New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20
DUTCH PROFESSOR
UPBRAIDS GERMANS
Says Governments Policy
of Denial Has Made
Nation Ridiculous.
CRITICISES LETTER
OF "INTELLECTUALS"
Asserts Attitude of Defence
Writers Argues Lack Of
National Pride.

Recent German newspapers copies
Of which have just reached New York
give prominence to letter written
by Dutch university professor TO a
German colleague, in which the writer
criticises the proclamation sent by a
large number Of German intellect
uals" to the universities of the United
States, denying German atrocity
charges.
The letter was first published in the
"Koelnische Zeitung," and a transla-
tion follows:
"A certain lack Of national pride
speaks out Of those German defence
writer's. That. at least, is the impress
sion they make upon US neutrals. We
Netherlanders have saying which
means, Do right and don't look
around The Germans would make
greater hit with me Il they would live
up to that theory.
Another thing about these defence
papers is that they are all written in
a broad tone Of conviction, scorn and
authority, in the style of congress
sional speeches, that upon the sober
Dutch people they make an impression
almost humorous.
"What is it supposed 10 mean, that
expression which is repeated time and
time again, 1T is not true. Perhaps, II
is not true But the mere assertion
that it is not can be convincing only
for those who presumed from the be-
ginning that everything the Germans
said or did must be absolutely right
and just.
"No German savant would allow him.
self TO be told what he should believe,
or not believe, in any question, no mat
ter by what authority. But we neu-
trails are supposed to believe without
question, 1T is not truel' Another
feature is that a noted scientist, whose
judgment in this respected profession
everybody appreciates, certainly is not
necessarily a man who can decide such
questions properly.
1--WE Hollanders know very we'll that
armies turn to barbarism. That has
been taught US often enough by our
colonial army Of about 10000 men. The
troops in the field are therefore
changed as often as possible, so that
brutality is prevented as much as pos
sble.
"All the warning nations, however,
by acting as II their own soldiers never
did anything wrong, create an unpleas-
ant impression. was very indignant
when Germany violated the neutrality
of Belgium. But when the Imperial
Chancellor said, We are doing wrong,
but we must do it for military rea-
sons | was partially conciliated. Ne
cessity offers a strong excuse.
But there the thing should have
ended. Afterwards, when all kinds or
little excuses were made to show that
Germany had the right to take the &C
ton she took, it served only to antag-
onize the neutrals. The standpoint
represented by the Chancellor in the
beginning was more manly. | can UNI
derstand his attitude; yet ] maintain
that Germany is no longer entitled to
such tone Of disgust when others do
not keep international treaties.
Some people think only of this un-
fair proportion, and they do not have
70 be asked with whom they sympa-
thze. II may take the liberty to give
the Germans piece Of advice, | would
say. For goodness sake, quit excusing
yourselves Let US have nothing Of
that which only history can Judge