of great war-boats, torpedoes and other submarines, as well as
air-destroyers, along with the manufacture of bombs, mines, powder, etc.
This war shows that the game is being played on such colossal scale that
it may take many millions every year to add to the army, navy and
air-craft. It is not to be forgotten that a great man-of-war costs from
three to five million dollars, and a good torpedo boat many hundred
thousands. The shooting of a cannon ball of a siege-gun means an
expenditure of three thousand dollars for each fire, and it takes four
shots to pierce a heavy fortification. The siege-gun can only be used
about thirty times, and then it is useless. If this game of war is to be
continued, it will mean the burning up of capital, depriving men and
women of every luxury and many necessities for much of the energy of the
world, and no less of the money must be used to that end. Do you not
hear a song more beautiful than the cries and groans of war? Do you not
hear the call of life and creation, the making of more homes and the
caring for those homes? Many hundred years ago men knew the game of war
and practiced it, because they were savages, and in this way earned
their livelihood. It was only after they rose from savages and
barbarians to civilized men that they laid their bows and arrows aside
to cultivate the arts of peace. On all sides are seen results of this
work--in busy factories, in the laying of cables, in the building of
railroads, in their engineering feats, and in the stretching of wires
overhead. Their towns grew until they became cities and capitals, made
splendid by fine pavements and sidewalks, adorned with many handsome
public buildings, gates, fountains, statues, etc. A testimony of all
this beauty and energy is seen in such capitals as Berlin, Paris, London
and Washington. These cities have given pleasure to millions of people,
and this beauty has had large commercial value to these countries. These
capitals are a pride to the people who live there, and a never-forgotten
pleasure to those who have spent happy days visiting their libraries,
picture galleries, museums and gardens. Two of these cities, Berlin and
Paris, are splendid examples of what can be done where there is plenty
of civic pride. Berlin is a symbol of law and order in its large,
well-kept streets, splendid gardens and imposing public buildings. Paris
is a woman's city--it breathes with joy and artistic grace. This note is
symbolized on a sunny afternoon at the Place de la Concorde, and in the
Bois in the springtime, when you see thousands of happy children at
play.
These two cities, along with our own beautiful capital adorned with its
many handsome avenues, public buildings and private mansions, testify
for uplift and civic pride. It will be impossible to have many beautiful
cities and to improve our civic conditions if we go on playing this
awful game of war, which means the destruction of capital and what man
has made. But if we disarm and make other nations disarm after
gratifying the most immediate needs, there will be plenty of money left
for libraries, great and small, libraries for the city, and libraries
for the town, for museums and galleries, for public universities, for
parks and gardens adorned with statues and fountains, for the building
of bridges and the making of good roads. These are the things that are
beautiful and worth while. They are the complement to nature's work and
God's work, and the sun will glorify them during the day and the stars
will bless them at night, for creation and not destruction is the
purpose of this universe.
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED AS TO THE CAUSES OF THE WAR
The questions uppermost in the minds of many people are: "How will the
war end? When will it end? Who is in the right? and Who is in the
wrong?"
Since our country has declared neutrality, there is only one thing for
every sensible American to do--to have sympathy for every man who has
been called to the front, and for every family left worrying and in want
at home.
There are a number of questions that enter into this war. Foremost among
these is militarism. There is not a country at war today that believes
that a government is made for its people, their theory being that a
people belongs to its government. Therefore it is the interest of the
country, not the interest of the individual, that counts. This idea is
part and parcel of the old feudal form of government, where there were a
few mighty feudal lords and many vassals or dependents. These dependents
lived on the estates of their lords and got their sustenance from them.
In turn they had to swear life and death allegiance to their lords,
fight for them in times of danger, accompany them on crusades and amuse
them in time of peace in jousts and tournaments.
