New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
A Document in the Case

American who worked WlthlH Vilo NNi
lines for the relief of the inhabitants OF the
invaded districts. which seems to Inc
Tribune one of the most admirable docu-
ments so far published, setting forth the
truth of the German idea and method.
This article ought to be read by those who
are honestly and earnestly seeking light
and striving to get an accurate and just
understanding of what the German spirit
means to all of US.
Mr.. Kellogg went abroad as neutral
determined to remain neutral in act and
in attitude. He knew Germany and spoke
German. He lived with German officers
and at German headquarters, meeting
MANY of the leaders not merely In the
army but in German life and thought. lie
saw the German occupation as it actually
was from Lille to Charleville. He heard
IN. German case stated by Germans
Of his observations he writes
The danger from Germany is, have said,
that thu Germans believe what they say. Ana
thew act on this belief Professor Won Flus-
sen 10 German associate) says that this war
Ia necessary as a test of the German position
and claim. IL Germany is beaten 1t Will
proye that she has moved along the wrong
evolutionary line, and should be beaten II
she wins IL will prove that she is on the rlght
wsv. and that the rest Of the world, at least
that part which We and the Allies represent
is on the wrong way and should, 1or the sase
of the right evolution of the human race Do
stopped, and put on the right way-or else De
destroyed, as unit.
Professor Won Flussen is sure that Ger
m6nvs way is the right way, and that the
bioloyic evolutionary factors are so ail-con-
trolling in determining human destiny that
this beinv biologicslly right Is certain TO IN
sure German victory. If the wrong anS IN
natural alternative of an Allied victory
should obtain, then he would prefer to die
in the catastrophe and not have 10 1--we IN
world perversely resistant to natural law.
He means it all. He will act on this oehei,
He does act on it, indeed he opposes an
mercy, all compromise with human sol.-
baartedness. Apart from his horrible academic
casuistry and his conviction that the ihai-
vidual is nothing, the State all, he is reason
other Germans. But for him and them the
test of right in this struggle is success In IT,
So let every means to victory be used. The
only intelligence Germans should follow In
these DAYS is the intelligence of the General
staff; the only things to believe and TO re-
neat are the statements Of the official bureau
Of publicity.
There is no reasoning with this sort OF
thing. no finding Of any heart or soul IN H.
There is only one kind of answer: resistance
bv brutal force; war to a decision. 1t is the
onlv argument in rebuttal understandable of
these men at headquarters into whose hands
the German people have put their destiny.
And later he adds:
MILITARY advantage" military expedlen-
evp-how often have these phrases blocked
ne ~ the Relief Commission in our efforts IN
Belgium and Northern France! No mercy, no
women -and-chidren" appeals; no hesitation
to use the torch and the firing squad, deporta-
tion and enslavement. And it is all part OF
Professor Won Flussen's philosophy; the pale,
ascetic intellectual and the buriy, red-faced
butcher meet on common ground mere. ana
then they wonder why the world comes TO-
eether to resist this philosophy-and this
tutchery-to the death!
Mr.. Kellogg's conclusion is thus set
forth:
went into Northern France and Belgium
to act as a neutral, and did act as a neutral
all the time was there II | learned there
anything Of military value which could be
used against the Germans | shall not reveal
IT, But came out no neutral. Also l went
in an ardent hator OF war and came out a
more ardent one. ] have seen that side of the
-, tshfn oh
is worse than the side revealed on the battle
field. How | hope for the end Of all warl
But I have come out believing that that
cannot come until any people which has dedi-
Gated itself to the philosophy and practice OF
war as a means OF human advancement is put
into a position of impotence TO indulge its
belief at will. My conviction is that Ger
many 10 such people, and that it can be put
into this position only by the result Of war
itself. II knows no other argument and II
will accept no other decision.
The great difficulty in making the
American people realize the issue Of this
war is the lack Of first hand credible evil
dence. which would convince them Of what
Germany believes and what Germans
high and low-are doing and have been do
ing for three years. II only the mass OF
American people could see what a few
have seen, the mobilization Of American
sentiment and service would be instant and
complete.
Yet the real fact in this war is the Ger
man spirit, the dedication Of force, the sac
rifce Of right, honor, humanity TO that
higher law" which Is German ambition
and German desire for world power. II is