to Europe
No heed is given. We do not joir
those who are willing to join US ir
declaring that running amuck will
not be permitted. Talk of world
obligation and of desires for peace
is meaningless if we are unwilling
to give even a monition to Germany
or to Russia. The French treaty
sleeps and no inquiries have been
sent to other countries as to what
ultimatum is to be addressed to
Russia. Why dispute over league