Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-30
Gormany's Failure to Understand

Gcrmany'S Failure to Understand
WIHEN both branches Of Congress over
w whelmngly adopted the principle of
compulsory service, they gave final proof
OF truth which the rest of the world has
known all along, and which even the Ger
man mind must be beginning dimly to COM
prehend-that the failure Of Germany's plans
was inevitable from the beginning. because
in building them Germany failed to under
stand other peoples
AT the outset, Germany believed Belgium
would not resist the violation Of her neu-
trality; Belgium resisted, and nobly.' Ger
many believed France was decadent and could
not fight; France has written glorious chan
ter In the history Of sacrifice and bravery.
Germany believed England in truth a
nation of shopkeepers. and that her "con-
temptiblc little army" would be but a
triling obstacle in the path of triumphant
frightfulness; that Contemplate little army"
was almost obliterated, but it held long
enough for Great Britain to awaken. and it's
place has been taken by millions drawn from
every quarter Of the globe
Germany believed that the banner Of the
Sultan of Turkey would lead holy war, that
India would rise and that every protectorate
and sovereignty in Asia and Africa would
revolt and follow the helmet of the "friend
of Mohammed India and Egypt and all of
Frances colonies have remained loyal and
Germany's territories are all lost to her
Germany believed Russia could be crumbled
so quickly that all the armies of Kultur
could be released to combat the rising men
ace in the west. In spite Of cruelty and
revcrses from without and within, Russia has
fought on, and the German influence, which
well-nigh ruled Russia's court, has been cast
out by the people
Germany believed that the Teutonic ele-
ment in this country's population would be
In
German alliance. Presenting on that belief.
Germany committed act after act Of fero-
clous frightfulness, in the hope of terrifying
the nations opposed TO the Superman. In
stead of bringing fear, this calculated in
humanity imbued Germany's enemies with a
cold fury that crystalized into a cold deter
mination to put it down and render it harm
less at any cost. And 1t turned this countrys
neutrality, day by day. into adherence and
loathing. Even then, Germany believed that
seething spirit could be held leashed, that
German residents and agents and sympathiz-
ers could keep this country out Of war
Germany believed we were too prosperous
too content. to go to war, and that we would
submit to insult, injury and the murder of
our people unfortunately. With that object in
view, every effort made to hamper the
President when he saw that we had come to
the parting OF the ways. And when diplo-
matte relations finally were brol1en-to Ger
many's professed amazement-there still re-
manned great comfort for Germany, not un-
derstanding. Germany believed we should
make war only Japan is doing, formally,
but without military effort.
When Congress appropriated a great sum
Of money to the use Of the allies, Germany
doubtless believed that would be the limit
OF our effective operations. AS one of Ger
manys public men was quoted as having said
1afn nin
war" And Germany had no fear. because it
knew the weakness Of our military establish
mcnt and believed this people would never
consent to CONSUMPTION. which Germany we'll
knew was the only means by which a great
and formidable army could be raised.
Now that army will be raised and Ger
many may begin to understand this people
at last and to see somewhere ahead the end
Of all its dreams