The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-01
A REPLY TO HAUPTNANN.
Views Attributed 70 German Princes Ap.
parentIy Not Held by Them.

TO TUE EDITOR OF THE SuN---Sir. Ger
hardt Bauptmanns article in THE SUN OF
September 90 Is interesting In that II
voices the real opinions and the state of
mind of a great part of the German people
skilfully deluded by another part OF the
population that Is In evident connivance
with the imperial Government should
like to place in juxtaposition with SEN
tence from Mr.. Hauptmann's article car
tain passages extracted from preface
written by the Crown Prince Wilhelm to a
book entitled Germany In Arms" Mr..
Hauptmann writes:
repeat, the German nation. the German
Princes, Kaiser Wilhelm. all Of them. had
no other thought in maintaining the army
and navy than 10 safeguard the industrious
rich activity of peace
To show how much the German
Princes" cared for peace let us have the
Crown Prince. who inevitably influences
and represents great part OF the ma
ton, speak for himself I shall translate
the text as literally as possible. Pro-
nounciug Frederick the Great and Will
helm I. great Prusslan warriors, he says:
We must keep this warlike spirit fsithfpl
and proud and transmit II to our descend
ants
Tho preface continues:
We are. 1t Is true, living In a time which
only too willingly boasts of the interna-
tionalism Of the citizens Of the world and
which pleases itself In dreams as to the
possibility Of an eternal world peace. Thl,
conce ption OF life is anti German and does
not become us. The German who loves his
people. who believes In the future greatness
of our country. has not the right to allow
himself 10 be rocked into a lazy scmnoltnce
by the pacific songs Of utopiaus.
Could the Grown Prince pronounce HRS
self more clearly against peace or more
81. 4 l. h.lg haf ha
greatness" OF his country lies in the force
Of arms? Further on the Crown Prince
says:
We must know how to throw our com
forts cheerfuly aside when the Emperor
calls us aud must keep our hands free
to hold the sword.
But as we read on we hnd a veritsbls
declaration or faith:
when We turn the pages of history va
have to recognize II; follow as with
red thread the teaching Of tho necessity OF
warlike activity for people. Even great
and strong nations have had to abandon
their privileged places when tho culture oil
warlike virtues has given way before the
tendency to live comfortably and when Other
peoples more vigorous and active, takins
their advantage at the proper moment, have
appeared on tho scene Of strife.
The Princes style is heavy and pre-
tentlous but in spite OF IT he makes per
fectly clear his admiration Of and desire
for war; and his belief in the right Of the
mlghtiest seems to Justify In advance his
country's ruthless aggression upon Bel
GUM and France by the fact that the,
took their advantage at the proper mo-
| ment" one last quotation:
The gigantic connagration. once started
! will be exunguashed neither easily nor
| quickly. hut the sword Is and TO the end
| shall be the decisive factor In the world.
| Are these tirr words OF the peace Low
| ing" Prince of a "peaceable nation?
| MARIB-LOCIsE FoNTAISE.
NEW YORK, September 80.