The Dominion. WEDNESDAY , MARCH 11, 1914. THE UNREST IN EUROPE.
The international outlook ia Europe is again rather, disquieting. For some time past a decidedly aggressive spirit has been at w-e-rk inGerman military circles, and it has now taken the form el a proflouMod anti-Russian agitation, which has become sufficiently serious to caiiee tho. Tsar to write a letter'to the Kaiser assuring iaini that Russia- is not arming against Gefma,ny. Tho fact remains that both ia Austria and in Germany public feeling is being excited by tho circulation of the rumour that Eussia is planning an attack on her fteigliboars. This idea is ridiculed by the Russian Press, which dec-lares t-h-at the agitation is a transparent attempt to in* timidafce Russia, and thereby lessen the opposition to certain aspects of Austria's foreign policy. But, whatever may be the true interpretation of the present outburst of unfriendliness, one cann-at overlook the-fact that there is a settled belief on tlio Continent that a trial of strength between the Entente, and the Alliance must como soonei' or later, and the prevalence of this idea intensifies the danger of this periodical stirring up of inte-rnaHtmal suspicion and bitterness. S&fte people arc of opinion that the present anti-Rus-sian clamour iii Oernany is merely a factor in the gftn-ia of party ptih tics; but there ate no doubt otker influences at work ol ft less übvioas and more sinister and insidious character. The impression certainly exists in Germany thafc she is being intentionally henimetl iii and thwarted on all sides by -lief rivals, and that of. late years she has not been too successful in the sphere uf diplomacy. There also seems to be a deliberate, attempt on the part of a sectiou of German military authorities to make uk , . of this feeling in order to spread the belief that. Germany will soon have to fight for henvery life, and that it would be a good thing to get in the first blow. Only a few, days agfl a writer in
a German newspaper favoured immediate war "as tho only means of extricating Germany from her intolerable situation among the European Powers." He declared that the members of tho Entente (Britain, France, and Russia) are not at present prepared for the conflict, and asked: "Shall we wait until our opponents are ready, or shall we tisoa favourable moment to forte a decision 2" Such viewß openly expressed . are cxtseiiwly provocative, and compel the threatened nations to perfect their means of attack and defence. Now, we have no loss an authority than General vos BernHA.BDI telling the world that Germany must be prepared for war in the near future, as the rrcent French sad Russian .army uw.&sums have created a new situation, ■ Gfixemt vos Bershahbi is one of those who believe in war for its own sake, and not merely as a deplorable necessity in < cases where peace cannot be maintained with honour; and he contends that history supports his opinion that war is bettor'than peace. Obs of his illustration!; is the gonquost of siksia by Frederick the Great. Sc argues that- Silesia was all the more valuable to Germany because it was taken by the sword, and contends that if it had been acquired by peaceful means it would not" have bad the same beneficial effect in the development of Prussia, He believes strongly in the warlike virtues, and 'holds that force is the highest right, Thdse views have ken subjected to sonic effective criticism by P'rofßssor SASbav in tho Constructive Q-uar* terly; but the main point that at present needs to bo emphasised is that, .while such opinions am being continually advocated by responsible poopk ift Germany, it is no time for other natio-ns to talk about disarmament or a "naval holiday."
The groat increases in the military forces of' Hussia, Franc*, and Germany which have- recently taken place are- an ttnmistakable* indication of the feeling of uncertainty that at present exists in Europe. Germany decided to sfcre-iigthon her army owing to the new situation in tlie Near Bast arising, mit of the Balkam War, and Fran-ce and Russia wons compelled to follow the example of tbc-jr formidable neighbour and rival. France was by jio means nnXioits to add to her military htirdens, but the action of Germany gave her no option, and in self-defence she had to increase the term of compulsory service from two to three jpivs, Russia also had to move in the same direction, and after constitution with France, m increase of 5.0,000 in the effective strength of the Russian araiy was decided upon, but now we arc informed that tho Tsaß' lias requested tho Duma to provide far. a further addition .of 21,000 nie-n. Besides this, Germany is pressing on with her naval programme, and -other na.tiafts are also building warships with feverish haste, this piling up of armaments cannot go on for ever, and there, is always a fierioas danger that one of the Potfers may at any time β-fld the burden intolerable and take the risk of pi-cei-pit-ating a catastrophe, tho whole international situation was changed by tjio. building of the German Navy, This is ■pointed <jnt b.y PnvsdE BuLow in lai-s recent book on Imperial in which he dc-■ew-re-s: :
W« eonliwt England to-day, siipnofted as we art; hy a Navy, which respect, w ft very different manner- from ttmen years ago, wlipii it w»3 a- (fiwstion of avoiding any conflict' with Eng.la.ftd as Kiftg .as posrfblo, till we h.od Kiilt our Fleet. . . - With otir own twaided we arc aWfi, ns is meet for- iSorraans, to defend dm* dignity and om interests against England st soa, ... It is solfiiwderstootl that tliis defensive- wie xnigltt becomo an offensive ono in in serious Europi?on war. If the Erapife siioultl lia wartonij- fltta«tcd, item no ■ matter what quartei-s tlio E<?a, as a tUeaifc of war, would li.av-0 a vefy different and a mutii jrrca-f.ef inresrtaiieo in oer tinres 'ibmi it did iii IS7O. j n sa< fc a (] )p J'iuet As mSll 33 tlie A«»y wfsnkl. WNll.ess tt) say, in jLCfordancQ. \rfth I'nisSian nnd German {rafJiHo-fis, cfttisidei' attack the best form of defonc«."
In the, face of stich plain indications of the pojicy afid aspirations of Germany it .is quite -ev-itleiit that Britain cs-imofe lio an _ inditeent Spectator of the trend of infcfrnatiotial affairs in Europe- or any other part of the world, and it is almost unthinkable that responsible statesmen should seriously consider any proposals that would involve the slightest risk of e'ndjtngorivjg Britain's position as the Most .powerful factor ia world polities. The- E-ai-pire has suc-h cnorftious interests at. stake that it would lie madness to listen to tlio appeal of the Little•Navy party, and, reduce our shipbuilding programme u-hile other nations are stivainijia" every nerve to increase theit afijiailiEnts.
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 6
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1,131The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1914. THE UNREST IN EUROPE. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 6
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