The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-14
Continued from First Page.

~ ~ '"i IV"Oi III Wv w W w w VAIN o' h''
antagonists on all sides if circumstances made this necessary.
That such a preparation did not follow any aggressive
aims should have been proved sufficiently by the fact that, for
forty-four years, in spite of all antagonisms and often by
making sacrifices. she maintained peace, and that she allowed
to glide by all opportunities when she could have attacked her
enemies under advantageous conditions. Germany, however,
does not owe her growing power to a policy of expansion, grasp
ing what is to be grasped. but to a peaceful, untiring mental
and economical effort and to the establishment of general
obligatory military service which, during a century of GUS
tom. has educated the nation to a realization of duty and de-
velopment of strength.
Her power of defence is the real source of her prosperous
development, and at the same time the only protection of her
liberty and her borders. open on all sides.
Power or Decline"
More quickly than could have been anticipated the ques-
ton sprang up before us whether we should submit to the
commandments given upon the strength of our enemies, and
Herewith surrender the claim to be recognized as an authori-
tative Great Power, or whether we should offer defiance to
the uniustifable threats and risk a war against this ring of
enemies numerically superior.
Power or decline was the serious question which came
up to us during the last days of July, 1914. The Ger
man Emperor did not hesitate to draw the sword for Germany's
freedom to work out her destiny and to pick up the gauntlet of
strife insolently thrown before her.
Russia modified for the protection of the Servian assas-
sins when Austria demanded due reprisal. France as Russia's
ally also called her armies to the colors. Thus Germany.
in order not to be compelled to step before her enemies
unprepared, saw herself forced to adopt counter measures;
but in doing this the casus beli was given. In spite of all the
peaceful efforts of the German Emperor in the contest of the
opposing elements, the solution of the existing tremendous
problem no longer could be warded off. England Joined the
two united continental States under the pretext that Germany
had violated Belgian neutrality, and now declares before all
the world that she took up arms for the protection of the weak,
"for a German victory would mean the subiugation of the
world
But what does this claim really amount to? England
still owes proof that Germany has ever even threatened with
her might a weaker State. Nothing of the sort has ever
happened or even been planned since the German Empire has
existed. True, we have carried war into Belgium; but Belgium
had given up her own neutrality long before the German in
vasion began.
Belgium Member of Conspiracy.
To-day there remains no longer any doubt. and it has
been proved by unimpeachable documents which have been
published in the North German Gazette NorddeutSchc AVgc-
meme Zeitung), that Belgium, long before the beginning of
the war. had made agreements with England in case Britain
should become involved in a war with Germany. England had
declared that under such circumstances it would positively land
troops in Belgium, and Belgium has not made the least objec-
ton to this violation. England, therefore, simply considered
Belgium as a vassal State which would have to serve her as a
bulwark for her position on the Channel, and the nominany neu-
trail Belgium absolutely submitted to this assumption.
The well thought out and grandly drawn plan Of Gen.
Joffre, which would deserve all recognition from a military
standpoint. appears-so far as one is able to Judge from the
events-to have been the following: the great mass of the
French army was to have been collected in northern France
in order to advance against the right wing of the German
army. Then. if the Germans-as apparently was assumed
on the part of France would be the case-should on their part
march into Belgium, in order to gain room for the disposition
of their troops and to oppose the French offensive. then the
Belgian army, together with 100000 English landed in the
meanwhile. were to advance against the right flank of the Ger
mans to crush their right wing, and, in conjunction with the
French main army, to roll up from the north the entire German
army standing on the French border. Northward of Cologne,
where only the weak fortress Of Wesel had to be conquered, the
Rhine was to be crossed, and the army of the Allies was to
enter into the heart of Germany in this manner, avoiding the
strong Notifications on the Rhine proper.
England Responsible for War.
This plan of the Allies demonstrates that Belgium in
reality was not a neutral State; that Germany was justified
yes, even was obliged to invade B~elgium-and that Germany
did not violate weak Belgium, but that, on the contrary, Bel
GUM had united herself with our worst enemies. with inten,
tions which are still hidden in the dark of the cabinets, but un
doubtedly under the pressure and at the instigation of England
..l;.l -. o,or, xn,yi &c onc for h. ror1 nor IA
British claim is no less ridiculous than the claim of England
that Germany's victory would mean the subiugation of the
world. This is an assertion absolutely without foundation
which could not be subStantiated; for German policy every
where has protected in the most p~ainstaking manner the rights
of third parties, and also in her colonial aspirations has pro-
ceeded with the most far reaching regard of the interests of