The Washington times., 1914-10-17

Z,
tive book by the man who is regarded
~ numerous writers and speakers n
his country and England as the chief
Interpreter Of the ideas of the military
0arty Of Germany. In Germany and
ne Next War" which has been *
ensiveiy quoted since the existing war
started. General Bernhard sets forth
ne war party's idea of the nations
.estiny in the modern world. In the
resent book: which was written after
Germany and the Next War" he DIS
uses some of the features which ne
Jelieved were to mark the next battles
( Germany-the battles through which.
his view, that destiny must &c
Corked out.
He also discusses what is coming
o be known as the German idea. With
directness which is one OF his most
dmirable traits as writer. Genera al
fSernhardi states that ii Is the need Tor
more territory which will force Ger
many TO make war, it being futile. he
Xplains. to expect to get by diplomacy
pansion in accordance with the popula-
ION requirements of the empire.
In view of the developments of the
resent war, some of the generals Wis
ions are remarkable. The book was
written over two years ago. and a trans
-
England last year. The present vol
me, the first publication of the work
this country. Is a condensation, con-
aiming those parts which are OF greater
direct interest to the civilian; the book
as an entirety being intended more for
Professional military men.
Foresaw Present Alignment.
General Bernhard. foresaw. for in
stance, that Germany was to face su-
perior numbers. This point is men
toned time and again-the probability
that the Fatherland would be in battle
against greater numerical array, and it
IS pointed out that this consideration
must always be borne in mind by Ger
man commanders in regard to the next
var.
Again, General Bernhard foresaw the
yossibility If not the probability, of the
resent alignment He discusses how
var will be waged If Germany and Aus
ria are confronted by Great Britain.
rance. and Russia. He also, however,
considers how war is to be waged II
Germany alone faces France, and IL
,Termanv alone faces Russia: he further
outsiders strategy II France and Rus
ia fight Germany.
In view of the part that Lord Kitch-
ener and Field Marshal French are
laying in the war. the authors COM
rents on these commanders m the
8oer war are of peculiar interest. He
applsuds French, but is critical Of
kitchener.
General Lee is among the command
srs mentioned with appreciation, but of
al commanders whose operations are
.iscussed incidentally to the developing
u the authors main argument on mod
ern war, there is none who is men
ioned with the frequency and the praise
given to Napoleon Bonaparte. 1t has
cen insisted that the Germans of to-
h. o,ad
ne brilliantly victorious France of the
'orsican always in mind as examples
q the kind of thing to which Germany
lspires. The crown prince. so II has
ieen stated frequently by well-informed
men. is worshiper at the Napoleopic
-hrIne, and certainly General Bernhardi
in this book shows that Napoleon
LEANS before his mind as no other
military figure OF history.
Need of Territory.
At the very beginning of the book
n the introduction, General Bernhard
axes his frank stand that Germany
must be prepared to the top notch of
Efficiency for war. because she will
aAve to make war to get what she
wants. He points out that Germany
mas a population OF 5,000,0 900 on an area
II about the size of France, while the
after country has only 40VO,OGo. The
ate of about 10000 a year. 1t is i'm
Jossible that on such an area a per-
lament employment can be given to
ich population. Therefore, says Cen
ral aBernhardi:
We need to enlarge our colonial pos
sessions. SO as 10 AFFORD q home and work
10 our surplus population. unless
~lsh 10 run the risk Of seeing again the
strength and productive power OF
rivals increased by German emigration.
IN former days.
Psrtitioned as the surface Of the globe
IL among nations the present time,
such territorial acquisitions can only
realize at the cost Of other states
conjunction with them; and SUCH results
are possible only II we succeed In Fecur-
ing our power in the center OF Europe
better than hitherto With every move
OF our foreign policy today have TO
face a European war against superior
enemies.
This sort Of thing is becoming intoIer-
able The freedom OF action OF our peo-
pie IL thereby hsknpered to an extraor-
binary degree. Such state Of affairs !!
peace Of Europe which. after all. is only
q secondary matter for US. but above
all: is most dangerous to ourselves. II is
we whose economical national and po-
Ideal development Is being obstructed
ard injured: IL is we whose position in
the world is being threatened after we
have purchased IT dearly with the
blood OF our best
We must, therefore. strive to ind out
by all means who is for or who Is ganst
US On this depends not only the pos
sjblIIty OF carrying into execution the
political aims BETTING the greatness and
the wants Of our country. but also the
very existence OF our people as civil
lied nation.
ii is impossible TO change the
partition OF the earth as TT now exists
IN our favor by diplomatic artinces. II
We wish 10 gain the position in the world
that Is due TO Us. We must rely on our
sword, renounce all weakly visions or
peace. and eye the dangers surrounding
us with resoiute and unninching courage.
Germany's Civilizing Power.
ESe author goes On to declare that
Rny's output in brainwork' is
than that Of any other people"
rtance Of Germany as a civ
on" IL enormous, and the ma
Acome q necessary factor in
nent Of mankind As re-
hi Bernhard h" believes that