The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-26
CROWN PRINCE
WROTE PREFACE
WILLIAM OF GER
MANY HAS CONTRIBUTED AR
TICLE WHICH is ATTRACTING
WIDESPREAD ATTENTION IN
FATHERLAND.

Berlin, June 24.-The Crown Prince
of Germany, Frederick William, has
written a preface to Germany Under
Arms" which is attracting good
deal of interested attention, in view of
the fact that this young man Is des-
tined some day to rule the German
empire. From the inscription on the
no more securely upon the shoulders
Of Atlas than Germony upon its army
and navy down to the last words of
the preface of the Crown Prince, If
the whole German people are resolved
gladly to stake life and property then.
even though a world full of devils
stand in arms against us. we shall
conquer" the words of Frederick Will
liam are alive with martial spirit and
show a kee nappreciation of certain
tendencies in modern society.
With some unimportant COMMISSIONS.
the preface runs substantially as fol-
logs:
Our Fatherland, more than other
countries, is compelled to rely upon its
strong sword Situated in the center
of Europe, poorly protected by unfa
vorable geographical frontiers, not re-
garded with love by all nations. it is
the sacred duty OF the German empire
to keep its army and navy ever at the
highest point of readiness to strike.
Only so, and relying upon our good
sword, can we maintain our place, the
place that belongs to US, but is not
willingly conceded.
Joy in bearing arms was ever in
the hearts of our people. Even with
the old Teutons a youth became a man
only after he had his baptism of fire.
1t was this spirit, inherited from brave
ancestors, that welded our fathers into
invincible troops in the wars of the
Great Elector, especially in the glori-
Gus battles of 1S7071, and still more
recently upon the sun parched soil of
German Southwest Africa. This war
like, loyal, and proud spirit we must
cherish and transmit as a holy hertz
age to our children.
I'VE live today, indeed, in a period
which emphasizes the high level of
its civilization and which delights in
fantastic dreams of the possibility of
conception of life is n-German and
is not becoming to Us. The German
who loves his people, who believes in
the grea tness and the future OF our
homeland dares not let himself be
soothed to slumber with utopian songs
of peace.
Since its last great wars Germany
has passed through a period of eco
nomic development that almost awaK-
ems anxiety. Prosperity has SO in
creased among all classes of our peo-
pie that their demands Tor a higher
standard of life and for luxuries have
developed eXuberantly. But the dark
side of this too rapid development pre-
sents itself in threatening ways. The
love of money has already assumed
form with us that can only be regard
ed with concern. We scarcely ask to-
day by what means a fortune has been
acquired. Things are tacitly tolerated
today that formerly were condemned.
Everything is sacrificed 10 the pursuit
of money. Old ideals, even the reputa
ton and honor OF the nation, can suf-
fer. so long as the people enjoy a pc
Rod of peace in which to amass
wealth.
IF we study history we see that the
lesson of the need of warlike efficiency
in a people runs like a red thread
through it's pages. Even strong and
great nations have lost their long
maintained position in the front rank
when the nurture of military virtues,
has given place to the passion for easy
living, and when a fresher and more
efficient people. Selling its advantage,
has appeared in the arena And the
sympatbies of the civilized world go,
as they did in antiquity to the army
that fights with dash and bravery.
ID: plomatiC skill can and should
POSTPONE conflicts for a time, and
sometimes settle them. All men in
leading position must accept their
enormous responsibility in the deciding
hour. They must see clearly that the
glgant1c ConhagratlOn, once kindled.
cannot be extinguished easily and
quickly. But as a flash of lightning
equalizes the tension between two
strata of air differently charged with
electricity, so the sword is and ever
will remain. the final deciding factor.
And therefore every man who loves
his country and believes in the great
future of his people must joyfully con
tribute his part TO prevent the old
soldier spirit of our fathers from being
lost. The sword alone does not suf-
fee: the arm that holds it must he
made strong by practice. Every man
of US must keep himself able to bear
arms and ready at heart for the great
and earnest hour when the emperor
calls US to the colors-the hour when
we no longer belong to ourselves but
TO our country.
"AlI our abilities must be brought to
the highest state of efficiency to sup
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