New-York tribune., 1914-12-21
BY ANTHONY HOPE.

whose book is by now familiar 70 most
Of US, by repute az least, is willing 20
promise the German people II only they
will fall down and worship the ideal Of
national life and policy which he sets
before them. IL is true that the things
belong for the moment 10 other peo-
pie, but that can soon be put right.
The fruit French plums or British
peaches is ripe; it needs only a strong
and resolute hand 10 pick it.
But among all his promises there is
one omission. do not know whether
or how far il may seem a remarkable
omission in German eyes; 20 an Eng
lishmsn it certainly appears so, and, as
| should suppose, would 50 appear 70
Frenchmau or an American. Among all
the rewards Of victory which he bangles
before the eyes Of the conquering Ger
mans. the irresistible race which is 10
have so much 20 say about other peo-
pies affairs. we look I'm vain for any
promise that they are 10 have what an
American. Frenchman or an English
man wogld consider an adequate con-
troll OF their own. On the contrary,
General Won Bernhard discourages any
such idea ard that in round terms.
"No people" he remarks oluntly, ais
so little qualified as the German TO
direct its own destiUies, whether in a
parliamentarian or in "a republican
constitution; 10 no people is the Gus
tomary liberal pattern so inappropri-
ate as 10 US. A glance az the Reichs-
tag will show how completely this con-
victiou. which is forced or Us by q
study Of German history, holds good
to-day
Has Culture" Broken Down?
No people so little qualified to direct
its own destinies, An extreme say
ing, Not even those naughty Ser
yans? Not the Turks? Not the Al
banians, who so failed 70 appreciate a
German prince? If what the general
says be true, il would suggest to an
Englishman and not less 10 a citizen
of other countries whose peoples do
direct their own destiuies' that the
German culture" had broken down
somewhere. Because TO such a citizen
even as TO an Athenian Of old
culture" that leaves the citizens unht
for and incapable of government
fails in the first and most vital 1unc-
tion Of a national culture.
No doubts ON this score ailllct the
general. He goes on 10 point out,
quite contentedly, that the German
people have always been incapable or
great acts for the common interest eN-
cept under the irresistible pressure OF
external conditions, as in the rising ot
1918. or under the leadership OF power
full personalities we must
take care. then" he proceeds, that
such men are assured the possibility
OF acting with a confident and free
hand TO accomplish great ends through
and for our people. Within these Inn
its il is i'm harmony with the German
character to allow personality to have
free course for the fullest develop
ment of all individual forces and ca
pacities, of all spiritual, scientific and
artistic aims
II sounds very fine What does II
come to? Powerful personalities, act
ing with confident and free hands, are
TO do the governing TO direct the des-
TIMES while the German people, OF ali
the most united for this task, are to
develop these capacities in intellectual
pursuits "within these limit" that IS
10 say. subject to not interfering with
the competent and free hands Ct the
powcrfui personalities. That is put
forward a the ideal for The nation
whose ideals are TO direct and govern
as much Of the world as possible.
Watchword of Despotism.
What is this but the watchword or
the catchword- Of every benevolent
despotiym." Of every "culightened aris-
tocracy." since history began? Occupy
yourselves with the arts and science
leave politics TO me-" has been the
command of the despot whether am
individual or caste) through all TN,
ages. II is the command OF General
ION Bernhard and his caste to hIs
countrymen to-day. VIII they do they
accept it?
A citizen Of free and self-Ecvern-
ing country in the full sense in which
an American. Frenchman or an Eng
lishman lto name no other natonah-
ties. though. happily, there arc many
others which could be named finds ~
hard TO believe that they do at all
events. that tncy VIII accept ~ per-
maucntly. for good and all.
'You cannot govern yourselves YOU
are the most hopeless Of all nations at
that But we the Powerful Prus-lan
Personalities will govern YOU with
confident and free hands, and govern
half the world for you into the bar
gain. Only keep your hands of poll
ricr fruits OF World Power
II is splendid bribo; that cannot he
denied. Pauem ct circenscs with a
vengeance and offered not this time to
the dcmoralizcd mob Of dccadent
capital. as the Cgsars offered bread
and games" TO the rabblc Of Rome, but
10 the whole o. civilized. cultured.
intellectual people TO the people who
however incapable of directing their
own destinies, are chosen by the Ger
man God to control the destinics OF 20
many other people,
A big bribc indeed, Nobody can ap-
prcciatc its magnitude better than the
nations which Of all goes Welll are TO
have the privilege OF providing the
whcrowtthal 20 enable the General and
hi. friends to redeem their promises
Liberty Versus Empire.
Can the General and his friend de