The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-21
AN OMNIBUS PARALLEL

THE world seems definitely reverting to the
n national state system of the pre-war world.
Perhaps it would be better to say that the
curtain Of hypocrisy has been torn away from
the Observation-Disclosures which deceived
many wel-tntentioned people from 1918 to
1888
There has been little true internationalism
on the part Of the European powers. however
sincere the motives or acts OF individual inter-
nationalists. Public figures have used inter-
nationalism cloak for their own patriotic
ambitions. The greatest internationalist of
them all. AriStde BRAND was as harsh and
unyiedng a nationalist Raymond Poncare
when the vital interests of France we're at
stake.
1t may be a step in advance to call spade
a spade and make us realize that If we are to
have any internationalism we must start from
scratch great many people now shocked by
RooSeveltian realism were lulled into false
sense of security by the love lyrics sung at
Geneva by representatives of nations who were
practicing the most brazen nationalism in
each major capital Of Europe.
1t may help bit to recall the tragic ending
of the last great orgy of nationalism in human
history. The Franco-Prussian war, like the
World war was followed by an effort to pro-
mote international accord. 1t was engineered
by Otto Won Bismarck. who used interna-
tionalism to advance German interests much
rs BRAND exploited it to the advantage of
France after 1918.
Between 1878 and 1881 Bismarck cemented
the triple alliance of Germany. Austria, and
Italy During the SOS ne had friendly under
standing and reinsurance treaty with the
car Of Russia. Though Britain then was
practcing a policy Of splendid isolation, Bis
marck made friendly overtures to her and
helped along good feeling by generous settle
inent OF African territorial disputes
AT the zenith Of his career he had built up
a European system dominated by Germany as
thoroughly as France has controlled the situa-
ton since the World war. II there was no
League of Nations. there at least was the Con-
cert OF Europe, which functioned dramatically
at the famous Congress of Berlin in 1878.
When William II became kaiser he allowed
the Bismackan fabric to crumble in ruins. He
abandoned Russia, 10 WOO Britain more effec-
lively He failed utterly in the latter attempt.
while the apostle Of revenge in France quickly
picked up the Tilted Russia and brought into
being the momentous Franco Russian alliance
between 1891 and 1894
This grew in strength until. between 1912
and 1914. Izvolski and Poincare carried
through that diplomatic revolution relative to
Near Eastern policy which threw Europe into
war in 1914
The French shrewdly awaited the downfall
of the efforts at Anglo-G German rapprochement
and then made seductive gestures at Britain
which were completely successful. BY 1906
Sir Edward Grey was announcing that cor
dial cooperation with France in all parts OF
the world IS cardinal point Of British policy"
Russia and Britain patched up their tradi
tional antagonism in the Near East in 1907
and the Triple Entente came into being
Europe became an armed camp with the Triple
Alliance and the Triple Entente glaring at
each other. II needed only the spark of the
assassination OF Franz Ferdinand to set of the
whole powder house.
Great ornaments were built up with the
oStensible purpose Of preserving peace. Arm
ing for peace" was the popular slogan of that
day. BY 1914 the Russian army numbered Ia
2sz. 900 men. the French $4,000. the Germau|