New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-15
The Case Against Germany

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: How the educated German can
think that our attitude toward his
country at this time, with the over
whelming spectacle of Belgium before
our eyes, to say nothing Of anything
else. could be other than it is is
mystery. Professor Wien wants US TO
defer our judgment until we can get
the right historical perspective, and
distinguished Jena professor charges
me with naive ignorance of the Euro
pean situation because of my Novem-
her letter to The Tribune. No doubt
both these learned men know that
situation and the factors which
brought it about much better than
do. | have never been in Germany, nor
have made a study of her present day
methods and economies. ! have loved
her literature and philosophy. and, like
all the rest OF my countrymen, | am
beneficiary OF her science and her
efficiency. But, like the rest of my
countrymen, / trust | have ordinary
discernment and safe standard OF IN
dividual and international morality.
The events upon which we Judge
Germany stand out so that he who
runs may read. They are written large
in fire and blood across the face OF
kingdom. They are written IN the
burned cities, in demolished cathedrals,
in consumed Libraries, in piratical IN
IDENTITIES, in aerial bombardment OF
defenceless women and children and
in the insolent and overweenlng spirit
of domination that attends 1T all.
Do we need to know all the ante
cedents of these events all the diplo-
matte or political history that led up
10 them? We draw our conclusions
from the events themselves. The facts
are patent TO all, namely, that Ger
many agreed to back Austria up in
making demands upon Seryia that
would have destroyed the iatter's au-
tonomy. and that Germany knew her
course would precipitate general Eu-
ropean war. Then there lies Belgium
starving, homeless, bleeding Belgium,
whose only sin was that she was a
small kingdom and lay in the path Of
the German hosts. Belgium, who had
never taken any part in war but the
defensive part since Cesar's time; Bel
GUM, one of the most peaceful and
thrifty and humane nations in the
world.
Do we need 70 know all the secret
histories. all the diplomatic and po-
litical chicanery of the times, TO judge
of these events? Certain Of the ante
cedent factors and conditions are pat
ent to all, one of these being the
growing feeling of distrust and rivalry
that sprang from the conflict of COM
mercial interests; another, race an
tagonism, with the survival OF ancient
feuds. But the chief factor was the
growing military spirit of FAINTER
manism which begat the enormous
ornaments, built the military railways
and perfected the terrible war ma
chine which has at last been ditched
in Belgium and in Northern France.
Belgium's wrongs and Germany's
crimes are present day facts. and the
lapse of time can never make them less.
Time will soften or blur the harshness
and the terrible reality of these events.
but the murder and spoliation Of this
admirable and peaceful little state, just
because she was little, will ever remain
one Of the blacklist pages of modern
history. No plea of dire necessity, no
conjuring with right and wrong, can
palliate the crime. When the impair
tial history of the war comes to be
written, the blood and famine of this
neutral and peaceful people will strike
through and through its pages like
some indelible and internal stain. No
matter what excuse Germany had for
making war upon France. she had not
the shadow OF an excuse for destroying
or seeking 20 destroy Belgium. Bel