The Washington times., 1914-10-17
OF REMARKABLE VISION.

there is imposed upon the Germans tn,
obligation Of spreading their mental ant
everywhere in the world for German
labor and German idealism" He refer
to the increased influence of "Teutoni,
culture. Political power Is the medium
through which the. "civilizing tasks" @
the nation are to be carried out
opposed to the German idea of ex
pansion are the most powerful state.
Of Europe"-France, Russia, and Eng
land He foresaw that Italy might no
help Germany against these foes, snc
even expresses doubt of Austria. H,
says:
1t is possible that in case of war we
VIII have to face all these enemies sin
pared for this The Triple Alliance is
purely defensive. Neither Austria nor
Italy is bound by treaty to support us
in all cases of war or under all circum-
stances. In far as their own advan-
tage is not touched they take no in
terest In Germany's world politics: and ii
whether their statesmen will always be
far-sighted enough to make the lasting
advantage Of their states the pole OF their
policy even at the risk of war. We are
thus in all that is essential. dependent
on our own strength and must plainly
see that on the power Of our defensive
development. but our very existence as
one of the great powers OF Europe.
Views of Arbitration.
Coming next to the question of
peace and arbitration. General Bern
hardi places himself on record as
against arbitration for Germany, the
reason being that the universal advent
Of arbitration would prevent Germany
from obtaining the territory and power
to which he thinks she Is entitled. and
which he believes needful for her
growth as q nation
His views of arbitration are SO unlike
those which prevail in the United
States, and SO opposed to the policy
which has caused the Federal Govern
ment in the last fourteen months to
sign arbitration treaties with twenty-six
nations, that they will be read with In
terest by believers in the peace propa-
ganda- He writes:
1t is true the world is dominated today
means OF policy, unworthy Of civilized
nation. The dream of eternal peace has
got hold on vast sections Of the COM
New World. Whereas. formerly. in add
ton to Emanuel Kant. only enthusiasts
and Missionaries were the champions Of
great and powerful states. have low
seized this idea as well. and cloak
ing themselves with the mantle Of a Eu-
perior humanity. The arbitration courts.
which the contracting powers engage to
obey, are meant not only TO lessen the
dangers OF war. but TO remove them alto
gether. This is the publicly avowed OBJ
Ject Of such politics. In reality II 10
hardly caused by an Ideal love Of peace.
but is evidently meant to serve quite
different political purposes.
1t Is obvious that. above all. all those
states are interested in such treaties Who
wish to cover their so to be able
10 pursue the more undisturbed and ruth
lessly their advantages other parts
of the, worlds stage. and from this ar
gument at once follows that such trea-
ties where hot confined to some distinct
~ limited spheres OF right are only a
disguise to conceal other political aims
and are apt to promote just that war.
perhaps. which they pretend. II is their
intention 10 prevent.
We Germans. therefore. must not be
deceived by such official efforts to main
tain the peace. Arbitration courts must
evidently always consider the existing
judicial and territorial rights For a ris-
ing state which has not vet attained the
position due IL. which is in urgent
need Of colonial expansion. and can only
accomplish II chiefly at the cost of others.
these treaties therefore augur i'll at once
as being apt to prevent rearrangement
of power In the face OF this widespread
peace prppa ga nda and in opposition to IL
we must firmly keep in view the fact that
no arbitration court IN 1.-THE world can E.
mnNe and settle any really great tension
that exists and is due 10 deep seated ma
tionai economical and political antaE-
onIsm .