Though feudalism as a form of government is no longer fashionable, it
still survives in spirit. Thousands of men are employed in Europe in
different ways by their governments or by their monarchs, and they are
in honor bound to fight for these kings and princes. In times of danger,
these men are employed on railroads belonging to the government, working
in palaces or on royal estates, or in the army. There are many old towns
in Europe where you see feudal palaces perched on high hills or
overhanging crags. These were protected by drawbridges, moats or great
encircling walls. All that remain of their past glory are the deserted
ruins, mouldered walls and drawbridges, but the spirit of these feudal
rulers still remains. They now live in capitals in the winter and on
lovely estates in the summer. They have from five to twenty estates
apiece. Many of these places are only used a few weeks out of the year.
Their permanent residences are adorned with priceless furniture,
tapestries and ornaments. These are kept up by a retinue of servants,
while even those that are occupied for a short time call for plenty of
care and expense for their maintenance.
Hard though it is to believe, there are palaces that have been twenty
years in the process of building and are still not completed. When a new
monarch comes to the throne it is not unusual to have his palace
refurnished from top to bottom. Entertaining at these courts means a
great expenditure of money, for their china-closets are crowded with
priceless china, finest glass, silver and gold service for all
occasions. Though the menus planned for any of these state affairs are
costly, the great extravagance comes in the fine wine-cellars, rare
fruits, and the hot-house flowers used for decorations. I have walked
over royal estates for a half-day without reaching their limit. The
place included summer houses, pagodas, alleys, private promenades,
stables and carriage-houses.
More than one royal stable in Europe has more than two hundred royal
carriages. Among these are coronation coaches, state coaches, funeral
coaches, guest coaches and private coaches. The finest of these are
lacquered with silver and gold, while the harnesses and whips are made
of real silver and gold. The private carriages include landaus,
victorias, and a great number of fine automobiles. Many of these are
used only a year or two, and then are sold or exchanged for others.
Even more splendid are the stables, which include fine horses and
beautiful ponies gathered from many parts of Europe and the Orient. The
caring of these horses involves much work and cost. I have seen as many
as a hundred men at work caring for one of these royal stables. Some of
these horses have rare pedigrees and need excellent care. They are not
used on all occasions--some are kept for state functions, others for
private use, and still others for military practice.
A court is not complete without handsome coronation jewels to be worn at
coronations and great state balls. These include priceless crowns
studded with diamonds, pearls, sapphires; vieing with these are ropes of
pearls, pearl and diamond rings, high orders set with diamonds, rubies
and emeralds, and gold swords with hilts set with brilliants and rubies.
A country might have all these things, and still she would be lacking in
dignity unless she had her own royal guard. These stand watch day and
night to guard the palace, and to change guards is accompanied with so
much ceremony that it often takes an hour's time. If it takes a royal
guard of nearly a thousand men to protect a palace, it requires a
good-sized standing army and navy to protect any of these royal
countries. The newest of these countries can boast that her army is not
an integral part of her government. Even France, which is a republic in
name, is a military form of government; it is the army and the army man
that has the last word to say.
A part of this royal system of government is colonization. Just as Spain
counted her power and wealth in her colonies, so do most of the other
European powers do so today. England gets much of her strength and
wealth from her colonies--they work for her, give her men in times of
danger, and permit her to control the channel with courage and boats.
Her imperialism gave her the courage to tell us that she claimed certain
rights to the Panama Canal because of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Though
India and Canada have brought her much wealth and strength, many say
that she has looked upon Java, Holland's rich possession, with an
envious eye, while much of her friendship for France is based on her
African possessions.
Though France has not an enormous population, she always speaks of her
need of more territory which she has found in Morocco, while even the
smaller countries, such as Belgium and Holland, have valued their
colonies as their greatest prize.
Germany is the last of the great powers to look for colonies. This she
has done because she found her own territory too small for her growing
population. After looking about carefully, she found out the easiest way
to enlarge her territory was to get more control in Africa. The
question was finally settled when France gave her a small part of the
Congo. This was done almost at the price of the sword and the bayonet,
and France and England then decided that they would cry halt if Germany
tried for any other extension of territory in Africa. At the same time
France had not forgotten that she had given Alsace-Lorraine to Germany
by the treaty of 1871, and she hoped to get it back again some time in
the future.
