Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-04
WHY IS GERMANY
OBJECT OF HATRED?
People Cannot Understand Dis
like and Distrust Of Their
Fathcrland.
PAPERS TRY TO EXPLAIN
They Attribute Unpopularity to
Systematic Campaign of
Vilifcation.
PAPERS TRY TO EXPLAIN
BY FREDERICK WERNER.

BERLIN, July 3.-The fact that Ger
mans are disliked and distrusted in
practically every country but their
own is a source Of never-endins sur
prise to the people here. and one paper
after another tries to find a suitable
explanation.
The Hamburger Nachrichten. dealing
with this subject. comes to the conclu-
zion that there is really nothing in
the German national character which
should arouse feelings of ill-will
against Germans. 1t admits that a
certain ruggedness in the behavior of
most Germans and a lack Of respect for
conventions in table manners and
dress may possibly jar on the nerves
of sticklers for etiquette and form, but
surely this is no reason for unpopu-
larity. no more than German straight
forwardness and lack of discrimination.
The real reason why we are dis
liked" the paper says. lis because for
many generations we have been sland-
cred and lied about everywhere. There
has been a systematic campaign of
vflifcation carried on against us in
France, England and even In America,
and the result of this has been that
we have come to be looked upon as
standing outside the pale OF civiliza-
tion."
EVERY NATION IN WORLD
is JEALOUS OF GERMANY
Another reason why Germany is dis
liked. the paper says. is that every ma
ton in the world is Jealous OF Ger
many. because she has surpassed them
in the great works Of civilization
DIR. Gruber. one Of Bavaria's politi-
cal professors. has been lecturinE on
War, Peace and Biology" and comes
to some remarkable conclusions.
This war, he declares. was inevitable
and unavoidable. 1t might have been
postponed, but 1t had to come sooner
or later. 1t is Idle to debate who is
most to blame for the outbreak of hos
tilities. AS matter of fact, Ger
many was to blame. says the professor;
not blameworthy in any moral sense,
but in the biological sense. Germany
is to blame because she has stretched
and used her power to it's utmost. be-
cause in forty-four years she has in
creased her population from 10000, 900
to 6S.o00.000. The war was. therefore,
a biological necessity.
Life is the being powerful, is the
possession Of superfuous power. Is act
ing and creating at ones pleasure. This
leads to competition. It is the same
with nations as with individuals
Sometimes this competition is mutually
helpful. but more frequently the pros
perity Of one disturbs the prosperity
of others. In this way arose the desire
to in5ure Germany, a desire increased
by the divergence of character between
Germany and her enemies"
The war, says the professor, has be-
come battle of ideals. caused by vary
ing conceptions of human development
and of human freedom.
INCREASE OF POPULATION
MUST STRENGTHEN NATION
In conclusion Professor Gruber men-
toned certain biological demands" for
the future. One OF these must be a
strengthening OF the nation by large
increase of population, and to such an
extent that Germany will be rendered
invulnerable.
II the population Of the empire grows
at the rate OF the first five years OF
this century, 1t will have reached ESQ.,
100000 in the year 1000. The popula-
ton Will be enormously increased by
planting out of the capable men and
women on the land and by the develop
mcnt thereby of all available land. But
this increase of numbers and powers.
this growing delight in the development
of strength, and it's effect on other ma
tons, either similarly or differently
situated makes war what Professor
Gruher and General Bernhard agree
in calling biological necessity"