Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-21
The Difference Between British and German Dllitarsm

these and an ideal like this 10 the peonIe,
which compose the British Empire and shane
its national life and policy? The writer am
discussing has fallen into an error which
vitiates his whole argument. He does not, or
will not. see that militarism is. first OF all and
above ALL spirit national temper, finding
Its expression in a corresponding national
polity and organization. finding expression,
too, by the mouths Of militant philosophers
and in the proclamations OF monarch whose
proudest title is the lord OF war DO these
things reflect the spirit and temper OF the FREQ
democraces OF Great Britain, Canada. Aus
tralia? Listen to the writer once more:
IF Great Britain should emerge triumphant
Germany and should attempt to assert an
oferlordship OF the seas In contempt OF Ameri
can interests and American rights, this nation
would go to with her again.
On the hypothesis as he states it-and hap
PLY even he states it no Eore than
hypothess-there is only possible com.
mcnt--qute right, too. But because America
would go to war in such case are We to call
her militaristic? because OF this are we to say
that there is distinction between German
militarism and American militarism?
1t is precisely because Germany and her ally
did-in fact. there is no hypothesis here-try
TO asert "overlordship" Of Europe, and OF
more than Europe in contempt OF the interests
and rights OF free peoples. that the British
Empire is at war today. The paramount OBJ
ject OF our ornaments, such they have been
and whether on land or sea. has been, and
still Is to prevent any single nation establish
ing or exercising such an overlordship
hegemony among the nations for in such
position we have always seen not only the
greatest peril to own security, but the end
of freedom for the world.
Such is the task In which our arms are now
engaged. 1t is one in which, as It seems to u.s.
may more reasonably expect from Ameri.
cans sympathy than suspicion and In view OF
which we may more reasonably ask to be COM
mended for what doing than to be
threatened on the score of what, up to now, We
nave neither done, nor attempted. nor even
been in a position to do.
There is no need to tell that America
VIII and can, If need be, defend her rights and
interests. We are quite aware Of the fact. and
to tell a man what he knows quite we'll, and
what you know quite we'll that he knows quite
we'll. is not only as rule superfuous, but may
In certain cases be, to say the least of It, some
what ungracious. Therefore these articles on
which have been commenting seem to us, and
Will seem, believe, to many Americans, to be
tstl saying tho least of IT. somewhat un.
gracious.
a more serious matter is that they propagate
an entirely false and misleading conception
of the temper in which the British peoples
are fighting this war and OF the aims when
inspire their efforts, u conception which, II
1t spread, would seriously prejudice the goo
work for the world in which, SO soon as cir
cumstances permit the United States and the
British Empire may hope to join hands, even
as they arc now joining hands in the succor o,
Belgium. 1t is doing no good service to either
people to undermine the confidence which
exists between them to-day and which has
weathered the storms Of a hundred years.