The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-11-30
N|ETzSCHE DOCTRINE
IS CALLED ANCIENT
Prof. Coleman AYERS "Superna-
tion'' Policy of Germany
Arose in EarN Greece.

The theory that the philosopher
Nietzsche. with his doctrine Of the
blond beast and the ''superman,
turned the head of the German nation
and so became the indirect cause OF
the present European war, was declar-
ed TO be nonsense by Prof. William
Macon Coleman during the course or
his lecture at Pythian Temple.
The military policy of the German
nation was in full vigor long before
Nietzsche's writings became current
and its foreign policy has remained
unchanged since the time Of Freder-
ick the Great, were points made by
Prof. Coleman in support of his con-
tention. In addition, he pointed out
that Nietzsche hated the Germans ana
said more mean things about them
than any other man has done.
Prof. Coleman denies that Nietzsche
was an original thinker. He calls him
the greatest "revivalist of the nine
teenth century" His celebrated doc
trine of the will to power" is mere
IN q new phrase for the old barbar-
ian principle that might makes
right His hatred for democracy has
been shared by all the despots Of the
give the appearance of natural law
to the claim that the upper classes
have a right to rule over and exploit
the lower classes.
Prof. Coleman gave an original
translation from Thucydides. the
Greek historian, to show that the
doctrine is not new which justifies
the atrocities committed by both
"supermen" or "super-nations' in the
pIr-uit of their selfish ends.
Concessions Offered.
ha -1ra
Ct war. 1t was a struggle for exist
ence. Melos was an Independent neu-
trail island lying Oft The coast of Sparta
and its occupation would enable Ath-
ems to infiict serious damage on heI
enemy Athens did not pretend that
Melos had ever harmed her, but they
resolved upon its conquest, and landed
a force which the Melians knew they
were unable to resist successfully. Be
fore applying force Of arms, the Athe'
man generals arranged conference
With the representatives of the MelianS
90 see If they could not take peace
full possession on the pledge of not dew
astatIng their country.
The Athenian generals thus stated
their case: we shall not advance any
pretense OF coming against you becaus'
we were being injured; nor do we wlSi
TO say that YOU did join the Lacede
monians against US, or that YOU nave
done US no wrong, but We advise yo'
To think of getting what you can sine
you know. and we are speaking to mel
who know, that what Is right Is esti
mated bt equality of power to com
pei: but what Is possible is that which
the stronger practice and to which III
weak submit. We come here for tn
benefit OF our empire, and we shall ais
country. since we wish to eXercis'
sovereignty over you and have Vol
saved for the advantage OF us both.
Then the Melians asked: And hoV
then could il prove advantageous 70
us to serve as it is for you to govern
The Athenians reply: Because yo
would have the benefit of suomittin
before YOU suffered the last eXtremi
ties; while We should be the gamer
by not destroying you"
Jeer At Right and Justice.
The MeIians cite right and justice
whereupon the Athenians jeer in tn
best Nietzschean style. and think tina
the sense Of honor is equally as de
grading as the sense of Justice. The
say to the Melians: You sure vii
not have recourse to that sense o
honor which, in dangers that are dis
graceful because foreseen, destroy
TGen more than anything else. bein
secuced and led into irretrievable rui
b. the spell OF a sounding name"
The result was that the Melians wer
overcome by superior numbers, all tn
Melian men were killed and the wome
and children sold in slavery.
Prof. Coleman points out that Thu
cydides was prime favorite
Nietzsche, but to show further that hi
views are not original, but were the az
CeDted doctrines of the Athenian state.
men and generals, he thus translate
from the thirteenth chapter of the fir!
book of Plaso's Republic"
Thrasymachus rs II not true,
Socrates. that in every state the 81
TIeme power presides in the ruin
Glass;"
Interests of Stronger.
Socrates: Undoubtedly it does"
Thrasymachus: And each goverl
rnent frames it's laws in the interest
the ruling class: a democracy makiI
democratic laws. an autocracy makir
despouc laws. and the same way Il
every kind of government. The ruliI
class. whatever that class may b
makes laws in its own interest, and e.
acts that 1t is justice TO obey the
laws and imposes penalties upon all wi
violate them. as guilty OF injustice al
crime Therefore. my dear Socrate
my meaning is that in all states the 4
terests OF the ruling class makes justi
and is the Just. So that the conclusiC
ol right reasoning Is that the intere
OF the stronger is everywhere the lust
I'm the sixteenth chapter OF the san
book Thrasynachus enlarges on III
idea. You may see, my most innoce
Socrates that the just man has Il
worst OF il every time. When he ente
into partnership with an unjust ma
you VIII find that, on the dissoluti'
Of the partnership. a just man com
out with less than the unjust man: VIII
there is property tax TO pay the ju
man always pays more and the un1u
man less on the same property; VIII
there is anything TO receive in dealin
With the state the just man gets not
ing while the unjust man makes a /
rree translation rake-Off: when eth
Of them holds an office the affairs
the just man fall into disorder becau
q his neSlectinS them for the public
t-rest while the reverse Is the case wi
the unjust man; and furthermore IL
the fate Of the Just man TO offend |
friends and aCquaintances by refusi
10 serve them al the expense OF justice
This, says Prof. Coleman, is not We
ancient history. though the dialogue "
retorded 900 years before Christ