The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-07-30
No War in Europe

No War in Europe
Fears that q new war may break
out in Europe as the result Of devel-
opments in Austria do not seem en-
tirely justified In view Of the history
OF the last few years.
There are terrible potentialities, Of
course, but they are much more OBJ
vious than were the circumstances In
1914 when spark from the same
part of the globe set the world on
fire. The very fact that everyone rec
ognizes the possibilities OF war viii
make it more difficult for the warlike
to achieve their ends.
Even the sword rattlers must ap-
preciate, too, that no one can pos
sibly benefit by a renewed conflict.
The fruits Of the World war are still
too apparent to permit Of any mis-
understanding. These, viewed In the
light Of Is years after the armistice.
are millions Of dead r.en, millions Of
shattered homes. untold physical and
mental suffering and no lasting adj
vantage to anyone. Germany was
stripped Of her colonies but repara-
tons have become q myth and clear
demonstration has been had that the
only approach to economic and po-
litical stability Is the path Of peace.
Racial enmities were never more &C
tive than they are now. Prejudices
and hatreds still thrive, but It Is only
reasonable to assume that these are
less powerful than an all-compelling
love Of self. For even the most pow
erful of the nations involved q new
war would be only another form Of
national suicide which might result
in tearing down the pillars Of civili-
zation, returning the world to q new
period of darkness.
The situation in Austria Is made
most difficult by the opposing aims
Of Germany and Italy. For two years
Chancellor Dollfuss has been kept in
office only by aid and support from
Mussolini The Austrian cohorts Of
Chancellor Hitler attempted to seize
control OF the nation, probably with
Anschluss (union with Germany as
q primary aim.
It IS entirely possible that Italy win
fight rather than permit this to
occur. In such event we would have
an Italo-Germanic war to disrupt the
interior nations Of Europe.
Opposing Germany's aims, most
certainly, would be France and the
powerful coterie OF nations under her
leadership. including Poland, Csecho-
Slovakia and most Of the Balkan
states. These are opposed to an all
powerful Germany on the ground
that she would be an uncomfortable
neighbor. They probably would join
France and Italy in defending Aus
tria's autonomy, even against the de-
sires Of the Austrians.
That Germany now Is more Of
military power than Is conceived by
the treaty Of Versailles or than most
persons believe to be the fact seems
obvious. The wings Of the German
eagle have feathered out considerably
since they were clipped short in 1919.
But she still Is in no position to
enter q war against the combined
forces Of other central European ma
tions. She certainly could not expect
help from tho United States and very
little from England. even though
there recently have been signs OF m
Anglo German Impeachment.
Hitler or no one else would know
ingly enter losing war. Hence the
gestures toward peace made by Ger
many in the recent crisis.
The future, Of course, is obscure.
Conditions change with time and it
is entirely possible that the seeds Of
war now being sown may bear ugly
fruit ct some future date.