The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-07-27
DOMINANT GERMAN THOUGHT

The same year. and JUS before the
ou.break of the present worli-war F.
Won Bernhard a noted German schOl
ar. wrote a book entitled. Germany in
the Next War"
The author said tha. Germany had
reached crisis in her national and
political development. therefore it
was absolutely necessary 70 De clear
on three points: The goals 70 ne
aimed at. the difficulties to be sur
mounted and the sacrisees 20 be
made"
The purpose OF the book vas 10
rouse the national feeling and
strengthen the national purpose
I'VE are accustomed" he said to
regard war as a curse and refuse to
recognize it as the greatest factor in
the fur herance Of culture and power"
He combated his idea with forceful
logic and great ingenuity
= must try 20 prove he said that
war is not only a necessary element
in the life Of nations. bur an indispen-
sable factor Of culture The Ger
man people as the greatest civilized
people known 70 history. her mis-
sion he ellis US. Is TO disseminate this
civilization over the whole world and
to do so war is absolutely necessary.
The author Of the book argues some
what after this fasion
War will furnish such nation
with favorable vital conditions en-
larged possibilities of expansion and
widened influence, and thus promote
the progress of mankind "*f Without
war inferior or decaying races would
easily choke he growth Of healthy
budding elements. and an universal
decadence follow War IS az ueces-
sary as the struggle OF the elements
of nature
Might" ne goes on to say. is At
once the supreme right. and the dis
pute as to what is right is decided by
the arbitrament of war War gives a
biologi cally JUS decision"
He proclaims that the lessons OF
history confirm The view that wars
which have been deliberately planned
and provoked by far-seeing statesmen
have had the happiest results
All students Of history know that
Frederick the Great had no claims on
Silesia. but Bernhard says that by
making his own pre1ense for its seiz-
ure and taking his enemy unawares
was the starting point in making Ger
many what il is today
War seems Imperative he tells
US, when although The material ba-
sis OF power is not threatened the
moral influence OF the state land this
is the ultimate point at issue) seems
to be preiudiced Thus apparently
trifiing causes may under certain cir
cumstances constitute a fully justiha-
Bile casus belli IL the honor Of the
state. and consequently its moral pres
tige. are endangered
when il is clear" he emphasizes,
that the rival states must gradually
acquire from natural reasons a lead
that cannot be won back. when there
are indications Of an offensive ALI
ance of stronger enemies who only
await the favorable moment TO strike
the moral duty OF the state towards
its citizens is to begin the struggle
while the prospects OF success and the
political circumstances are still toler-
ably favorable
That the acts OF the state cannot be
judged by the standard of individual
morality. because he argues it has
larger and more sacred duty to per
form in comforting a higher standard
of civilization upon the 1orld.
In confirmation of this doctrine he
tells us that the "end-all and be-aI OF
state IS power. and he who Ia not
man enough to look this truth in the
face should not NEEDLE in politics"
He quotes many notices like the
following:
Dream Of peaceful day
Let him dream who may.
War is our rallying cry.
DNWar Ri RI viofn~xy