Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-03-13

%. Facility of communication by
modern telegraph, telephone and
wireless may result in quick diplom-
acy with inadequate deliberation and
SO more danger Of precipitate action,
from which it is difficult to retreat
on account of pride. This with con-
tinuity of communication through
steamship, airship and submarine,
make it more difficult to avoid in
fringing on the rights of others, es-
pecially in war where military neces-
sity knows no law
z5. Leading statesmen of England
have repeatedly said that large pre-
pondering armaments are a menace
to peace.
30. The repeated assurance, given
time and again, that great army
and navy are the best security for
peace, are shown to be absolutely
false, by what is going on in Europe
now. In science facts talk, not
theories
81. The danger from war is here,
not in Europe. For Lincoln once
said: If danger ever reaches MS, il
must spring up among ourselves; il
cannot come from abroad.
80. Admirals Fletcher Badger,
Knight, Fiske, and General Miles and
Captain Simms, the highest author
tiles in our navy and army, have tes-
tilted that invasion OF our coasts
would be almost "insuperable"
33. None of the belligerents
desire to infringe upon the rights OF
neutrals, but they are fighting for
their lives and military necessity
compels them to ignore neutral
rights. For
81. Self-preseTvation is an I'M
alienable right; If you were fighting
Tor your life and the only effective
weapon in reach was forbidden by
international law and humanity,
would you lei your enemy kill you
rather than use the weapon? II an
individual is thus justified, q nation
is much more So
35 There is not ruler in Europe
who would not surrender his throne
for the sake of his people; each has
done what he thought right. 1t is
ridiculous therefore, to blame a
whole nation or think Of crushing it,
for who has the right to usurp the
functions of the Almighty?
36. There are four general atti-
tudes in the United States: Pro-Ally,
Pro-German, Anti-llnglish and neu
trail
81. We are pro-Engllsh by psych-
illogical necessity, for the words and
ideas fixed in the American mind are
English; our knowledge is in the
form Of English, not German, not
French Thus the sovereignty OF
English dominates us. The tree gets
its nutrition from where it is.
3S. These temporary divisions
have right to express their honest
opinions however at variance, for
freedom of thought means freedom
of thought, 10 call it license when we
do not agree with it, begs the ques
tion. Yet
80. We naturally sympathize with
one or tho other belligerent and how
over strong we may feel, sentiment
must be wholly excluded from scien-
tifc inquiry. But
40. Many friends have become
enemies through discussing the war.
IL was supposed that man could
reason out things without Quarreling
while the animal was incapable But
Al. The persistency of war feel
ing is so strong that very few persons
can change there opinion, and even
the most impartial natures seem to
lose their equilibrium in considera-
tion of war questions.
Az War feeling seems to be tenn
poraly insanity, for nations will be-
leve and say almost anything against
their enemies (no matter how honor
able) that they are not fit to exist,
even women and children. Yet be-
fore and after the war they did not
4 lty a hoI
tion.
43. Long exhaustive wars make
future wars more difficult, since the
large number killed and wounded
causes widespread grief and horror,
not to mention weight of enormous
debt.
"A. If we, the greatest Republic
Of the world, enter this war, after
continually preaching peace to other
nations, il will be the most terrible
setback to peace the world has ever
seen and VIII tend to draw in other
neutral nations and may even go SO
far as TO involve South America.
45. Ii is questionable humanity
TO plunge q nation into war for the
sake of humanity Ito murder in or
der to stop mnrder as II were) when
that nation is not being invaded and
every other nation desires TO live in
peace with IL. Humanity, like char
ity, begins at home.
46 1t Is a great evil to have out
rights to life and property disregard
ed on the sea, even II not with mall
icious intent; but 1t is q much
greater evil to plunge into war.
AZ. Whatever our opinions as 10
to war, we must not allow our SYM
pathies for any OF The bclIigcrents TO
: smother our Ameiicanism. We must
be Pro-American first, last and for-
ever.
AS. War is not only abnormal, but
belongs undcr the head of teratology
science which treats of all kinds
of monsters. Themonstrocity is mil-
/ itarism and navalism destroying
humanity.
40. The cure for war seems TO be
in its last analysis EDUCATIONAL.
Thus, ignorance, egotism and selfish
ness can be lessened by the increase
Of knowledge and humanitarian feel
ing, which tend to counteract ana
undermine the war spirit. For