Russia and Austria had not been friends for many years, and Germany
increased this feeling for herself when she made an alliance with
Austria in 1879. Russia had always looked upon Austria as her chief
enemy, and she was greatly irritated by Germany's alliance. Russia
thought by joining hands with France she would offset the power of
Germany and Austria. The Triple Entente thus faced the Triple Alliance.
England, isolated from the continent of Europe, was not worried by the
triple alliance until she saw Germany spring up as a great commercial
nation. She looked upon Germany as her chief commercial rival, for she
saw the trade-mark "Made in England" gradually being supplanted by that
"Made in Germany."
English merchants managed to tolerate German merchants in the markets of
Europe, but when England saw that Germany was beginning to build up a
strong sea-power, she was determined to offset her by courting the dual
alliance of France and Russia. The terms of her agreement with these two
powers have never been published, but it was probably arranged that if
Russia or France should ever get in any serious difficulty, England
would mediate for them. This was to be a protection to England, and a
check to Germany on the one side and the Balkan states on the other. For
Servia had not forgotten that Austria had annexed Bosnia and Herzegovnia
in 1908. By stepping forward in the list against Austria, Servia became,
as it were, a protector to the Balkans, and a thorn in the side of
Austria. She did this because Bosnia is inhabited by people of Serb
speech. Russia, while acting as a protector of Servia, saw the advantage
of using Servia as a cat's-paw. The murder of the Austrian prince and
princess by the Servian government, backed by Russian influence, was
merely the match that set the powers of Europe fighting together.
Whether the conflagration should spread beyond Servia depended on
Austria and Russia's attitude. Austria hoped to confine the fight to
Servia, while Russia showed her warlike attitude by mobilization. In
mobilizing, Russia showed a hostile attitude toward Austria and Germany.
After the Russian general mobilization became known in Germany, the
imperial ambassador at St. Petersburg was instructed, on the 31st of
July, to explain to the Russian government that Germany declared the
state of war as counter-measure against the general mobilization of the
Russian army and navy, which must be followed by mobilization if Russia
did not cease its military measures against Germany and Austria-Hungary
within twelve hours, and notified Germany thereof.
As the time then given to Russia had expired without the receipt of
reply to the Emperor's inquiry, the Emperor ordered the mobilization of
the entire army and navy on August the first at five p. m. The German
ambassador at St. Petersburg was instructed that in the event of the
Russian government not giving a satisfactory reply within the stated
time, he should declare that Germany considered itself in a state of war
after a refusal of her demands. However, a confirmation of the execution
of this order had been received, Russian troops crossed the frontier,
and marched into German territory. A few hours later France mobilized,
and the next day opened hostilities.
There were still hopes that England would come to the fore and settle
the dispute. She said that she would remain neutral, providing Germany
did not touch French coast, Russian coast, and respected the neutrality
of Belgium. But Germany did not see how to make this promise and still
meet her two formidable enemies, and thus a world-war began.
Just as it will take time to say who will be the winner and who the
loser by this war, so it will take time to say who was responsible for
this condition. For nations as well as for individuals, supremacy
becomes mere madness when it is gained by guns and battleships. This
bellicose system may once have been popular when piracy and feudalism
prevailed, but this military peace, which trembles and rumbles all the
time, forewarns earthquakes.
It was an American who made the peace palace a reality. It must be
America again who will make eternal peace more than a promise. When the
time comes for the stopping of this awful carnage and bloodshed, America
must insist that every nation in the world shall lay down her arms and
that they shall change their men-of-war into merchant marines for the
benefit of mankind. This is the fulfillment of the building of the
Panama Canal.
WHAT THE WORLD-WAR WILL MEAN TO WOMANKIND
Have you ever stopped to think what this world-war will mean to
womankind? While thousands of Germans, Russians, French and English are
daily slaughtered, wounded or captured, what does this mean to the
thousands of women who are patiently waiting for their return?
