Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-21
EIGHT YEARS AGO AND NOW.

Light years ago, III tHc llllc " VI Dbl dJCNo,
in the Balkans, a shot was fired which set the world
in flames. In the background of the assassination
of the crown prince of Austria-Hungary was a COM
bination of animosities and ambitions which await
ed only a favorable opportunity to expand militar-
istic systems and bring millions of people under des-
potic control. The act of a fanatic, however in
spired, provided the excuse for the beginning of a
war for which long preparation had been made for
a war whose immediate purpose was to establish the
reigning member of the house of Hohenzollern as
the overload Of continental Europe. and whose ulti-
mate objective was the subjugation of the world.
In the early stages of that conflict America was
a passive spectator. Within a few days it became
apparent that the localzation of the impending war
fare was improbable, if not impossible. The repre-
sentatives of France Russia and Great Britain
sought by every means in their power to cause Aus
tria to stay her hand, and to abate some of the
harsh conditions which she sought to impose on
Serbia. But, according to the understanding and
intent of Berlin, France was doomed to destruction
in any case Russia was honeycombed with German
influence. and Great Britain would not dare to enter
n European war for fear of an Irish uprising. There
fore the plans Of the central empires were pushed.
There is every reason to believe that a word Of
solemn warning from Washington, just at that
juncture, would have prevented the avalanche of
war which presently engulfed the world. That
word was not spoken. To speak it at that time,
under the conditions of sentiment which prevailed
in this country, would have demanded bold and az
SICSSlNc iCduClollp, d lSduCISulp SlOulueu III TIC
conviction that courageous action in behalf of a
righteous cause would of its own momentum sweep
before it the obstacles which narrow partisanship
and prejudice might %interpose.
It is no criticism of the sincerity of President
Wilson, and OF his surprising ability within his own
field, TO say that he was not able to give the coun-
try that kind of leadership. 1t is no exaggeration
of the qualities of Theodore Roosevelt to say that
it was in this type Of leadership that he excelled,
and to express the belief that if he had been presi-
dent in July, 1914, he would have stated the Kmeri-
can attitude so clearly and so f~orcefully that the as
sault on Serbia would have been confined to a ges-
turc, and that, failing at that point, Roosevelt would
have caused the German government to understand
that the first move against Belgium would be fol-
lowed Immediately by the dismissal of the German
ambassador from Washington and the presentation
to congress OF 81 demand for a declaration of war
againstB Germany.
We waited for American sentiment to fot1nu,
late itself, waited while Serbia was overrun. waited
while Belgium was invaded, waited long months
for the conviction to be borne in upon Americans
that tie war was one which they could not escape,
and which they could no longer in honor seek to
evade. Then, after millions had been slain, among
them hundreds of her own people, America went
Ito war. Il
Ssrajevos was distant from the United States.
4 Political and racial disputes in the Balkan district
seemed TO have little concern for Americans. Yet
1.-THE consequence of the local disturbance there IN
ssyolvsd our continent and imposed on our people
! burdens which they must carry for generations.
Have We learned anything III eight years?
Dardanelles and the Bosphorus are as. dis
isn't rom is 81 serbia. Wheth Greek OF Turk
shall raie over certain bits Of territory and certain
hasdflls ~ popu1ation is Of little concern to5 uss BIT
f@hefher or5nof The world shall DE involved III al.
I ofbes war does concern ussa We can no more
z4void 4 NV war which invo,ves the major Euro
psansppyNers than ye scohtd avoid that from which
$1aer eectnfly mefrgsedEsSN cannon today permit the
Salaad sto bes odyyerTsinH ~ Y combination Of Turkish
fHS6SS1iSei{suGa gRpAsSiixAR Bolshevism and Rzrussian mill