The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-15
German Land Hunger

German Land Hunger
TT HE only one of the many German argu-
mcnts as to hor justification in the
present war that has made any sensible i'm
preston on American public opinion is the
contention that her European territory was
not sufficient for her growing population
Germany needed more territory in Europe
and colonies elsewhere to take care of the
surplus population In an area about the
size of France, Germany has population of
$4,000, 600, as against the former country's
40,00O,00O
The colonial bargain counter had been
pretty well picked over before Germany had
hand to grab, and so, according to her
writer's. military and philosophical, only by
victorious war can she acquire the territory
suited to her needs and warranted by her
culture. The spread of that culture, indeed.
is to follow in the wake Of conuuering Ger
man armies.
offsetting whatever FEASIBILITY there may
be In this argument are few plain facts
One of the major of these is the fact that
European Germany is far from being a
crowded country 1t does not support such
dense population as does Belgium or rather
as Belgium did before neutrality treaties
became scraps of paper" Then, too, follow
ing the growth of industrialism in Germany,
there has been notable falling off in the
German birth rate, so distinct falling off
that it had become national problem TO
discover means to supplant the "two-chldren'
standard by birth rate commensurate with
the needs of the army.
Ihe amazingly frank General Won Bern
hardi says in his book, How Germany Makes
War;
weNneed to enlarge our possessions
as to afford 4 home and work to our.
surplus population. unless wish to
run inc FISK OF seeing again the
strength and productive power OF our
rivals Increased by German emisration
In former days.
This declaration would seem to be adj
dressed to the United States for this country
has welcomed many more German settlers
than any other country in the world II is
not clear that this emigration has worked
any hardship on Germany, but it is perfectly
apparent that it has greatly benefited a
large number of men Of German blood, who
have found better home here than they
could in the Fatherland, or they would not
remain with us. y
The unexpressed American theory is that
1t Is better for man TO be happy in foreign
country than unhappy in his own. For
instance, the fact that several thousands of
coed Americans have gone to Canada in the
hope OF lettering themselves, has left us
perfectly unmoved. Even the thought that
they may renounce their allegiance to the
united States causes MS no particular heart
break; at least it does not cause us to covet
one inch OF our neighbours territory We
may believe that they were mistaken in not
travelling South rather than North in their
quest for new home, but our chief hope is
that they have not changed for the worse,
and we have no fear at all that 1.-THE strength
and productive power" of our rivals will be
Increased at our expense
or late years the German migration TO this
country has greatly decreased, because, no
doubt, there has been plenty Of work at good
wages for the population at home If Ger
many ever becomes really ovcrcrowded, the
stream Of emigrants will doubtless flow again
to this and other countries that have elbow
room If in their new homes they live
peaceful. industrious and contented lives, true
German patriots should experience the same
deep sense of satisfaction as would all true
humanitarians A lover OF mankind is con-
cerned only with the welfare of human beings
and not al all with the greatness Of empires.