Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-10-17

past; two provinces which for centuries
had given us,-had given France-the
Oldest, most closely knit and most re.
sponsive Of nations-generals, and
statesmen, men of science and OF let
ters.
Gives No Heed
Germany refused to heed the cry Of
despair raised at Bordeaux by their
representatives. By .'blood and iron, =
to quote Bismarck, she had sealed her
victory and welded her unity with the
rape of our provinces of which she
made the bulwark Of her power at our
very door. Five and twenty years
later, Bismarck cynically boasted: 1--WE
did not conquer Alsace and Lorraine
because their people loved us, or turned
their thought to Germany.
THAT did not matter to us. Their
annexation was geographical necessity.
1t is quite presumptuous to ask us to
worry whether the Alsacians or Lor-
rainers want or do not want to be Ger
man. That is none of our business"
Neither hesitation before, nor repent
ance after.
This unhallowed gain won by sheer
might, does not suffice to Germany, or
rather to retain it she has to have
something more. Hence the policy
which 43 years later led to another war
by succession of events the very logic
of which is it's most crushing condem-
nation. Germany seeks not only to
keep the territory stolen from France,
but to make secure by arms her DOM
ination of the continent rendered pos
sible by the treaty of Frankfort.
Employ Every Means
For this it is not enough, that France
shall be conquered and despoiled; she
must be isolated and paralyZed as well.
1t il not enough that Alsae-Lorraine,
the piety of whose popular attachment
for France was unconquerable, shall
live beneath the Prussian yoke; the
political structure Of Europe must be
such that never in any manner or at
any time shall German domination be
To build up this domina-
ton as well as to defend it in case it
were ever threatened, every means
will be employed--not excepting war.
Half a century of history has here its
source.
As early as 1875, this settled deter
mination reveals itself by the threat
Of fresh aggression. France is recov
ering too rapidly. To complete her
ruin is duty to Germany and to
mankind. The awakening of Russia
and Great Britain, conscious-too late
of the mistake they made in 1870,
foils Bismarks, who vents his disap
pointment in bitter jects, but sets to
work at once to prevent it's recurrence.
Two powers exerting their influence in
him in check; against France, there
ho Infa innc fn
which will give him undisputed con-
troll of Europe and cement his victory
forever. On October Z, 1879, he signs
Il treaty with Austria Hungary On
May 20, 1882, one with Italy.
Heads ITO Million Men
Germany is now at the head of a
coalition Of ITO million men which from
the North sea to the Mediterranean
commands Europe and cut it in two.
She is the arbiter of q peace which
she both imposes and guarantees.
From the treaties on which it is based
this coalition borrows defensive ap-
pearance; as a matter of fact, its aims
are offensive and it is ready to attack.
To render Frances isolation more
supplementary pledges are
secured from quarters whence they
we're least to be expected. Russia, de-
;eated at the congress of Berlin by
Bismarcks iron will, promises on
March q, 1884, and on November Is,
1887, to remain neutral if Germany is
attacked by third power. Great Brit
lin, losing sight, her colonial con-
;roversfes with France, of the con-
rolling necessities Of her foreign pol.
cy, signs extra European agreements
n quick succession with Germany, and
ends ready ear to inspirations from
Berlin.
An unyielding armor is thus encased
around the treaty of Frankfort to in
sure the retention of its territorial
and political advantages. Germany is
he center Of Europe and plays off all
,er other peighbors against the one she
tcontinusd on fass Sour3