Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-17
CERMANY'S REASONS
FOR MAKING WAR
Latest Book BY Gen. Bernhard,
Celebrated Adviser of Kaiser,
Frankly Details Germany's Pur-
noses - Plan to Obtain World
SUPREMACY BY "the Sword"


UyyE NEED to enlarge our colo
"N/nial possessions 50 as to afford
" a home and work to our sur
plus population" declares General Fredi-
erich Won Bernhard, OF the German cav
slry hi his latest book, How Germany
Makes War;" just published by the George
H. Doran Company. I'VE must do this
unless we wish to run the risk of seeing
again the strength and productive rower
of our rivals increased by German emil
grafton as in former days.
"Partitioned as the surface of the globe
Is among nations at the present time" he
continues, such territorial acquisitions
we can only realize at the cost of other
states or in conjunction with them; and
such results are possible only IL we sue
ceed in securing our power In the centre
of Europe better than hitherto. With
every move of our foreign policy today
we have to face European war against
superior enemies"
BY some General Bernhardi Is consid-
cred as the voice of imperial and mill
taristic Germany spoaking-by others not.
Whatever the famous and most able mill
tarist says, however, is of momentous in
terest, inasmuch as the plans outlined in
his much discussed book, Germany and
the Next War" have been practically
followed by the Germans in their present
campaign. Bernhardi writes with an
amazing candor. He foresees the neces-
sity and inevitably for war IL Germany
is to secure the territory needed for her
commercial expansion. He anticipates the
waEing of q war by Germany and Aus
tria IL they are confronted by Russia,
France and England, and foresees the
present conflict, and the allied nation
alities engaged. The book, written for
mllitarists and commanders, was pub
lished in Germany two years ago, and
translation issued in England last year.
This book somewhat condensed, has just
come from the presses. In view OF what
has occurred Bernhardis forecasts are
almost clairvoyant. At least one must
consider Bernhardl as possessing second
sight If, as some claim. Germany did not
follow these outlined plans with delibera-
tion and forethought.
Speaking of Germanys lack OF terrl-
tory, the general says:
'This sort of thing Is becoming lntol-
cradle The freedom of action OF our
people is thereby hampered to an ex-
traordinary degree. Such state OF al
fairs is highly dangerous not only for
the peace of Europe, which, after all,
is only n secondary matter for us, but'
above all, is most dangerous to our
selves II is we whose economical, ma
tional and political development is being
obstructed and injured; 1t is we whose
position in the world is being threatened
after we have purchased it so dearly with
the blood of our best. We must, there
fore strive to find out by all means
who is for or who is against us. On
this depends not only the possibility Of
carrying into execution the political aims
BETTING the greatness and the wants
of our country, but also the very exist
ence of our people as civilized nation.
1T is impossible to change the par
% ba rth ayiStS
our favor by diplomatic artihces. If we
wish to gain the position in the world
that is due to us, we must rely on our
sword renounce all weakly visions of
peace and eye the dangers surrounding
us with resolute and unfilnchlng cour-
age"
There is no doubt in the generals
mind as to Germany's right to carry on
n campaign OF invasion for "the posi-
ton in the world due to u.s." Germany
as "civiliZing nation has become fac
tor in the evolution of mankind" There
fore, II is Germany's duty to spread her
'idealism" and labor and, by the sword |
II necessary, to disseminate her "cul-
ture." Germany, asserts Bernhardi, |
must strive by every means to uphold |
her military supremacy" The Germans |
must become 1.-THE dominating race of
Europe" Germany has to accomplish |
high calling in the development of |
mankind" But 1t can only put this |
task 10 good account II it exerts It's mill |
ttary strength to the utmost"
In justifying his contentious that Ger |
many Is entitled to more territory lin |
the SUM- Bernhardi points out that on an
area about the size of France Germany
has population of 65.O0O,OOO against the
40. 0000 600 of France. Moreover, the Ger
man population is increasing at the rate
of 100000 year.
Bernhard foresees that in war Ger
many will have to face France, Eng
land and Russia, and in all probability
single handed. Germany is, therefore,
dependent on her own strength"
The general makes short WORK OF peace
treaties. Inasmuch as this country in
the last fourteen months made arbitra-
ton treaties with twenty-slN countries
what he says possesses a certain NOR
dant quality.
ut is true the world Is dominated to-
day by the idea of war being an anti
quated means of policy, unworthy of a
civilized nation. The dream of eternal
the community in the Old and particularly
In the New World. Whereas. formerly
In addition to Emanuel Kant. only en-
and Missionaries were the cham
pions of universal brotherhood. the gov
ernments of great and powerful States
have now seized this idea as we'll, and are
cloaking themselves with the mantle of
a superior humanity. The arbitration
courts, which the contracting powers en-
gage 10 obey, are meant not only to les
zen the dangers OF war but 10 remove
them altogether. This Is the publicly
avowed object of such politics. In reality
II Is hardly caused by an ideal love of
peace, but Is evidently meant to serve
quite different political purposes.