Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-12


background of age-old racial and re-
ligious prejudices, the attitude Of united
Germany amid the maze of shifting
alignmentS, diplomatic entanglementS
and conflicting national ambitions had
become more and more aggressive and
dominating.
The action of Germany following the
Sarajevo incident suddenly forced the
conclusion upon other peoples that its
leaders intended to avail themselves of
this opportunity to establish Germany,
II possible, as the dominant power of
Europe.
As we know, the German militarists
held up to their people the fear of the
|! Slav as one reason for going to war,
and frightened the financial interests
by pointing out the danger of losing
national prestige and commercial adj
vantage unless Slav ambitions were
checked
The German people were led to be.
lieve that the army was invincible, and
were hattered by the thought of the
glory and the national prestige that
would follow success.
War Blame Is Placed Upon Germany.
The German military machine itself
was without doubt more nearly perfect
and powerful than any that had ever
before existed. The great general staff
had fully considered every condition
necessary to military success, and even
solemn treaty obligations were not to
stand in the way. The hour for Ger
many to take advantage of her oppor-
tunity had arrived. The details OF what
happened in the beginning are well
known and the world has long since
fixed the blame where it properly be-
logs-on the shoulders of the then Ger
man government
The violation of Belgian sovereignty
afforded Germany the advantage of in
vading France from the most favorable
quarter, yet 1t was no justification for
her to claim that strategical considera-
lions impelled her to disregard the
treaty. If at the time of signing the
treaty Germany harbored the secret
reservation that under certain circum-
stances she might ignore 1t, the decep-
ton presents the strongest kind Of EVIL
dence of her war guilt. Moreover, this
overt act served to give notice 10 all
nations, including neutralS, that Ger
many intended to brook no opposition
in her purpose to conquer her ancient
enemy once for all.
I cannot escape the conviction that
the United States made grievous err
ror in not Immediately entering strong
protest.
The argument might be made that as
our Government was not a Signatory
to the treaty its violation was none OF
our business. But, broadly speaking, we
all belong to the family of civilized ma
lions and one Of the strongest members
had committed an offense against a
NR,,N frl1 I1SlV
fault was that she stood in the way.
The plea was advanced by the Germans
that Belgium could have avoided trou-
BILE If she had not opposed the passage
of their forces through her territory,
but If she failed to resist she would
have forfeited the respect Of the world.
and by opposing she gained universal
admiration.
PrOvOcatiOn to Act Earlier.
The invasion of Belgium was in fact
an open declaration Of Germanys atti-
tude toward all neutral rights. If our
people had grasped its meaning they
would have at least insisted upon prep
! aration to meet more vigorously the
later cumulative offenses Of Germany
against the law of nations, the most
inhumane of which was the sinking Of
the Lusitania. Here was provocation
enough for very positive action by any
government alive to its obligations to
protect its citizens.
The fact is that the world knew only
too well that we had for years neglected
| to make adequate preparations for de-
Tense. and Germany therefore dared to
go considerably further than she would
have gone If we had been even partially
ready to support our demands by force,
After some diplomatic correspondence
the question of the use of submarines
as 1t affected us rested until the sink
ing, without warning. of the Sussex. a
! Channel steamer carrying American
passengers, on March "a, 1915. 1t will
be recalled that we then warned Ger
many that unless she should imme-
diately declare and effect an abandon
ment of such methods of submarine
warfare against passenger and freight
! carrying vessels there would be no
choice for us but to sever diplomatic
, relations with her. In reply, Germany
! made a definite promise to sink no
more vessels without warning, although
she made reservations as to the future.
Few Preparedness Steps Taken.
Germany was informed that her reply
was unsatisfactory, and there the mat
! ter was dropped, apparently without
! our seriously considering the action
that we necessarily would be forced to
F, take in the event of her resumption Of
! ruthless methods. Little more than a
/ gesture was made to get ready for such
an emergency and practically nothing
was done in the way of increasing our
! military forces or OF providing material
for their equipment.
1t is true that Congress appropriated
over 100000, 900 In August, 1916, for
4
was made in beginning the construction
of small craft and the establishment OF
better administrative organization for
the Navy. This same Congress also
passed a compromise act for the re-
organization OF our military forces, but
scarcely a move was made to carry II
out prior to our actual entrance in the
war
Thus we presented the spectacle OF
the most powerful people in the world
sitting on the sidelines almost idly
watching the enactment of the great
est tragedy of all time. in which We
might be compelled at any minute II
take an important part.
1t is almost inconceivable that there
could be such an apparent lack Of fore.
sight in administration circles regard.
ing the probable necessity for the ex.
pansion Of our military forces and 50
little appreciation of the time and
effort that would be required to pre-.
pare for effective service.
The inaction on our part played int
the hands of Germany, as she knew
how long it would take us to put al
army into the field, and governed her.
self accordingly. In other words, thu
date Of resuming indiscriminate sub
marine warfare, February l.. 1917. wa!
timed with the idea that the create
: part OF neutral and British shipping
could be destroyed before we wer