The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-15
GERMAN DEMAND FOR WAR
EXPRESSIONS OF DISSATISFACTION
WITH LoNG-CoNTINUED PEACE.
German Generals Demand War and
Hint that Kaiser Has Demor-
allied the Army.
Correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal.

long and foul peace, dictated by politicians,
and echo the opinion of all progressive
army men when L say that the need OF the
hour is a jolly good war. There is nothing
that the German army and the German
people need so much after these thirty
years e a stupid. protracted peace as a
JOY good war"
The army's demand for war-war for
wars sake-published in the current issue
Of Die Gegenwart, the leading political
weekly OF Germany, equal in influence to
the London Spectator. thoroughly aroused
statesmen and wrought. up public opinion
20 such pitch that the government con-
sidered 1t imperative to buy up all available
copies on the news stands. OF course, that
stimulated second and third edition. The
police snapped them up, too. before many
hundred copies could be disposed of. Then
the Gegenwart printed a seventh edition.
with public demand running close second
20 police appetite for semi-forbidden lit
erature.
The article signed &C. v. W., an Old Prus-
sian Military Man." says IN substance that
the disgusting thirty years peace" has
lasted long enough and that the desired
and necessary regeneration of the German
army and people" can be achieved only by
Jolly good war" that must be had as
soon as possible
II some rabid lingo sheet were thus play
ing with fire the matter might be dismissed
with contempt, but, intimated, the Ge-
genwart is a proposition TO be reckoned
with and there is every reason to believe
that the Disgusting Peace" article, In
fact, represents the consensus of opinion in
leading army circles. At the same time II
Is well to recall perhaps. that the war
party Of the Prussian army forced the war
OF 1866 against Austria, while the war par
~ of the French army precipitated. at
least, that Of 1S70-n. And history repeats
itself.
Another aggravating circumstance is the
fact that General Won Liebert, who first
started the cry for war. is close friend of
the Emperor and credited with expressing
Williams secret longings. The article pur-
ports to De written by IAN Old Prussian
Military Man" Here it is in full:
Let it be stated beforehand that General
Won Liebert, who stirred the nation by the
announcement that the need of the hour
Is jolly good war. is no less wide-awake
and far-seeing a politician than excellent
military leader. He is also a progressive
man. and it would be ridiculous to charge
shat his longing for war is dictated by a
proves that nothing ennobles and purifies
nation as war. And 1t may be truly said
that the German people have now arrived
at a point where war Is needed as a re-
generative measure. Think OF the miser-
able Prussians at the beginning Of the
nineteenth century-compare them with
the strenuous and beautiful nation born of
the disasters Of 1906 That reflection alone
suficss to justify the longing for war at
present electTifying the Prussian army; 1t
shows such longing to be thoroughly legit-
innate and excusable.
Remember, also. that William had no
sooner mounted the throne. when he
thought OF abdicating on account Of the
chaos confronting him. Then Bismarck
proposed war; to the laurels of 1864 he add
ed those of 1866. to the triumphs won over
the Austrians he added the laurels gained
IN the great struggle Of 1870 and 1871. True
war is a radical measure-a sort of surgical
operation where life and death hang in the
balance. But even defeat would be prefer
able to this long, lingering disease of in
activity peace has imposed upon a heroic
people. No one but foolish sentimental
Isl. am sure, will liken General Won Lie
bert to Drawing lansquenet because he
advocates the regeneration of our people
by the only measure promising success
And IL this be true from the standpoint
OF the statesman, of the mere politician,
how much more acute must be the longing
for war on the part OF experienced and far
seeing military men. Everybody knows
that army goes to sleep during a period
OF protracted peace. Prussian soldiers went
TO sleep after the seven years war, and
again after the Napoleonic wars. The re-
sulting disasters taught our government a
lesson, and the German army was not al
lowed to rest on its laurels after 1871. II
had to go to work with will. 1t was or
ganized and recognized, enlarged and
made better in every respect. Every new
idea promising success was adopted, made
quate armament was ruthIessly retired, and
the best and newest substituted.
THE PRESENT WAR LORD.
When William II assumed. the reins OF
government army improvement made still
greater strides. During the last ten OIL
twelve years our feverish activity in thai
direction has astounded the world Yet it is
is an undeniable fact that to-day nothine
short Of war can save US from becoming
unit for war. We are working and ex
perimenting, yet who can tell whether tn,
improvements made will hold good when Il
COHitS u uSullnS IN edrneStI More thar
thirty years have passed since the echo o.
the last shot fired in France died away
That means an inexperienced, wholly In
experienced army, it means generaIities anC
theories. What we need is practice anC
war is practice. During this long and dis
gusting peace, during this disgustingly Ions
peace. we have become an army of actors
War is our mission, but the German army
service has sunk to the level of a spectac
ular show.
Instead Of the merry order, Forward
march. attack. we hear the fife and drum
accompaniment of the grand tattoo. Their,
was a wonderful parade in Hanover tn.
other day, great exhibition it was called
In the press. but, as a matter of fact, no
one-haf Of the troops standing in lin.
there were fit TO go on parade. Accordinl
10 the articles OF war they should hav,
been engaged in shooting or marching ex
ercises. instead OF showing of their fin.
clothes. They did show OF. but at tn.
cost OF lessened war preparedness. The ST,
weeks OF special drill enabling them to pa
rade was stolen from the time allotted fo