Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-02-04
GERMANY'S
EXPLANATION

A few weeks ago Louis Kraft, a
former resident of Alexandria, but
now spending the evening OF life III
the Fatherland, sent letter to the
Gazette complaining of the alleged
garbled accounts of the progress OF
the war in Europe. He naturally
sympathizes with the country OF his
birth in the great struggle which Is
horrifying the world. The Gazette
published his observations.
Justus Schneider, another old and
! esteemed resident of this city, also
of German birth, brought d periodi--
tn office today which contain
~ og article in extenuation Of the
o Germany in drawing the
as summer against England,
aec. lssia and Belgium. 1t is
{. or publication in the Ga
.ss1e, - would cover over Il page,
tt 95n points of the writer ar
g .a3e.lt cal be summed up briefly.
clajn1s that no class in Ger
MI; oI3: ustria favored going to
wa So .i}& the conflict was forced
up, Countries. The allegation
is. made. that Germany is u peace
loving nation, and an appeal is MADE
to the fact that German-Amerlcans
are pacific and Industrious and are
: among our best citizens.
The writer then proceeds TO en-
culpate the Emperor William and
his army and navy boards of the
charge of precipitating the war, and
declares it was the spontaneous act
of the German nation.
Several months ago the British
and German War Offices sent out
pamphlets giving histories Of Euro
pean diplomacy during the past
forty years, in which each nation
disclaimed the responsibility for the
terrible carnage now i'll evidence.
These publications were studied
closely by the Gazette. and while
sef-interest was apparent among
the representatives of the countries
involved. it was apparent that future
historians will lay the blame Off the
present war where it belongs--not on
the German people,but upon Empe-
ror William and his military and
naval boards.
Many now living remember the
time when Prussia was compara-
lively small nation in Europe, and
those who have watched the progress
Of history have seen the Vaccinations
of Count Bismarck in forming the
German Confederation with Berlin
as the capital Millions of peace.
loving people were made subjects Of
Prussia and compelled to conform to
her cruel military laws. the males
passing more than half the allotted
average CT life in drilling.
The writer Of the article referred
to above is correct when he says the
Germans are L peace loving people
as he is SuhStantiated by the TACT
that many thousands of this race
have at times left the country Tor
the United States where there are
no cross drill-sergeants TO make
their lives miserable nor military
duties to occupy their time
The utimatum to Serv'a. which
precipitated the present struggle.
was inspired by the Kaiser When
the little nation Inundated itself by
complying with all demands, save two
or three which were destined to blot
her from the map Of Europe, a WORD
from the German Emperor to AUS
tria would have prevented war. hu'
he insisted that Austria should Ill no
way blunt the sharp edge Of the III
timatum, and Servia was forced to
defend herself.
y We have no interest whatever III
inc strife. bat merely hope right VIII
III against might.
n