Though the fewest of the European women want war, or are in any way
responsible for it, they are taught to believe that every man belongs to
his country first and to his family afterwards. If you were in Germany
during this life-and-death struggle you would certainly find out that
the German women are natural or at least trained Spartans. They are
confident in the belief that however much a man is needed at home, he is
more necessary to his country when she is in danger. This is the belief
of rich and poor alike--the Kaiserin and the Crown Princess hold to this
ideal. No less than the poorest Bavarian peasant woman, the Kaiserin and
the Crown Princess were at Potsdam when the war broke out. They did not
suffer their husbands' return to Berlin alone, but came into the city
with them, drove through the city, and were recognized by the people as
part protectors of the country. Whenever the Emperor came out on the
balcony to address his people, he was accompanied by his wife. She
showed so much self-control and determination that many of the people
said they had two rulers instead of one.
When the Landsturm were called out it was rumored that the Emperor was
going to leave Berlin for the front that very evening. One of the
Kaiserin's intimate friends asked her what she would do while the
Emperor was gone.
"What shall I do?" was the sensible reply. "But stay at home and look
after all my children; this means all the women and children in the land
who need me, as well as all the soldiers who are brought back wounded."
That these were not idle words is shown by the fact that as soon as war
was declared the Empress gave forty thousand dollars out of her own
private fortune to the Red Cross. Ever since the war started she has
spent all her leisure time visiting the different Red Cross hospitals to
see that all the soldiers were getting the proper food and attention.
Her work has not stopped here; she went to all the markets to see that
all the provisions possible were being brought in to the people, and
that food should not be raised above the ordinary prices. Though the
Crown Princess is a happy mother of four lovely boys, as soon as the war
broke out she and her children accompanied the Crown Prince to the
palace. As she drove through the streets, she was received with the same
enthusiastic cries as her husband, for she is greatly beloved by her
people, and they knew that she would do her duty at home while her
husband was leading his division to war. Her lovely face was brightened
by the usual happy smile, showing that she was ready to do her part
rather than to thrust her burdens on the world. She turned over one of
her palaces at once as a hospital, and took personal charge of the work
herself. She is doing as much work as the Red Cross nurses, and, though
her husband has been in many dangerous positions since the war broke
out, she has never shown any personal anxiety. That the Emperor
appreciates this is shown by a telegram he recently sent to his
daughter-in-law:
"I rejoice with thee in the first victory of William. God has been
on his side and has most brilliantly supported him. To Him be
thanks and honor. I sent to William the Iron Cross of the second
and first class."
The other daughters-in-law of the Kaiser have shown the same courage and
forbearance. Princess Eitel Friedrich said goodbye to her husband with
as much enthusiasm, while the youngest, Joachim, who has just been
married, was hurried to the church for a second marriage before the war.
Even the young Princess Louise, who is the mother of a young baby, had
to say farewell to her beloved husband who went to join his regiment.
She went up to visit her mother for a few days in Berlin, and then
hurried home to look after her baby and the people.
Their example has been followed by all the princesses of Germany who,
besides acting as regents while their husbands are gone, are giving all
their time to Red Cross centers. Hardly had the war been declared when
thousands of women of all classes offered themselves to different Red
Cross centers. When told that they had never had any training in Red
Cross work they begged for some menial position, such as supplying the
soldiers with food and drink as they came in and out of the stations.
Many have applied to the dietary cooking schools, where they are doing
special cooking for the soldiers, and now they are glad that they were
taught to cook at home.
Many of the maids in private homes are too impatient to stay and do
their routine work, and they have also gone to the Red Cross centers
without pay. As one maid said, in a small Bavarian town, "How can I see
others working for their country while I stay on and work for myself?
Though I have only two hands to give, I give them willingly for the Red
Cross work. I can clean rooms and scrub floors, if I cannot do anything
else."
This same determination and courage came to the women when they told
their husbands and sweethearts goodbye. In the small towns the women and
girls waited for hours to see their husbands and sons go out. Though
their hearts may have been heavy, their faces wore happy smiles, as they
shouted: "Alas, farewell!" or an enthusiastic: "Auf Wiedersehen." In
their own homes they showed the same courage and determination, as one
girl said to me, "I was coming home with my sweetheart yesterday, and I
couldn't help but cry just a little when I told him goodbye, but my
sister-in-law never shed a tear when her husband left. She got his
things ready in a hurry, and, when he went down the street, she took her
child on her arms and stood in the window waving to him until he was out
of sight."
