The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09
ny WALTER wELLMAN.


Germany hghting the battle OF civiliza-
ton in an effort to preserve democrats
institutions in Europe and to avert the
Cossackism which Napoleon predicted (:
the Kaiser. far from waging a campaign
of aggression, forced into a war of self
preservation England and France stu
pldly playing into the hands of the Power
which threatens Europe with a dark age
period of autocratic dominance. Ameri-
can public opinion ignorant OF the facts
in Its hasty condemnation OF the German
Emperor, the German people, not only
in the Fatherland but in America and
everywhere. supporting their Government
as one man and prepared TO make any
saCrihces German triumph. still possible.
meaning ea-ly disarmament and perma-
Tent peace. while German defeat spells
generation OF worldwide militarism and
future wars to rescue Europe from Co.'S
sack rule.
Such are the opinions given 10 THA
Sun in an interview with Hubert Cillius.
president OF the New York German
American Chamber of Commerce.
I'm America the people are making the
mistake OF assuming that Germany has
an autocratic rule" said Mr.. Cillius !:
that Is not so. Germany is as demo-
cratic as England or the United States
We have there the same play Of free pub
lie opinion. free press. political par
ties, government by party and by Par
lament When Americans condemn the
Kaiser they really condemn the German
people. The Kaiser cannot make war all
by himself. He has to have the support
OF the Bundesrath. Parliament must
vote the money.
German People for War.
1T is the German people who are wag-
Ing this war; public opinion in that
country is unanimous there are no criti-
cisms, there is no grumbling the nation
feels that its existence Is at stake. How
idle. then. for Americans to hold the
Kaiser alone responsible II is the fash
ion In this country to single out one man
and put the blame on him. But in this
case. as in many cases. It is a mistake.
Consider for a moment the conditions
before the war For forty-four years
Germany had been at peace. Nearly
every other country in the world has been
at war in that time. even the United
States. Germany has developed such a
vast commercial interest all over the
world 1t could not AFFORD to seek war.
In war Germany has everything to lose,
nothing to gain. Why should our people
seek war under such circumstances?
Germany wanted nothing from France.
nothing whatever. She wanted nothing
from England, except to be .et alone.
She wanted nothing from Russia. All
Germany asked OF the world was 10 be
left peaceful and free to develop her com
merce. In which the prosperity OF the
people was wrapped up.
III you seek n motive for the war you
will have to look to other countries.
France wanted TO recover Alsace and Lor-
raine. England has long been Jealous of
Germany's maritime power and oversee
trade England has In the past crushed
all maritime rivals, has used her naval
power to stamp out competition. and now
history Is repeating Itself.
Russia has feared always the Aus
trian alliance, thinks Germany backs up
Austria in barring her progress to Con-
stantlnople. Russia has for years in
trigued to rouse the Balkan States and
seized the pretext OF Austria's demand
upon Servil for mobilization. That was
the real declaration OF war
'cWar Forced on Germany"
Russian troops were massing on the
eastern frontier. on the west Rus
sia's allies were active Germany was
hemmed in on both sides. The enemies
OF Germany had created situation In
which peace or war must be quickly de-
Cided upon, for II Germany were to daily
and delay her adversaries, already pre-
pairing, would gain enormous advantage.
But before mobilizing the Kaiser person.
biizaton. The Car refused To France
and England Germany made all sorts OF