Page:The History of The Great European War Vol 1.pdf/37

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necessity for maintaining the balance of power That doctrine has almost necessarily been regarded as too academic and abstract when considered in the light of economic necessity, particularly when, as in the case of Germany, the nation affected has never, as a matter of principle, adhered to it. So now even territorial extension is justified by Germany, notwithstanding considerations of balance of power, from the point of view of economic necessity. Germany, dissatisfied with the results of emigration into foreign countries, where her subjects lose their original nationality and their interest in their Fatherland, has seen that she must strive to obtain, somewhere on this earth, colonies of her own. The principles and objects of the old Holy Alliance here accord well with Pan-Germanist aspiration.

The diplomatic conflict, therefore, which has preceded the present war has been one of great complication. Founded primarily upon two distinctly opposing principles, it is founded in the second place on a principle which is held impartially by each side, the latter being one which has always necessarily appealed most forcibly to the peoples themselves of all the nations as distinguished from their rulers. So while the Allies in this war may say that they are fighting for popular rights as against absolutism, the other side may retort that the fight is not in respect to that, but is a fight by them, as peoples, to secure economic development, which the Allies are attempting im- properly to restrict. Nothing will convince the other side that, in order that the smaller States shall be preserved and that the freedom of peoples shall be maintained as against the aggression of despotic rulers, economic expansion must, if it be necessary to the foregoing aim, run on lines that may, perhaps, seem too restricted if viewed from the point of view only of national possession of territory and dynastic interests.

During all the international movements and diplomatic negotiations which preceded the war, but which were nothing else than a prelude to the war composed of peaceful struggle, the protagonists have been handicapped by this complicated state of affairs, and the final clash of ultimate principles. The war was the ultimate instrument available to either side. Before, there were other instruments available and these were all used, but having been used, they effected nothing decisively ultimate. The instruments were certain international policies, such, for ex- ample, as Nationalism, Pacific Penetration, Alliances, Treaty, and even Breach of Treaty. Peaceful strife between the nations with instruments of offence and defence of this class failed in the end to prevent war. On the contrary, this peaceful