Washington Journal., 1914-12-12

that led to the present world wal
started in a little orner in the South
east of Europe, and it is remarkable
to see how, in spite OF this common
knowledge, in the eyes of the world
the European conflict has resolved it.
self into a question between Germany
and England as to supremacy in Eu.
rope. OF course England claims that
she went to war on account of the
breach of Belgian neutrality and that
she must fight to destroy the spirit of
militarism that has led to such q
fragrant disregard Of solemn treaties,
a tendency that is endangering the
peace of the world and consequently
must be crushed entirely. While Eng
land fosters no i'll feeling whatsoever
and no antagonism toward the good
people of Germany, unfortunately, in
order TO crush militarism, led by the
emperor and the military caste, the
German people will have to be destroy
ed as a nation, reducing what is LETT
to the size of a subordinate power.
For this purpose England has created
in her literary arsenal a special docket
called German Militarism, with the
works OF Won Bernhard, Treitschke
and Nietzsche as the main exhibits.
How Germany Has Kept the Peace,
It is interesting to note the number
of copies of the books OF these three
men that were sold in America before
the beginning of the war. | dare say
there were not twenty of the works o.
II one of them in the hands OF Amer
leans, outside of clubs and pubic
libraries. Won Bernhard is the chief
witness for the prosecution. He is a
retired German general of great learn
ing. independent views and strong
nersonality. His book makes interest
ing reading. Yet he is moi among the
German generals in the present war,
having been retired from the service
inst because his writings and sayings
did not meet with approval Oh ms
~snnerfofs and because his teachings
were considered very extravagant.
Ills hook has excited some comment
also in Germany, but it has been
nr,nted in only two editions, ana
carsajnly never more than ten thou-
sand comics in all have been SOLD IN
our country. The book appeared IN
l4lI. !. nIJlc OYtI IMO 0AN
ago. and | fail to see how II can naVe
created the feeling OF ina
is said to have been predominant ~
Germany for the last thirty years. !
further fail to see how a BOOK tnaJ Is
obviously written to warn the German
nenn,e against existing dangers; 10
rouse in them a warlike spirit; TO
roach them the ethics Of war and the
rights Of the stronger, can be used 10
move that such a spirit OF war was
ramnant in Germany. If it already
ov;sfed there was no need to write
such a book!
There are Won Bernhardis in all
countries. | refrain from citing Amer
can examples, because have MAD II
n rule in this country not to 1all PACK
m them. The feeling OF obligation !
have as d guest Of the United States
does not permit me to become per
sonal But what about Lord Charles
peresford. who, together with Captain
H. ber has for years and years been
oog;ng on the English to increase the
British Navy at a great sacrlhce 70 lns
country? What about LORD hoper.s
writings and sayings for years pacA
that England must have UNIVERSAL con,
scriution and a compulsory service
what about Senator HumDerl, WY
has vigorously denounced the french
ministry for ~nelecting the defense OF
The country? Did they teach anythlns
different fycm Won B~ernhardIs each-
ings? / cannot see 1t.
Then about Treitschke. He was d
professor of history and the historian
az the Prussian Government. ms
ideas we're formed from a nIelohs
study az this history. He hated u
sond sincerely and thoroughly for the
wav in which she had conquered nei
Emnire. by using might versus rlsn.'
INT his conferences were mainly az
.apaed on account of his refined rneto-
IL for he was indeed an orator OF the
e~s+ order But from being an orator
- having An influence on he German
naonle as a whole is a very far cry,
and Treitschke's preachings OF twenty
years ago have not even lornneu
school. You might just as wen say
that IAN il be proven that America :
q warlike nation because a ~ceieptaseu
Harvard professor at a later uay IN,
messed upon his ONE audience -
~ into war and help the Allies. u
that were presented to the world az
. nroof Of the American spirit there
would be a very energetic protest.
And now | come to Nletzsche; ne
,oa one of the finest OF poeticai
r-hslosonhers. or perhaps rather q
p~hiIosoDhizing poet. His teaching OF
The right of the individual as the basis
Of all right is in direct contradiction
TO Won Bernhardi's teaching ma 'ne
right Of the collectivity-that IS; o.
he state-is paramount to the rlgn.
of the citizen as an Individual TOW
therefore, can it be sara ans
The expression @supernnan'' Is nni-
rarsaIlv attributed to Nietzsche. This
% inst as incorrect as it is to cite the
German song Deutschland, Deltscn en-
sand ueber Allies as a proof o. me
worldwide aspirations OF my people