The sun., 1916-09-03
Prof. Henri Bergson Looks for a Union of Nations as the Result of a
Struggle Unique in It's Dangers, Its Ideals and the
Achievements of It's Armies

II have not studied prussian history
sufficiently 10 know the origin OF the
Junkcr class, but u proof that such a
class is not "a necessary product of an
aristocracy lies in the non-existence
Of that class in Russia"
you have directed attention." I sug-
gested. ito the fact that the ambition
of this class toward war was what
brought on this conflict. 1t insisted
upon continual preparation for war.
Ii locked forward to war. Always 1t
was prating Of Der Tag you say.
On the other hand, the Allies, whom
you think will win. were not in a mill
tary sense TO any such degree prepared
for war. You say this is a fight for
human liberty. Is IL then soul. and
no preparedness for war, which helps
the Allies and will sweep them on TO
victory?'
I'VE must not exagcerate things
said Prof. Eergson. "If there had been
no preparedness for war whatever
among the Allies it would have been
impossible even to begin the struggle
against German military strength.
Strength of soul is always splendid.
ia IL InNlSl W dlIIlltltu tHdl WltnOlt
artillery 1t would III of little use in
such n war as that which we are fight
Ing at tho present moment. Artillery.
rifles. munitions. trained men. all these
in other words. a certain prepared
ness-are necessary in the world as il
Is now.
Germany was far better prepared
than any others Of us were. for the
simple reason that Germany has done
nothing else during forty-four years
than TO think of wal me get ready for
ii. And she knew that war was COM
ing "a her. FOR she knew that one day
or another she would declare it.
1T must either have been that or
that she was bent On having such an
army that she could obtain whatever
she might fancy and demand even
without the declaration of war through
the mere possession of an irresistible
strength.
we knew that We were threatened.
but when YOU do not know exactly
when you will be attacked. and when
you are not perfectly certain that YOU
are to he attacked. our preparedness
is likely To bc m more than half pre-
p~aredness. 1t is the anne. let us say.
in n theatre. which should always he
prepared for fire. You nay take it as
a law that all theatres which are left
standing as theatres permanently
sooner or later Will lie destroyed by
fire. In the case Of any particular the
atre the fire may come a hundred years
from now. but also IL may come this
evening.
Even IN the case ~ preparation the
c~ventuation az the disaster Invariably
proves hat al precautions were not
taken. Because those who made the
preparations iad no idea as To wnen
these precautions were likely to lie
called upon to .o their saving work.
and there you are. That was our
state Of mind. We were PREPARED for
war. but not as we would have been
had We been perfectly sure that Ger
many would attack. and when. our
preparedness never was complete.
That made an immense difference.
Though We were physically prepared
We were insuticicntiy prepared. Which
brings mo back to g nsid.ration of the
wording Of your question. which con-
cerned preparedness no: physical. but
OF the soul.
"'ur victory viii he tho result IL
J preparedness OF soul, as yOu suggest,