The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-09-27
BY DR.. Hans Huldricksen,
the Eminent Swedish Sociologst

~
r. expressions which have become familiar
L indicating in a general way what
IS really at the bottom of the causes for the
present war. When the war has been fought
TO a finish, which will be the dominant power
in Europa federation of all the Germans
under the Kaiser's rule of all the Slavs
brought under the sceptre of the Gear?
Respecting Pan-Germanism, there are some
points of quite remarkable scientific prophecy
made by an American historian, who wrote
that the Germans aim at nothing less than
the domination of Europe by the Germanic
race"
At the time these words were written, or
even when first published, year ago, such
a war as is raging throughout Europe was
merely theoretical probability. Diplomats
and historians realized only that the war dogs
were Juggling at the leash. Their breaking
loose did not appear imminent; no signs of
sufficient pretext could be dscerned.
Yet now, when virtually all the nations of
Europe are at each others threats, the state
ment above quoted will seem to most readers
SO obvious to be trite. The argument which
1t introduces, however, is rich in material upon
which the thinking reader may base expecta-
lions regarding the future of the nations at
war. 1t is contained in the volume called
"Pan-Germanism," and is published by Hough-
ton Mitflin Company, Boston. Its author is
Roland G. Usher Phi. d., professor of history
at Washington University, st. Louis, and him
self historian of reputation.
Professor Usher remarks that "one of the
vocates of peace have been often guilty" is
to treat the vast projects of Germany as an I'M
reality. He considers the project already half
accomplished. ut is literally true" he de-
ares. that Germany has become Bismarekian
His heavy spirit has settled upon it. 1t wears
his scowl'
when Ii Huns Chang first learned from
Bismarck the magnitude of these plans he
skeptical But before his brief stay in
Germany was over he wrote in his diary:
From all that | have seen | am more than ever
convinced that the Kaiser and Prince Bismarck
meant what they said when they averred that
the German Empire was destined to become
dominant factor in Europe
1.-THE vital factor in the modern international
situation is the aggression of Germany, her
determination to expand her territories to in
crease her wealth and power Three centuries
ago Prussia was a tiny state whose many
parts were separated from each other by the
lands of her neighbors. Cut off from the sea
all Sides pushed hither by the oncoming
Russian, dragged thither by the encroaching
French, surrounded by tiny incompetent states
her rulers saw in aggression the only possible
method of preserving the national life. To
prevent her absorption by her neighbors she
grow faster than they she must rob them in
stead OF waiting for them TO rob her. By war,
she secured access to the Baltic; by war, she
obtained the coveted Silesia; by war she an
nexed much of Poland; by war, she spread
her aegs over the whole of northern Germany.
THE humiliation of conquest she knew I'M
der Napoleon and she has never forgotten nor
ever will that no natural barriers stand be-
tween her and the invader. Poverty-stricken,
still recovering from the ravages of the wars
of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries,
menaced on all sides by powerful enemies, her
only safety, Bismarck saw, lay in aggression,
her only chance of victory depended upon
striking the first blow. By this policy she has
built up one OF the most powerful states in
the world and one of the most populous and
prosperous. But she has reached the bounda-
ries of Germany; further expansion means the
acquisition of what other nations now own"
or course, that means war for every really
available spot is held by England France or
Russia. Germany can, therefore, obtain colo
MES suitable for her purposes only at the ex-
.pense OF these last This is what is meant by
the oftreiterated statements that England
France and Russia by their very existence
inimical to Germany's welfare; that if she is
to escape ruin she must fight them"