The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-27
Distinguished American Historians
Interpretation of the Plan to Extend
German Influence from the North Sea
to the Persian Gulf by Means of a
Great leutonic Confederation.

But she must fight them to such purpose
,hat thc existence OF the English feet will no
longer be menace to her commerce Here is
where the PanGcrnanc theory proves itself
US the author proceeds to demonstrates:
10 secure share OF the worlds trade In
some fashion which will not expose her to the
attacks OF the English feet, and which will
create an empire less vulnerable in every way
than she believes the British Empire 10 be
an overland route TO the East must be found
Inc Germans consider perfectly feasible the
construction Of great confederation OF states
including Germany, Austria. hungary. the Bal
kan States, and Turkey. which would control
d great oand OF territory stretching southeast
from the North Sea 10 the Persian Cult 4
railway from Constantinople TO Bagdad would
ehcctually Tie the great trunk lines leading
from the Rhine and Danube valleys to Con.
stantinoplc and the Persian Gulf and so es.
Suez.
-. Egypt Syria. Arabia. Persia, India herself.
inc mother OF nations, would fan into German
hands and be held safe from conques, by this
magnlhcent overland route to the East
fan'Gerinanism Is, therefore. in the first
place, defensive movement for seizures crva.
non ior escaping the pressure of France and
russia both bent on her destruction. IL u.s. in
he seconc place, an offensive movement di.
rcctcd against England, its object the conquest
OF me English possessions in the Mediterranean
and In Asia. She expects thus to obtain an
outct Tor her surplus population and manu-.
iaciuFes anu TO create an empire as little yul.
nerab!e politically, economically or strategic.
ally as any the world has yet seen"
In dlscassins Gcrmany's chances OF welding
together such world power Professor Ifsher
anaiyzes the inherent weaknesses of her power.
iui rivals For example. he quotes Lord Cur
IONS remark that the English are only bit
OF froth upon an unfathomable ocean"
England Germany ha les disdains and de-
splaes. For France and Russia she possesses
Il Wholesome respect mingled with fear hut not
with love. France she considers strong man
VINO mas run his race anu is now beginning To
reach senility; Russia she looks upon as an
uncouth STRIPPING not yet conscious OF his
strength. not yet skI!ful enough to use the
strength Of which he is conscious. and not vet
Intelligent enough 10 avoid being easily de-
Ccived."
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 ana 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 startling bit OF prophecy. in
the light Of recent happenings:
THE seizure OF Belgium and Holland will
very likely be the first German move rncnt
when the actual accomplishment of Pan-Ger.
manisn seems fairly assured In
deed. il has been so long held that ar attac,
upon the autonomy of Belgium or nviland
would be the equivalent OF a declaration of
war upon Europe that Germany will certainly
avoid any such outspoken manifestation of her
Intentions
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 10 contest il,
possession with the English or from which N
intmida,e the English fleet into permitting the
German ships complete freedom of passage
80 long as the German fleet 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 II a
reality. From Holland. too. the German army
From Belgium il can most easily reach Paris
with both countries in their hands an attack
on either capitals would be equally feasible
ana the capture OF either would be equally fatal
to the Triple Entente
Inc commercial significance OF the position
OF Belgium and Holland is no less striking
ihey controi the outlet OF the Rhine and thore.
lore can prevent Germany's complete utiliza.
ton of the splendid natural higway draining
SO large and so rich section of her land,