The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-24
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

THE world seems definitely reverting to the
a national state system of the pre-war world.
Perhaps it would be better to say that the cur
tain of hypocrisy has been torn away from
the Observation-Disclosures which has de-
ceived many aforementioned people from 1918
to 1885.
There has been little true internatonalism
on the part of the European powers since 1918,
however sincere the motives or acts of indi-
vidual internationalists. Public figures have
used internationalism as a cloak for their own
patriotic ambitions. The greatest International
list of them ALL Aristide BRAND, was as harsh
and unyiedng a nationalist as Raymond Poin-
care when the vital interests of France were
at stake.
1t may be step in advance to call a spade
spade and make us realize that if we are to
have any real internationaliSm we must start
from scratch. A great many people who are
now shocked by the realism of Mussolni and
Hitler were lulled into false sense of security
by the love lyrics sung at Geneva by represen-
tatives of nations that were practicing the most
brazen nationaliSm in the major capitals Of
Europe.
1t may help a bit to recall the tragic ending
Of the last great orgy of nationaism in human
history. The Franco-Prussan War, like the
World War, was followed by an effort to promote
international accord 1t was engineered by
Otto Won Bismark. who used internationalsm
to advance German interests much as BRAND
and others exploited it to the advantage of
France after 1913
DETwEEN 1878 and 1881 Bismarck cemented
~ the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria
and Italy. During the Eighties" he had a
friendly understanding and a Reinsurance
treaty" with the Gar of Russia Though Britain
was then practicing a policy of splendid iSola-
ton Bismarck made friendly overtures to her
and helped along good feeling by a generous set
Element of African territorial diSDIteS
At the zenith Of his career Bismarck had
built up a European system dominated by Ger
many as thoroughly France has controlled
the situation since the World War.
When William II became Kaiser he allowed
the Bismarck fabric to crumble in ruins He
abandoned Russia to WOO Britain more effec-
lively. He failed utterly in the latter attempt
while the apostles of revenge in France quickly
picked up the Tilted Russia and brought into
being the momentous Franco-Russian Alliance
between 1891 and 1894
The French shrewdly awaited the downfall
Of the efforts at Anglo German rapprochement
and then made seductive gestures at Britain
which were completely successful. BY 1905 Sir
Edward Grey was announcing that: Cordial CO.
operation with France in all parts of the world
is cardinal point OF British policy
- uSSlA and Britain patched up their tradi-
N tional antagonists 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 glazing at
each other.
Great ornaments were built up with the
oStensibe purpose of preserving peace. Arm
ing for peace" was the popular slogan of that
day BY 1914 the Russian army numbered
l284,000 men, the French $4,000 the German
eO6,Oo0 the Austrian 10000 and the italian
305,0 00 Britain insisted upon a navy much
larger than that CT her nearest rival and
was enraged when Germany proposed to build
a navy compatible with the size and prestige
Of the German Empire
! Economic nationalism paralleled the diplo-
matte and military expressions of super-patri-
: otism Beginning with the German tariff act
OF 1879 the free trade era came to an end anc
I the age of intense tariff wars was launched.
After the fall of Bismarck, Europe strobe
straight into war. Such are the lessons OF the
protensicus generation which made the war-s
story told with great learning and charm BY
Prof. Swain in his book, Beginning the Twen-
teth Century" 1t is necessary for the United
States to throw over the sucker role and face
realities. Yet we must at the same time re-
member that the world has never yet armed fol
peace and got peace.