The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-11-17
Won Kissing AND BELGIUM

Won Kissing AND BELGIUM
- ENERAL Won Kissing was the trusted friend of the
IkJ Kaiser He entrusted with duty admins
tering Belgium for the German military and perform
& ed the task almost to the hour of his death
General Won Kissing had pronounced views the att
tude Germany should take toward Belgium He expressed
these views in memorandum printed after his death The
views expressed in letters written by him.
There is every to believe that Won Bssngs IDEAS
those that acate the Kaiser At least they entirely
contradictory the declarations of the foreign office
that there intention the part of Germany to effect
the annexation of Belgium Said Won Kissing letter Dr.
2Stresemann JAM IA, 1917
You and Herr =
p0G s AND na ahe % taf f a
onth subec I much fuherha Dc. am all
ss
.s. ~ which ..s ss y the tho for
of if
and or ass s b s It @ ae.s @h s a ps
e s.fI ss Il ssa ss
What is the Importance to the United ques
ton thought not relate to matters of sen
ent morality but to matters of material consequence
Germany France controls Belgium, what is the
difference?
The question would be difficult answer it not for
the evidence furnished by the
Belgium should not go to Germany because the acqus-
on would make Germany great sea power as well as great
land power control of Belgium would in future war;
enable Germany to strike sharply at France and Great
obtain perhaps the advantage necessary TO de1ea DOM
tries with the necessity of going through Belgium by
force the German armies almost reached Paris
But suppose Germany should conquer Great Britain and
Russia Italy, Serbia and the little countries
outside Of questions Of sentiment and morality why should
the United States be interested? What does matter to the
United States, who conquers who in Europe?
Germany dominating Europe might dominate the United
States The American people do not have that feeling Meth
with five millions Of in These Russians have been
pled like crackers, by people who at the time
are fighting most Of the rest of the world.
Russia is not the United States Very true But Russas
military power the beginning the war,
easuraby greater than the military Of the United
States
is most improbable that the American army of million
men, army which little while back scarcely 100000
effecves could have beaten down resisted the
German organization
dictate it will be true that Russia stronger in military
sense the out the United
But there $500 miles of between Germany and the
United States More than hundred years Napoleon
marched army Of 100000 from Paris to Moscow The
distance from Germany to America less, when modern
means of transportation considered.
material interests Of America demand that the military
power Of Germany shall but cut off now.
Suppose the to end draw is the proof that
the other countries will progress in efficiency? they do
not and Germany increases its power efficiency
what would be the probable result Of another war?
Suppose the ends not quite draw but that Ger
obtains hegomony hundred million peoples
which might easily be- and for period forty years
them in the system that has made modern Germany pow
erful2
One Of two things would normally occur The other coun
tries would strive for and obtain greater efficiency They
would become vast reservoirs military power Every pro-
ducer would not soldier back several
the balance of power against Germany might remain in
the Allies
But suppose the Allies relapse into their old habits Of
complacency Suppose Russia graft and dsor
eanizaon Suppose Great Britain falls Of adole
cence that characterized her at the close Suppose
the United States dsbapds its army and returns task
OF getting rich?
What then might happen? Plainly empire with its
seat in Berlin
The war Is 5000 miles away Keep it 5000 miles away
1t Is better to fight the other fellows territory than
own Keep the fighting there 1t whip powerful
opponent with crowd than to tackle him all Fight
while the crowd is on the Job.
General Won Kissing clearly enough GERMANY
needs to the United States to do