The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-06-02

ence, continued at San Reno their
ridiculous imitation of the congress
Of Vienna, gravely assisted by i'm
posing staffs of experts, lawyers,
geographers and ethnographers.
AS matter of fact the idea of an
imperial Germany, constituting the
only beligerent elements in the old
continent, surrounded by a swarm of
purely peaceful nations, untouched
by any thought Of war, the theory
of diabolical Germany as opposed
to an angelic entente, to speak with
Mr.. Balfour, is absurd, untrue.
Undoubtedly the pan-German
campaigns and the appetites of the
huge munition works in Germany
helped-as we have been told since
1914-to maintain war spirit on
the other side of the Rhine. And
every seeker after truth must admit
that had the central empires been
victorious their methods would have
been as brutal and despotic as our
own.
But this should not make uss for
get that the chauvinistic spirit of
certain class in France also helped to
start the war. 1t is too easy to for
get, now, the press campaigns, the
reactionary attempts to stir up pub
lie opinion, the activities of certain
patriotic leagues" and subsequent
"awakenings of national spirit"
which fostered the desire for re-
vanche and consequently, the
thought of war.
In addition to such campaigns |
which were cleverly exploited by our
high finance and industry for their
own very obvious interests, series
Of agreements and negotiations, were
made about which the general pub
lie knew nothing, which eliminated
in the Franco-Prussian alliance and
all its consequences.
1t should be remembered, also,
that England had her share in caus-.
ing the war, quite as much as:l
France and Germany, although it
was more cleverly concealed than
either the German or French cam
oaigns. 1t is perfectly obvious that
England had quite as much interest +
n having war as Germany.
The economic superiority of the
German empire threatened Britain IS
hitherto uncontested supremacy. For
he first time England's gigantic as
ension suffered a setback. Thanks
o the war, which we fought by her
ide, and thanks, particularly to the
'eace, England has recovered her
ormer power and splendor. She
low reigns without break, practical
y, from the Cape of Australia, and
he has won back undisputed mas
cry of the sea.
The legend of Germany's sole re-
does not coincide with
istorical truth. 1t should be de- 4
troyed, particularly because it con-
ecrates and justifies unfair exac-
Ions and humiliations.
! In discussing responsibilities and \
he causes of the war one must look
eyond the different books, files or
comments which prove that such a
elegram or note or message was
emit or received at such an hour and
let with such reply. One must 60
ack to the incidental causes, the
retexts for the war. AS a general i
hing, and, without regard to nation II
lily, it may be said that war is the Il
,gical outcome of International cap
alism. Il
Great industrial enterprises and Il
nancial combines are the masters K
men and events. They maintain a K
ate of aggressive competition be- Il
veen nations, enforced by series E
coercive measures, such ass trea- E
es of commerce, protective tariffs, Is
rohibitive importation or eXporta- is
on taxes, etc. They impose the E
'ranny of force. E
Furthermore, governments who is
wv down before the ruling classes, E
e free to declare war or peace, not lE
mention concluding alliances, IL
ithout referring to anyone, plac- Il
G their parliaments-not to men Il
on their peoples-face to face with Il