South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-29
A Distinguished American Historians
Interpretation of the Plan to Extend
German Influence from the North Sea
to the Persian Gulf by Means of
Great Teutonic Confederation.

But she must fight them to such purpose
that the existence Of the English feet viii no
longer be a menace to her commerce. Here is
where the PanGermanic theory proves itself.
as the author proceeds to demonstrate:
ITO secure a share of the worlds trade In
some fashion which will not expose her to the
attacks of the English feet aud which will
create empire less vulnerable In every way
than she believes the British Empire 10 be-
an overland route TO the East must be found.
The Germans consider perfectly feasible the
construction Of a great confederation Of states
including Germany Austria, Hungary, the Bal
kan States and Turkey, which would control
a great band OF territory stretching southeast
from the North Sea to the Persian Gulf. A
railway from Constantinople TO Bagdad would
effectually tie the great trunk lines leading
from the Rhine and Danube valleys, to Con-
stantinople and the Persian Gulf, and
tablish shorter route TO India than that via
Suez.
Egypt Syria, Arabia, Persia, India herself
the mother of nations. would fall into German
hands and be held safe from conquest by this
magnificent overland route to the East.
"Pan-Germanism is, therefore, in the first
place, defensive movement for self-preserva
ton, for escaping the pressure of France and
Russia both bent on her destruction. 1t is, in
the second place. an offensive movement di
rected against England, its object, the conquest
of the English possessions in the Mediterranean
and in Asia. She expects thus to obtain an
outlet for her surplus population and manu-
features and to create an empire as little vul-
ally as any the world has yet seen"
In discussing Germany's chances OF welding
together such world power Professor Usher
analyses the inherent weaknesses of her power
full rivals. For example. he quotes Lord Cur
IONS remark that "the English are only bit
of froth upon unfathomable ocean"
England, Germany hates, disdains and de-
spises. For France and Russia she possesses
a wholesome respect mingled with fear, but not
with love. France she considers a strong man
who has run his race and is nov beginning to
reach senility; Russia she looks upon as an
uncouth stripping not yet conscious of his
strength, not yet skilful enough to use the
strength of which he is conscious and not yet
intelligent enough to avoid being easily de-
ceived"
Prerequisites to the success OF the Pan-Ger-
manic scheme have been attended TO in
great measure. Germany has built fleet large
enough for defensive purposes. Her army is
large enough and efficient enough to stand as
barrier between her and her enemies and
her economic position is superior. And Ger
many could proceed to launch her great
scheme is quite a startling bit Of prophecy, in
the light of recent happenings:
"The seizure OF Belgium and Holland will
very likely be the first German movement
when the actual accomplishment of Pan-Ger
manism seems fairly assured. In
deed, it has been long held that attack
upon the autonomy of belgium or Holland
would be the equivalent of a declaration OF
war upon Europe that Germany will certainly
avoid any such Outspoken manifestation of her
"But Germany needs the strategic points
which those two countries control. The Meth
erlands alone can furnish her a suitable naval
base on the Channel from which to contest its
possession with the English from which to
intimldate the English fleet into permitting the
German ships complete freedom of passage.
So long as the German feet must operate from
base OF supplies so far removed as Kiel from
the naval base OF the English in the Thames,
her position must be at the best anomalous.
The occupation OF Holland would make il a
reality. From Holland, too, the German army
From Belgium II can most easily reach Paris.
With both countries in their hands an attack
either capitals would be equally feasible,
and the capture OF either would be equally fatal
TO the Triple Entente
The commercial significance OF the position
OF Belgium and Holland is no less striking
They control the outlet of the Rhine. and there
fore can prevent Germany's complete utiliza.
ton OF the splendid natural higway draining
SO large and so rich a section of her land, a