One German woman had six children and her husband go to war, and when
one of her friends tried to console her, she answered: "My only regret
is that I haven't six more to give to my country."
The officials' wives have shown the same splendid daring. Many of them
are young married women with babies. They hurried to Berlin with their
husbands to visit with them a day or two before the men should be called
into active service. They were seen walking with them unter den Linden,
or dining with them in restaurants. They talked of everything but war,
and when the time came to say goodbye they hurried to the trains and
bade them goodbye, as though they were only going on a short trip. The
families in need of support, while husbands and brothers are gone, have
found much protection in daughters and sisters. Thousands have taken up
men's work in the cities and in the country. They are working long hours
to fill the gaps in banks, postoffices and railroads. Most of the
drygoods stores turned over the positions in the family to a wife or
daughter so that the family may not need. Even girls offered themselves
as conductors and motormen on street cars. They proved themselves
competent for conductors, but they found the work of motorman too
strenuous.
The women on the farms have been working long hours for their children,
sometimes weakening under their load to bring in the rich harvest.
Though the Belgian men showed that they had splendid courage in fighting
for their principle of neutrality, the real heroines were their women.
In more combats than one, when they saw their men worsted, they seized
the guns and swords strewn on the battlefields and even fought in hand
combats with their enemies and would not give up even when worsted. When
their houses and towns were on fire they refused to retreat. The consort
of the king of Belgium, though she has three little children of her own,
has given a large part of her private fortune and most of her time
trying to provide her people with food and shelter.
Though Holland was the first to mobilize when war was declared. Queen
Wilhelmina insisted, through her ministers, that her country was to keep
perfect neutrality. This she has reiterated time and again. As she says,
"Not that I have so much fear for the horrors of war, but I do not wish
to see my women and children suffer the hardships resulting from war."
The French women have the reputation of being timid and light-hearted,
but this war shows they have plenty of courage and self-control. When
war first broke out in France some of the people, especially in the
large cities, were hysterical, for they had not forgotten the
experiences suffered in the Franco-Prussian war. But the courage shown
by the women to do or die, soon brought a great reaction of
self-control. Hundreds of women were seen promenading in the woods or
sitting at the cafés just as though nothing important had taken place.
Many of the wealthy French women in Paris and in the suburbs turned
their beautiful homes into hospitals for wounded soldiers. Thousands of
others have formed Red Cross centers. The more experienced in nursing
hurried to get commissions following their husbands to the battlefield,
while hundreds of less fortunate have been sewing at home or in schools.
They have also been busy providing food and clothing for destitute
families.
The English women are more isolated by their position, still they have
not been lacking in providing their men with the few comforts that war
can offer. They have formed Red Cross centers, gone off to nurse their
soldiers and offered their services on battleships.
Though America has not been in the war her women have not been negligent
in doing their part to allay the suffering and hardships of combat. No
sooner was the rumor of war given than did the National Red Cross of
America start a campaign for the purpose of sending Red Cross nurses and
supplies to all great centers of Europe. This involved many technical
difficulties as well as plenty of work and expense. For, besides
painting the ship white, it was understood that the entire crew was to
be American men. They had to get plenty of money together so as to make
the work efficient. Before fitting out their supplies they canvassed the
different countries of Europe, finding out what were the especial needs
of the different armies. They heard that one country was in special need
of stretchers, a second absorbent cotton, a third hospital gauze.
Thousands of Americans living abroad have joined the Red Cross centers
of the cities in which they were living and are giving much of their
time and money to strengthening the work.
Others who were in the war zone and waiting necessary accommodations to
get home, interested themselves forming circles among their friends and
giving their contributions to the general store, while the wives of our
different ambassadors have stood at their post giving of their strength
and fortunes to needy and destitute Americans, who daily come to them in
distress. When advised that they should return home for safety they
answered that their places were at the side of their husbands.