New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-28
Germany and the Next War

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The most highly significant evidence
Of the German mind. and. by the same token
never intended for publicity outside Ger
many. is 10 be found in recent article IN
he "Berliner Loksl Anzeiger' over the sig
nature Of Walter Rsthenau, the individual
sho for number Of years before war had
complete charge Of Official organization
,nong var need industrial establishments IN
n. German Empire, and who has been depu-
lied TO continue this particular work In the
.upreme effort the Teutonic nation IS about
o put forth.
This article, which is before my eyes as
write, says in full, copied verbatim;
We began the war year too soon. When
We have secured a German peace we must
begin a. once q reorganization upon 8
broader and frmer basis than ever before.
Establishments that produce raw materials
essential 20 the army must not only con-
tinue their work, but enter into II upon
lines Of increased energy, forming thus the
kernel OF economic Germany in preparing
in tho economic sense for the next war.
We must carefully calculate in advance, IN
view Of lessons learned in this war, what
our country lacks in raw material or essen
tisls of raw material, and secure immense
reserves 10 remain unused until q day IN
the future We must organize as genuine
an industrial mobilization ss We had 8
military mobilization. Every technician
or scmi-technician, enrolled or not in the
lis. OF modified, must be empowered
through official credentials TO take charge
and direction Of a given establishment upon
the second day following new declara-
ton OF war. Every establishment manu-
featuring for commercial purposes must be
modified also and understand officially
that upon the third day after declaration
or war their entire abilities are to be de-
voted 10 serving the army upon demand.
Il must also be determined in advance
lust what quantities and sort OF essentials
such establishment can furnish the army
in a given time. Each establishment also
should be required 10 furnish q detailed
list OF workmen who can be dispensed
with. these alone 10 be modified in the
military sense.
We must finally establish some definite
commercial understanding with nations
outside Europe that will offer them ad-
vsntages 10 be duly specified in detail
whereby these nations as neutrals will find
IL 70 their direct disadvantage CONNER
ciallv 10 trade or sell munitions during
war 20 either ourselves or our enemies. We
can afford TO offer such conditions our
selves. And finally, when the next war
comes. it must not be year too soon.
Here In a nutshell, or Kernel" TO quote
rank Mr.. Rsthensu, is what Allied Europe
as long understood, and what has not been
ruly understood in the United States save
Y a relative few.
Il is the reason why the war would be
ontinued for ten years n necessary by
rance, England and their allies. 1t is the
eason Why nothing short OF the Knockout
dll serve 1t is the reason why any talk or
fort for peace would be i'll received even If
acked by the best OF motives and official
auction from the greatest Of neutrals, or
be smallest, or all the neutrals collectively.
The war cloud that hung over Europe for
hirty years PRIOR to August, 1914, must be
dispersed finally and forever. The intolera-
le conditions prevailing must be finally made
impossible OF repetition. The horrors and
nseries, the suffering and privation, the
yhole camut Of evil that no single individual
an understand through reading the writing
= another, that must be seen, felt, expe-
fenced through the senses 20 be grsspcd even
y outer circle, must never again be a worldly
ortion.
This will only be possible through making
-sr against war until humane peace is the
ewsrd. II would be as impossible under a
iermsn peace as would a railway journey
o Mars.
Germany realizes all I have here written
o . sincerity beyond nero words for the tell
~. She feels her setting sun. She Is
esehiug out at the two oxtrems extremes OF
he compass In vain effort TO remedy that
beginning the war year too soon
one Is her present huge peace propaganda
n the United States The other is her last
upremo effort in tho levee en- rnasse, the de-
ortation Of the Belgian populsce, the king
ON" Of Poland, and all the rest OF IT,
Neither scheme. neither plan, will avail.
he feels II, and senses but q desperate post
,onement Of the inevitable. The mills Of the
ods are grinding.
tn. article from the sBsritnsr LekL An
slger" is but reiterstivs proof Of open stu
endous fact patent TO individual or nation
Who will iudlcislly examine the evidence at
his s5Oth day Of hostilties.
The fact is, the issue is no longer between
he Allied and Central Powers. They but
epreseut two ideas. One champions JUS
ice. humanity, civilization, the right of peo-
les, respect for moral law, and understand
ng as 70 definition Of the word honor. The
,ther has deliberately as aim the ultimate
onination of the globe by a Prussanized
germany. HENRI Balm
Paris, France, Nov. u, 1916.
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