The sun., 1914-09-27

service in the plaza around the Bis
marck monument in Berlin or who saw
the masses gathered in Dresden around
the Luther monument to sing the IA
nous hymn Elm Feste Burg 1st Unscr
Gott" this impression is confirmed.
The spirit prevailing in Munich was
that which marked the reception of the
news throughout Germany. The thrill
ing incidents that one witnessed in every
town and village during mobilization
week made one feel that one was par
| ticipating in, historic movement,
the conservation of a people To the
highest national ideals No one could
remain untouched By the sight of Il
great nation stirred to the depths, in
tenscly serious but outwardly calm and
dignifed except in so far as here and
there the high tension of patriotism led
to the chauvinistiC demonstrations Of
the mob, which were soon quolled II
was the spirit OF 1913 reborn, "A united
people fighting for its existence.
The manner in which the mobilization
of the army was carried out was equally
impressive and also pathetic. Within
few days over 900 900 volunteers
had offered their services in response to
the call. and tho number has since risen
to over 100000. Every one was ready
to go. old and young, down to boys Of
sixteen. without distinction of classes
the common laborer marched side by
side with tho physician. the lawyer,
the scholar. the artist, the musician, the
engineer. the clerk. the shop keeper and
the manufactures. For over week
there was an endless procession of men
arriving at the railway station from
smaller places. who were taken to the
barracks to receive their uniforms and
then marched back to the station to he
carried to the scene Of action. The
guns and cannon were dccked with
flowers, and the people gathered in the
streets to give the soldiers parting
cheer as thoy pDssed by. Hats were
waved, handkerchiefs nuttered. the sol
dierS sang their parting sd-g as they
marched along. rctuNirg with a smile
the tears that stood in the eyes of the
onlookcrs. | mention these details in
III" cndcavor to make clear to others
tho spirit actuating the demonstrations
throughout Germany and which | he
Hove AL Americans profoundly felt who
We're privileged to witness these scenes.
fV II was a privilege, albeit a sad one
\ people conducting itself under these
- F'Al~ VI = NllINNhl'fS as inv 'TtTIldnS
did during that memorable first week OF
August is not "A belllgerent nation. az II
has been represented to be. eager for
conquest for control uf other lands.
ruthlcssly aggressive. riding roughly
over the rights and privileges Of others.
Whether rightly or wrongly, the feel
ing throughout Germany and among all
classes was that the war was forced
upon thSm. The words OF the EN-
pcror. "fhe sword Is pressed into our
hand oMan drueCkt uns das Schwert
IN die IlAnd) found an echo in the
breast Of every German. The sincerity
"f this conviction IS beyond all question,
and | confidently appeal for confrma-
tIo1 To all Americans who were in Ger
many al the time. ! have before mo n
letter Of most Tstinru, shed scholar,
a professor In the University of Berlin,
q man IN the midst Of public life. known
for his outspokon opinions. whJ writes:
~ am depressed az the thought Of being
too old myself To go TO the war and that 7
have no son to send in my place.
venture to say that there is not a single
person in Germany who docs not feel
as ! do, that we arr lighting for our
existence II Is In this spirit that the
German people az well "a the Govern
mrnt, nave entered upon the war a
spirit Of profound tragic consciousness.
as 1t is this spirit which forms the basis
of the undaunted confidence in the ulti-
matc triumph Of their cause. All that
] ask Is that in consideration of the
situation Justice DO done to this atti- T.
tudc
There is room for differences Of opin-
Ion as to tho causes which led TO tho
war w, may differ in regard to the
share of responsibility of each Of tho
warning nations, but in order 10 Judge
fairly both of the causes and Of tho
responsibility 1t Is essential that ye
should correct the totally false view
prevailing in this country in regard to
the spirit in which Germany has en-
tered upon the war. and when saw
Germany ! mean the people. the Cow
eminent ana tho Emperor, who. as
Know on direct authority. hosltated even
after the ultimatum to Russia had OK
pred To sign the declaration OF war
believing and hoping until the last mo-
nent that war might still he avertcd.
Morris JAsTRow. Jr.
PHILADELPHIA, ptember 25.