The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-23

the holocaust when she violated Bel
GUM. The German savants cried
Bravo Beneath the doctor, scien-
fist and the philosopher there lurked
the beast of prey to whom all means
to an end were justified AT the OUT
break OF the war of 1914 Germany
was ready, her full force mobilized,
Ter plans made, her powder dry. her
weapons aharpened-an Incompatible
army In numbers, in material and
IN furious spirit. and trained for
long completely TO forget the laws of
humanity. Hence the martyrdom OF
noble and unhappy Belgium and OF
ten French departments in the north
and east. The Generals of william
II. had only TO repeat on our soil the
lessons learned for As years in the
German war schools. They executed
them faultlessly. But there was one
accident--the French soldier. before
whom the whole plan collapsed.
Germany had been ready Europe.
on the other hand. had been surprised
despite many warnings, and ur der
the guns Of the enemy had feverish-
" yet slowly to build up it's esfec-
tives and war material. Here is what
We witnessed In 1914: Russia trying
OF hold up the Germans with her
rnorganized legions, without cannon
or munitions. England hastily i'm
promising national army and dis
osing at first of only five divisions
Thus did the allies OF France nourlsh
bellicose dreams 5 years ago, AS for
France in 1914 she had no heavy
artillery. The German offensive
through Belgium left us helpless,
overrunning us at Charleroi ana
causing us to yield an eighth OF our
territory TO the enemy. Forts which
proved OF no ur whatever. methods
of combat which utterly failed to
meet the tactics of our adversary or
the engines of war employed against
us. A cruel history, especially when
the cause is one day inquired into
That's how France dreamed of war
and prepared for IT.
The Same In War
The Germany which we had known
In peace we recog nized again in
war-brutal, cynical, inhuman. scorn-
ing all laws and pledges, burning
those old centres OF art which con-
ferred on Northern Europe so much
nobility and beauty. sinking mer-
chant vessels and hospital ships,
shooting nursing sisters. bombarding
the "fortresses" of Paris and LON
don, killing for the pleasure OF kill
ing, massacreing, destroying for the
joy of destroying and of tearing
from this planet a measure of its
life and happiness. The Cathedral
of Rheims burned and mined. lou
vain, Ypres. Termonde, sacked and
reduced to cinders: ST. Gervais Of
Paris bombarded and collapsing upon
III to
the Day OF Death Good Friday
thus was sthe German war. without
respite. without pity. Why, Because
Germany had another desire besides
that of emerging from the combat
with life and honor, She wanted to
make a clean sweep around her. The
day had dawned of all for all. 1t was
not only necessary to conquer but
tc Kill, destroy and rare the earth: as
in the time of the great Germanic in
vasions designed to install Teuton
domination on the ruins of "degen-
crate humanity.
We replied TO this unchainihg OF
fury with peace of justice and of
PREPARATION. Of moderation and reason,
such as the world had never known:
No war indemnity. no acquisition OF
territory. the reincorporation in
FTcHCl ftcEiit0fN VI tiic tNo QiSnioHi~
bered provinces. PREPARATION for dam
age done. the taking OF guarantees
permitting us to check the execution
of the promises which Germany had
made. the disarmament OF Germany.
That is all France desired to obtain
from the terrible war that had heen
Inflicted upon her. Better still, by the
peace of Versailles France and her
allies desired to fnaugurate a new
order for the settlement of interna-
tionai conflicts. one inspired by this
double principle: Reparatton for
wrong done, impossibiiity OF new
war" "a ssaz3
Repaired WITH D,fftculty
UnfortunAtsiy, the Ills Of war
| like that OF s-eil-1s1S are repaired
but with difficulty. Even given the
| entire good faith Of the conquered. IL
the latter by oonscientiouss labor
genuinely desired to help the world
| out Of it, sAnguinary nightmare AMI
back to normal life, that world would
none the less remain for ! long time
hopslsssly adrift and 1t sea. We are
| AssistinE today At the proclamation
Of Z war which u not even likely 10
! approach = ccnclusion upless there
| u new ortsutation u peacAtime
anerHy, FlnAncss upside down. bud
| gets artifioa1ly met. rAtes Of OK
| change giving sixty-five francs 70
| the pound ana fourteen to tbs dollar.
I terribly distortsd ftdueiary oir-
| 40 - 49,